Northam Post Office & Quarters

Author

Shire of Northam

Place Number

01867

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Location

239-243 Fitzgerald St Northam

Location Details

Local Government

Northam

Region

Avon Arc

Construction Date

Constructed from 1909

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
Commonwealth List	Adopted	22 Jun 2004		Heritage Council
Heritage List	Adopted	19 Feb 2020
State Register	Registered	02 Sep 1997	Register Entry Assessment Documentation	Heritage Council

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Classified by the National Trust	Classified	08 Apr 1980			Heritage Council
Statewide Post Office Survey	Completed	01 Mar 1992			Heritage Council
Register of the National Estate	Permanent	28 Sep 1982			Heritage Council
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	25 Feb 1998	1.Exceptional significance	1.Exceptional significance Essential to the heritage of the locality. Rare or outstanding example. The place should be retained and conserved unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative to doing otherwise. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and be in accordance with a Conservation Plan (if one exists for the place).

Statement of Significance

Northam Post Office building has aesthetic and architectural significance as an imposing example of a Federation Free style, characteristic of many public buildings of the period. Its distinctive design responds to the corner and has a strong visual impact in the streetscape of the main commercial street of Northam. It has social significance as a central focus, and has a sense of place, for communication for residents of the Northam district.

Physical Description

The one and two storey red brick building addresses the corner site, with the two storey residential section facing the secondary street. The single storey post office facades are ornate with gabled pediments with ornate stucco features and round window motifs. The roof line is irregular, with various sections. The building features mortared string courses throughout and ornate arched windows on the Fitzgerald Street facade. Two verandahs are supported by substantial mortared columns. A clock tower with a cupola style roof, and a large chimney topped with four terracotta pots feature on the roof.

History

This Post Office was built in 1909, replacing the earlier building in Hawes Street. The clock was moved from the old building in 1909, into the clock tower where it remained until it was removed after deterioration in 1957. The Post Office has always been central to life in the Northam District, and it continues to play an important role in Northam.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High degree
Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Good

Associations

Name	Type	Year From	Year To
PWD Hillson Beasley	Architect	1909	-

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	1998 Municipal Inventory	Town of Northam	1998

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	Transport\Communications	Comms: Post or Telegraph Office
Original Use	Transport\Communications	Comms: Post or Telegraph Office

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Free Style

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Other	RENDER	Smooth
Wall	BRICK	Common Brick

Historic Themes

General	Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Mail services
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Telecommunications

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

21 Feb 2020

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.