Balingup Post Office (fmr) & Post Master’s House

Child Places

• 23630 Balingup Post Office

Statement of Significance

This was the first purpose built Post Office in Balingup and the residence of the Post Master after the completion of a new post office in 1926. The pyramid shape of the roof and deep verandah give the building aesthetic value, which is complemented by the adjacent Post Office of 1926.

Physical Description

Located on the Lot directly adjacent to the west of the present post office, Balingup Post Office (fmr) and Post Master’s House is a single storey rendered brick building with a hipped corrugated iron roof in the Victorian Regency style (although constructed in the Federation era). A deep verandah runs across the front facade in a continuous pitch from the main roof. The bricks were handmade.

History

From 1886, Mrs. Eleanor Moore, Edmund Moore’s wife, operated the first post office at Balingup from his Nelson Arms Hotel. In 1897, proposed public works included a Post and Telegraph Office at Balingup at an estimated cost of £650. On 21 June 1898, the contract was awarded to P. Davern, with the lowest tender at a cost of £491.14s.3d. By 30 June, he was working on the site in Brockman St., opposite Balingup Railway Station. The so-called public and general office, with quarters of two rooms, a kitchen and store, front and rear verandahs, constructed of brick on concrete foundations, with an iron roof, and water tanks (1200 gals.), was completed in March 1899. In December, it was raised to a post and telegraph office. In the pre-World War I period, the successive postmistresses included Misses Ella Bradshaw, R. L. Pollard and F. Webb. In 1916, the Post Office became an ‘allowance’ office. In the early 1920s, the Soldier Settlement Scheme brought new settlers to the district, the population increased and the post and telegraph traffic grew.The two front rooms (facing north to the street) were the Post Office and Telegraph Office. The post master lived at the Hotel. The switchboard was located in the 'pantry' on the south west corner (rear) of the building. In January 1924, it was reported alterations and additions were to be made to the Post Office building at an estimated cost of £500. Subsequently it was decided it could not be satisfactorily re-modeled for official purposes and instead a new post office was built on the adjoining site, which was completed in 1926. Thereafter the former post office served as the Postmaster’s residential quarters. Later the switchboard was moved into the Post Office building next door. Calls after 8pm still came through to the Post Office House Switchboard. In 1963, the verandah was enclosed, minor alterations were made, and the place was renovated. In the late twentieth century, the practice of providing residential quarters for postmasters ceased, and the place was sold into private ownership. The enclosure of the verandah has been reversed.

Integrity/Authenticity

High. Some minor internal modifications

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.