Northam Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northam Post Office |
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| Location | 239-243 Fitzgerald Street, Northam, Western Australia, Australia |
| Official name: Northam Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 22 June 2004 |
| Reference no. | 105528 |
| Official name: Northam Post Office & Quarters | |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 2 September 1997 |
| Reference no. | 1867 |
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The Northam Post Office is a special old building in Northam, Western Australia. It's located on Fitzgerald Street. This post office is considered a 'heritage-listed' site. This means it's an important historical place that needs to be protected. It was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004.
Contents
History of Northam's Post Office
Early Postal Services (1840s-1890s)
Postal services began in Northam in the 1840s. J. T. Cooke opened the very first post office. Later, from 1861, the postmaster, George Throssell, ran the postal services from his own business.
However, local people soon wanted a separate building just for the post and telegraph office. So, the first official Northam Post Office was built in 1873. It was located on Wellington and Hawes Street.
Growing Needs and New Buildings
In the early 1890s, a big storm damaged the 1873 building. Repairs and additions were made. But after the Western Australian gold rushes in the 1890s, Northam's population grew a lot. The old post office was too small.
People asked for a bigger, more central post office. In 1892-93, the building was made larger. But it was still not enough. So, a new, much larger post office was planned between 1905 and 1909.
Building the Current Post Office (1905-1909)
In February 1905, the federal Postmaster-General's Department (which managed postal services) suggested moving the Northam Post Office. By July, land was bought for the new building.
At first, Hillson Beasley, a State Government architect, drew up plans. But there were delays as different government departments discussed the designs. Finally, new plans were likely prepared by architects John Smith Murdoch and Horace Mackennal.
The new post office was finished on December 10, 1908. It opened for business on February 1, 1909. At the same time, telephone wires were put underground. The new building even used the clock from the old 1873 post office.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the Northam Post Office has seen some changes. Around 1923, telegraph operations moved to a new telephone exchange building nearby. In 1936, the rear yard was changed to help with mail delivery by motor vehicles.
The old 1873 post office clock, which was no longer working, was removed in 1957. In 1961-62, the building had major updates. New toilets and staff areas were added. The building was also well-maintained.
More changes happened around 1966-68. A laundry and garage were added to the back. The living quarters for the postmaster were updated around 1985. In 1994, the main postal hall was updated to match modern Australia Post designs.
What the Northam Post Office Looks Like
The Northam Post Office is a large building made of red brick. It has one and two stories. There's also a residence (a home) located at the back. It sits on a corner where Gordon Street and Fitzgerald Street meet.
Fitzgerald Street is the main road into Northam. The town hall and library are also nearby. These are important buildings too.
The Building's Design
The post office building has a unique design from the Federation period. It has two parts that stick out, one facing Gordon Street and one facing Fitzgerald Street. These parts form an 'L' shape around the main postal hall and verandah.
The building's red brick walls have white stucco bands. This creates a strong contrast. It also has many windows and decorative brickwork. A special roof over the corner postal hall makes it stand out.
There's a wide verandah that wraps around the corner. This verandah helps separate the public post office area from the private living area. The living quarters look more like a typical Federation-style house.
Inside the Post Office
Inside, the post office has three main sections. These sections were part of the original plan for a combined post office and home. There are covered walkways (arcades) on both sides of the part that sticks out onto Fitzgerald Street.
One arcade leads to the retail shop. The other has been changed into a lobby for post office boxes. You enter the main building through automatic sliding doors. The large postal hall inside has been divided by walls.
These walls create separate areas for staff, a strong room, and a lunch room. There's also a mail sorting area and a post office box lobby. Other service areas include a plant room and storage.
The Residence
A door inside the post office leads to the residence. This door goes straight to the main stairs to the first floor. On the ground floor, there's a lounge, dining room, kitchen, and pantry.
Upstairs, there are four bedrooms. A renovated bathroom is also located on the first floor. There's a small toilet and screened area on the upper balcony.
Why Northam Post Office is Important
The Northam Post Office was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
Historical Significance
The building was built in 1908. It shows how postal services grew in Western Australia's country areas. This happened when the Commonwealth Post Department and the Western Australian Public Works Department worked together.
It's also special because it was designed to be both a post office and a home for the postmaster. This combined design is quite rare for post offices in Australia.
Architectural Style
The Northam Post Office is a great example of the "Federation Free Style" of architecture. This style was popular for public buildings during that time. It uses strong contrasting red brick and white details.
The design of the public hall is very clever. It has high windows that make it feel grand and important. The building is a landmark in Northam. It stands out in the town's streets.
The important parts of the Northam Post Office are the main 1908 postal building and the residential wing. Some newer additions, like the 1960s toilets, garages, and sheds, are not considered historically significant.
