Temora Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temora Post Office |
|
|---|---|
Temora Post Office, 2010
|
|
| Location | 173 Hoskins Street, Temora, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1903-4 |
| Official name: Temora Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 106129 |
| Builders | Rigby Brothers |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Temora Post Office is a special historic building located at 173 Hoskins Street in Temora, Australia. It's a very old post office that has been recognized for its importance. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on November 8, 2011. This means it's a protected building because of its history and unique design.
Contents
A Look Back: Temora's History
Temora started as a small farming area in the 1860s. But then, something exciting happened in 1879: gold was discovered! This brought many people to the area, and Temora grew into a large town with about 20,000 residents by the 1880s. German settlers also came to the area from the 1850s.
The town continued to grow when a railway line was built to Temora in 1893. This made Temora an important center for growing wheat and raising sheep for wool.
The First Post Office and the Fire
After the railway arrived, a post office was built in Temora. However, disaster struck in 1901 when a big fire destroyed many buildings in the town, including the post office.
Building the Current Post Office
The post office you see today was built between 1903 and 1904. It cost £2,448 to build, and the construction company was Rigby Brothers. The building was designed by the New South Wales Government Architect's Office. This office was led by Walter Liberty Vernon, and George Oakeshott was the architect in charge of designing post offices.
The postmaster, who was in charge of the post office, moved into the living area on the first floor on April 11, 1904. It's believed that the beautiful banisters and counters inside were carved by Robert Cutting, Snr.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, some parts of the building have changed. For example, the old telephone exchange at the back is now a local museum. Some old telephone booths and stamp machines have been removed. A ramp was added to the front to make it easier for everyone to enter.
New buildings have also been added at the back. These include a staff room, a room for incoming mail, and a platform for handling large packages. There's also a carport and a garden shed.
What the Post Office Looks Like
The Temora Post Office is located at 173 Hoskins Street. It faces southwest and is part of a very impressive street with many buildings from the Federation period. This area was mostly rebuilt after the big fire in 1901.
Outside the Building
The post office has a unique design with two towers on the corners. Each tower has a wide arched opening at its base. The building is made of dark pink and brown bricks. You can also see special wall vents with a crown symbol, which were common in government buildings.
The left tower has a round "bulls-eye" window with nine glass panes. This tower also has a simple arch for the main entrance. There are concrete steps and a steel handrail leading to the entrance porch. The porch has a tiled floor and a painted timber ceiling.
The middle part of the building used to be the main postal hall on the ground floor. Above it was an open verandah for the living quarters. The verandah has two pillars that support the roof.
The building has three main chimneys that look like they belong in a fairy tale. They are tapered and covered in a rough plaster, topped with tall, narrow terracotta pots.
On the west side, there's a projecting section with tall windows. A side door here leads to the stairs for the old living quarters. The stair window has beautiful leadlight glass in an Art Nouveau design.
At the back of the building, there's a door to the laundry with a cool pressed metal hood. You'll also find a timber garden shed and a steel/timber carport. The garden area has brick and corrugated iron fences.
The back of the post office yard is paved. There's a steel canopy to protect delivery trucks and a small shed that used to shelter bicycles.
Inside the Building
The main area, called the general office, has been updated for modern postal services. It has carpeted floors and new displays. But many original features are still there, like the windows and decorative ceilings. A new ceiling has been installed, which hides the air conditioning.
The main office is separated from other areas by modern walls. The room where postal boxes are filled has vinyl flooring and original windows.
The sorting room is in a single-story part of the building. It has original timber-framed windows.
The Post Master's Office is in a projecting section on the east side. It has two windows and a fireplace that has been sealed up. One of its doors is original and has a special pattern.
Other rooms like the rear office, stationery storeroom, kitchen, and laundry still have some original features like old windows, timber ceilings, and fireplaces. The kitchen has a 1950s sink.
There's also an enclosed verandah with a timber ceiling and concrete floor. The toilets are in a separate building outside. Most of the inside is painted grey, but you can still see hints of an older cream color.
How Well It's Kept
The building is in good shape overall. There are a few places where salt damp has caused some issues, and some roof tiles have slipped. Some painted areas outside need a touch-up. Inside, there's normal wear and tear. But for an old building, it's very well preserved, even with the changes over the years.
Why Temora Post Office is Special
The Temora Post Office was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on November 8, 2011, because it meets several important criteria.
Important History
The Temora Post Office, built in 1904, was more than just a place to send letters. It also had a home for the postmaster and a telephone exchange (which is now a museum). It has been a very important building for the town of Temora since the early 1900s. It was rebuilt after a big fire and right after Australia became a federation, making it a key part of the town's historic streetscape.
Unique Design and Style
The Temora Post Office is a great example of a post office from the Federation period (1870-1929). It was designed by the New South Wales State Government Architect's office. It shows an unusual mix of Arts and Crafts style with some Japanese influences. Its design uses round arches, brickwork, and rough plaster. It also has unique roof shapes and an interesting layout that fits its different uses. It's one of the best-preserved two-story post offices from that time.
Beautiful Appearance
The Temora Post Office is a lively and well-designed building from the Federation era. Its mix of Arts and Crafts and Japanese styles makes it stand out. It adds a lot to the impressive and consistent look of Hoskins Street, which was mostly rebuilt after the big fire in 1901.
Community Value
The building is also important to the people of Temora. It has been a key part of the town's main street for over 100 years, serving the community and becoming a familiar landmark.
