South Perth Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Perth Post Office |
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| Location | 103 Mill Point Road, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Official name: South Perth Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 105370 |
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The South Perth Post Office is a special old building in South Perth, Australia. It is located at 103 Mill Point Road. This building is important because it is on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List. This means it is protected for its history and unique features. It was added to the list on November 8, 2011.
Contents
History of the Post Office
The South Perth area was once a sandy, swampy place. But it grew into a lovely spot near Perth. Around 1898, after the gold rush, people wanted fun places to visit. The Zoological Gardens and Mineral Baths opened in South Perth. Many people visited the Zoo, often taking a ferry across the Swan River to Mends Street Jetty. From there, they could walk or take a tram to the Zoo.
Mends Street became a busy area with many shops. The South Perth Post Office is one of these old buildings. Even after a bridge was built over the Swan River in the 1950s, the ferry service kept Mends Street important.
Early Mail Service
Before Australia became a single country (this is called Federation), each state ran its own postal service. By 1898, South Perth needed its own Post and Telegraph Office. The first postmistress, Theresa O'Dea, ran it from a room in the Windsor Hotel. She handled about 50 letters a day! That building is still there, across from the current post office.
Building the New Post Office
In 1900, a spot was chosen for a new, bigger post office. It was on Mill Point Road. The building was finished in 1901 and cost about £1,764 (which is about $3,528 today). It even had living quarters for the postmistress, Miss J. Benson.
The Public Works Department (PWD) of Western Australia designed and built it. They often used standard designs and changed them a little for each location. The South Perth Post Office likely used a standard design called PWD Standard Plan Class D. Famous architects like J. H. Grainger and Hillson Beasley worked on the plans.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the post office's role changed.
- In 1905, it became an "Allowance Office."
- In 1911, it became an "Official" office.
- In 1939, its name changed to Mends Street.
- It went back to an "Allowance Office" in 1941, then "Official" again in 1948.
- Finally, in 1982, its name changed back to South Perth Post Office.
These changes show how the area grew and how the postal service adapted. The building has also had some updates. Parts of the back were rebuilt, and new sections were added. In 1981, the back yard was paved for parking. In the mid-1990s, the building was updated inside and out. Today, the post office no longer handles telephone or telegraph services.
More recently, around 2005, garden areas and a picket fence were put back. The roof was also replaced. Some windows and doors have been changed or put back to how they were. New post office boxes have been added to the building's outside walls. Inside, some walls were removed to make the shop area bigger. The building has been updated with modern features like new lighting and shelving.
What the Post Office Looks Like
The South Perth Post Office is on a busy corner where Mill Point Road and Mends Street meet. This area was once the main business hub of South Perth. The Zoological Gardens are also nearby.
The building is important because it is part of a group of historic buildings in the area. These include the Old Mill Theatre, Heritage House Cultural Centre, the Police Station, and the Windsor Hotel. These old brickwork buildings stand freely with gardens around them. This helps them keep their old-fashioned look, even though they are in a busy commercial area.
The post office is a simple, single-story building. It used to have living quarters attached. It is made of red brick and originally had a wavy metal roof, called corrugated iron. It also has wooden window frames and doors. There were chimneys made of brick for the fireplaces inside.
The front of the building, facing Mill Point Road, looks balanced. It has a verandah (a covered porch) that wraps around. The building has red brick walls and white painted details. The white verandah woodwork makes it look even nicer. Tall red brick chimneys stick up from the white hipped roof.
Inside, the post office still has two main parts. These parts were originally for the post office and the home. The front part is now a large shop area where you can buy things and send mail. The back areas are used for staff rooms, offices, and sorting mail.
Why it's a Heritage Site
The South Perth Post Office was built in 1901. It is important because it was one of the first post offices finished in Western Australia after Australia became a federation in January 1901. This means it shows an early link between the state government and the new Commonwealth government.
It is also important because it looks nice and is part of a special group of old buildings. These include the Old Mill Theatre, Heritage House Cultural Centre, the Police Station, and the Windsor Hotel. Together, these buildings and their gardens create a unique and beautiful scene in the busy street.
