Southern Cross Post Office

Statement of Significance

The discovery of gold in 1888 and the subsequent influx of prospectors and miners in the area resulted in the need for postal and communication links to and from the district. A post office was opened at Golden Valley in July 1888, and with the increase in the volume of mail, a weekly horse and cart contract service was established. When gold was found in greater quantity at Southern Cross, many people moved there and the post office at Golden Vally was moved to Southern Cross. The telegraph lines arrived in Southern Cross before the building was completed, so Mr Harvey, the officer in charge, set up his apparatus in the middle of the street, protected by a large umbrella. The Southern Cross Post Office became a post and telegraph office in February 1892.
With Federation in 1901, the Post Office and Residence remained under Commonwealth control, while the remaining Offices came under State control.
The significance of the Southern Cross Post Office has been recognised by the Heritage Council of WA, and the building was entered on the Register of Heritage Places on a Permanent basis in February 1996.

Physical Description

The Commonwealth began construction of this Post Office, Residence, Court House and Mining Registrar's Offices, all under one roof, in 1891-2. The Post Office was constructed one year prior to the adjoining Warden's Court which shares a common wall with the Post Offfice Residence. The Post Office is a single storey building, designed by George Temple Poole, the eminent Government architect, and built by J S Bruce. The outer walls of the Post Office are bonded brick with rendered plinths to window sill height and rendered architraves. The bricks were made of sun dried clay with mud bonding. The external masonry has been painted. The corrugated iron roof extends to form a verandah supported by
timber posts to the south and east elevations. The residence is located to the northern end of the building and consisted of 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom and laundry. Alterations and additions were carried out in 1929. Since then the building has been painted and the original picket fence has been removed.

History

Themes: Transport and Communications
Sub Themes: Post Office/ Residence

Integrity/Authenticity

Most of the original fabric is intact

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.