North Adelaide Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Adelaide Post Office |
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The building in 1890
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| Location | 166 Tynte Street, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Official name: North Adelaide Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 106136 |
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The North Adelaide Post Office is a special old building in North Adelaide, South Australia. It is a heritage-listed post office, meaning it is protected because of its history and importance. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 8 November 2011.
Contents
History of the North Adelaide Post Office
The North Adelaide Post Office was built between 1883 and 1884. It was part of a bigger building that also included the North Adelaide Institute and a large hall. The Institute was a place for community activities and learning.
Money for the Institute and hall came from public donations. These parts of the building were designed by Edward J. Woods. The foundation stone for the Institute was laid by Governor Sir William Robinson in September 1883.
The Institute and hall opened in April 1884. The post office part, which handled mail, telegrams, and early telephone calls, opened in November 1884. The post office also had a home upstairs for the postmaster.
Over the years, the building changed a bit. In 1885, more rooms were added to the back of the Institute hall. After 1911, a small, one-story addition was built on the western side of the Institute.
Around 1975, a new section was added to the east and back of the building. This included a lobby for PO boxes and new offices. Some of the original parts were changed during this work.
Later, in the 1980s or 1990s, the retail area inside the post office was updated. The one-story addition on the western end, built after 1911, was taken down after 1989. Today, the Institute part of the building is used by the North Adelaide Community Centre and Library.
What the Building Looks Like
The North Adelaide Institute and Post Office is located at 166 Tynte Street. It is unique because it combines a cultural center with a post office. Tynte Street was an important area in North Adelaide, full of public buildings.
The original building had two main parts, showing its dual use. The Institute section stuck out a bit more. The Post Office section was set back slightly. Both parts were connected by their look and materials.
The building uses salmon-red bricks on the front and sides. It has a special textured base on the ground floor. There are columns and arches around the windows. Molded decorative strips mark the different floor levels.
A decorative wall, called a parapet, runs along the top. Both parts of the building have central triangular shapes, called pediments, at the top. The main entrances to both the Institute and the post office are set back in arched openings.
The side of the post office building matches the front. The Institute's side was simpler, but it was later changed to add a two-bay extension. This extension has since been removed, and the original look restored.
Condition and How Well it is Preserved
The outside of the North Adelaide Institute and Post Office is still very much like it was originally. Even though some parts were added to the back and side in 1975, these changes didn't affect the main look of the building from Tynte Street.
Some small changes were made, like covering one ground floor section on the east side. A window was also changed into a door. The original painted decorations have been repainted. Some signs and outdoor equipment have been added. But overall, the building's original structure is still there.
Inside the post office, many original features are still in good condition. This is true for both levels of the building. Even though some changes were made to the ground floor in 1975 and other updates happened over time, the main layout is still clear.
The building seems to be strong and well-kept, both inside and out. There are a few small cracks in some walls and a bit of dampness in one corner. A few window parts also need some repair. But generally, the building is in good shape.
Why it is Heritage Listed
The North Adelaide Post Office was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 8 November 2011. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site.
This building is special because it brought together a post office, telegraph office, telephone exchange, and a community institute with a hall and library. It shows how private citizens and public services worked together. It met the community's need for a library and cultural space, as well as modern communication services.
The post office played a big role in North Adelaide. It was one of many important public buildings built during a time when North Adelaide was growing and confident. Other buildings from this time include the Art Gallery and the Public Baths.
The North Adelaide Post Office is rare because it combines a cultural center with a post office. It shows how postal and telegraph services worked, often with homes for the postmaster. Its large size also shows its importance in North Adelaide.
The building's style is called Italianate, with some Free Romanesque touches. It's a beautiful example of public architecture from that time. It uses salmon-red bricks, stone, and decorative moldings. These features give the building a strong and attractive look.
The North Adelaide Post Office has been a key public place in the community for a long time. It has provided many services, including mail, public events, and a library. The building was designed by important architects of the time, Edward J. Woods and Charles Owen-Smyth.
The most important parts of the North Adelaide Institute and Post Office are the original sections built between 1883 and 1885.
