Campbelltown Post Office

Last updated

Campbelltown Post Office (former)
Campbelltown2.JPG
The former post office, pictured in 2008.
Location261 Queen Street, Campbelltown, City of Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates 34°04′06″S150°48′44″E / 34.0684°S 150.8123°E / -34.0684; 150.8123
Built1881
Architect James Barnet
Architectural style(s) Victorian Italianate
Official nameCampbelltown Post Office (former); Campbelltown Post Office
TypeState heritage (built)
Designated2 April 1999
Reference no.265
TypePost Office
CategoryPostal and Telecommunications
Australia New South Wales relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Location of Campbelltown Post Office (former) in New South Wales

The Campbelltown Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office and now shops and office space at 261 Queen Street, Campbelltown, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It was designed by James Barnet and built in 1881. It is also known as Campbelltown Post Office (former). The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [1]

Contents

History

Permanent European settlement in the Campbelltown area had begun in 1809 as an alternative to the flood-prone Hawkesbury district. Work on a road from Sydney to Liverpool was started in 1811. It was opened in August 1814 and was soon extended further south to Appin. This road, variously known as Campbelltown Road, Appin Road or the Sydney Road, passed through Campbelltown. The section through the town was called the High Street until the last decade of the 19th century when it was renamed Queen Street. [1] [2]

The land on which the Queen Street cottages stand was part of a grant of 57 hectares (140 acres) to Joseph Phelps in 1816. He had been working the land for some years before receiving formal title to it. Phelps was one of the farmers of Airds and Appin who subscribed funds for a Sydney courthouse in July 1813. His grant was seized, possibly as soon as it was formally issued, by the provost marshal, William Gore, in lieu of payment by Phelps of debts totalling £170. The land was auctioned in January 1817 to William Bradbury for £100 plus twelve cattle and the grain produced from the crop growing on the land. [1] [2]

Immediately north of Phelps' grant, Assistant Surveyor James Meehan had informally reserved 71 hectares (175 acres) for a village. [3] In 1816 most of the land in the area was granted, leaving a portion of 175 acres unalienated, and surrounded by several grants. [1] [4]

The reserved land was formally declared a town by Governor Macquarie in December 1820 and named Campbelltown in honour of his wife (Elizabeth)'s family. [1] [2]

William Bradbury (1774-1836) a native of Birmingham, was transported to NSW aboard the Guildford in 1812. His wife Elizabeth remained in England but his daughter, Mary (1797-1852) followed her father to Australia in 1815. Bradbury had no other children in NSW, though he established a relationship with a woman named Alice and in April 1836 married a Campbelltown widow, Catherine Patrick, née Acres (c. 1801-1883). Bradbury died two months later. [1] [2]

Governor Macquarie visited Campbelltown in January 1822. He and his party ate a "hearty" breakfast at 'Bradbury's', indicating that Bradbury had built an inn. This was probably the inn later known as the Royal Oak, on the western side of the High Street. Macquarie noted in his journal that 'Bradbury is building a very good two storey brick house on his own farm and on a very pretty eminence immediately adjoining Campbell-Town as an inn for the accommodation of the public, and having asked me to give his farm a name, I have called it Bradbury Park. In 1826 Bradbury Park House was considered by William Dumaresq, inspector of roads and bridges, as the best building in Campbelltown when he reported on buildings suitable for military use. [1] [2]

As the main street of Campbelltown, High Street or Sydney Road and later Queen Street, was at the edge of town, one side of the street was not within the town boundary while the other was. Canny traders soon realised that either side of the main road was as good as the other and leased or bought land from the grantees bordering the town proper. By the 1840s more than a few shops and hotels occupied the western side of the High Street. The coming of the railway in 1858 also aided in securing the commercial focus of the town on Queen Street. [1] [4]

The Queen Street terraces were identified by Helen Baker (Proudfoot) in the early 1960s as a unique group of two-storey late Georgian vernacular buildings which were considered to form the only surviving late-1840s streetscape within the County of Cumberland. The buildings were acquired by the Cumberland County Council and its successors, the State Planning Authority and Department of Planning, to ensure their preservation. [1] [2]

Campbelltown Post Office (former)

The Commercial Banking Company (CBC) of Sydney opened its first (leased) Campbelltown office in 1874, across the other side of Queen Street. [5] AMCG (1994, 14) states that CBC bought 263 Queen Street from Samuel Parker (not Morris) in 1876 and had the present bank building built in 1881. The bank moved into its new premises in 1881. [5] [1]

The bank sold a portion of the land it bought from Parker in 1880. The land was purchased in the name of the Queen for a new post office. That building was completed the same year as the CBC chambers. [6] [1]

Campbellttown was one of the seven first country postal depots in New South Wales., with postmaster John Scarr appointed in 1828. Constructed in 1881 and designed by James Barnet. A small central pedimented panel containing a clock, designed by local architect A. R. Payten was inserted in 1883. [1]

In 1959 the bank sold off another portion of its 1876 purchase to the Commonwealth of Australia, presumably for the creation of a telephone exchange. [6] [1]

Following the sale of the Post Office and as a requirement of the sale, the Commonwealth Government sought the placement of a Permanent Conservation Order over the building. A Permanent Conservation Order was placed over the building on 22 July 1983. It was transferred to the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. [1]

Description

The former Post office is a two storied rendered brick classical revival building, with three semi-circular arches in the front bay facade under the front verandah. Victorian Italianate style balcony and clock added 1893 by A. R. Payten the small two storey building has a three-arch arcade at ground level and verandah above, with a small central pedimented panel containing a clock, reputedly designed by local architect A. R. payten and inserted in 1883. It is adjoined by a small single storey block with a typical 19th century verandah. There is a single storey wing on the north side of the building. [1]

Modifications and dates

Heritage listing

As at 7 July 2008, Campbelltown Post Office has historical significance as one of the seven first country postal depots in New South Wales, with postmaster John Scarr appointed in 1828. Design by James Barnet and constructed in 1881 in the Italianate style it is a significant building in the Campbelltown streetscape and is a good example of a small country town post office. [1] [7]

Campbelltown Post Office was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The Post Office makes an important contribution to the streetscape of Queen Street, Campbelltown. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbelltown, New South Wales</span> City in New South Wales, Australia

Campbelltown is a suburb located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney 53 kilometres (33 mi) south-west of the Sydney central business district by road. Campbelltown is the administrative seat of the local government area of the City of Campbelltown. It is also acknowledged on the register of the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales as one of only four cities within the Sydney metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Campbelltown (New South Wales)</span> Local government area in New South Wales, Australia

The City of Campbelltown is a local government area in the Macarthur region of south-western Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia. The area is located about 55 kilometres (34 mi) south west of the Sydney central business district and comprises 312 square kilometres (120 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appin, New South Wales</span> Town in New South Wales, Australia

Appin is a town on the south-west fringe of Sydney in the Macarthur Region in Tharawal country near its boundary with Gandangara country, New South Wales, Australia in Wollondilly Shire. It is situated about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) south of Campbelltown and 35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of Wollongong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Department of Lands Building</span> Heritage-listed government building in Sydney, Australia

The Department of Lands building is a heritage-listed state government administrative building of the Victorian Renaissance Revival architectural style located in Bridge Street in the Sydney central business district of New South Wales, Australia. The large three-storey public building was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and built in different stages, with Walter Liberty Vernon and William Edmund Kemp designing various components of the building. The builder was John Young.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

The Wellington Post Office is a heritage-listed post office located at 21 Maughan Street, Wellington in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Colonial Architect’s Office, under the direction of James Barnet, and built between 1869 and 1904. The property, which is owned by Australia Post, was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bourke Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Bourke Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 47 Oxley Street, Bourke, in the Orana region of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet and built in 1880 by E. Heseler. It is also known as Bourke Post and Telegraph Office. The property is owned by the Keane Family Trust. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken Hill Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Broken Hill Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 258–260 Argent Street, Broken Hill, in the Far West of New South Wales, Australia. The original building was designed by James Barnet, and was built from 1890 to 1892 by John Dobbie. Walter Liberty Vernon designed a telegraph office addition in 1900. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 08 November 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forbes Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Forbes Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 118 Lachlan Street, Forbes, Forbes Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the New South Wales Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet and built from 1879 to 1881 by P. M. Vaughan. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenterfield Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

The Tenterfield Post Office is a heritage-listed post office located at 225 Rouse Street, Tenterfield, Tenterfield Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by NSW Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet and built from 1881 to by T. & J. McGuaran, later T. A. Lewis. It is also known as the Tenterfield Post Office and Quarters. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 17 December 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamworth Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

The Tamworth Post Office is a State heritage-listed post office located on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Peel Street, Tamworth in the Tamworth Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet and built by W. C. Cains. The property is owned by Australia Post and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiama Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Kiama Post Office is a heritage-listed post office at 24 Terralong Street, Kiama, Municipality of Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. and built by W. R. Vaughan. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange Post Office</span> Historic commonwealth heritage site in New South Wales, Australia

The Orange Post Office is a heritage-listed post office located at 221 Summer Street, Orange, City of Orange, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office under James Barnet and built by J. Douglas. The property is owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Sydney Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

The North Sydney Post Office is a heritage-listed post office located at 92-94 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, North Sydney Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office under the direction of James Barnet, and built from 1885 to 1889 by James Reynolds. The property is owned by Australia Post, an agency of the Australian Government. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Richmond Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office at 286 Windsor Street, Richmond, City of Hawkesbury, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and built from 1875 to 1888. The original building was built by a Mr. Johnson, with the second-story addition in 1888 added by Samuel Bought. It is also known as Richmond Telegraph and Post Office. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 23 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dredges Cottage</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Dredges Cottage is a heritage-listed former cottage and now office located at 303 Queen Street, Campbelltown in the City of Campbelltown local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The property is owned by Campbelltown City Council. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Campbelltown Branch (former)</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Commercial Banking Company of Sydney (CBC), Campbelltown Branch is a heritage-listed former restaurant, offices and bank building and now medical centre located at 263 Queen Street, Campbelltown in the City of Campbelltown local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Mansfield Brothers and built from 1874 to 1881. It is also known as Old CBC Bank; CBC Bank. The property is privately owned. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warbys Barn and Stables</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Warbys Barn and Stables is a heritage-listed former barns and now commercial building at 14 - 20 Queen Street, Campbelltown in the City of Campbelltown local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Warby and built in 1816. It is also known as Warbys Barn and Warbys Stables, The Leumeah Barn, Leumeah Barn Restaurant and Campbelltown Motor Inn. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Street Buildings</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Queen Street Buildings are a group of heritage-listed former shops and hotel at 284 - 298 Queen Street, Campbelltown in the City of Campbelltown local government area of New South Wales, Australia: built by John Doyle (hotel), William Bursill and Cobb and Bocking. It is also known as Queen Street Buildings Group, McGuanne House, Old Railway Hotel, William Bursill's Shop and The Coach House. The property is owned by Minister For Administering The Environmental & Planning Act, 1979. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<i>Denfield</i> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Denfield is a heritage-listed former farm homestead complex, residence, inn and farm and now residence located at Appin Road, St Helens Park in the City of Campbelltown local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1837 by John Farley. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redfern Post Office</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Redfern Post Office is a heritage-listed former residence and now post office located at 113 Redfern Street in the inner western Sydney suburb of Redfern in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office under James Barnet and built by Goddard and Pittman. The property is owned by Australia Post, an agency of the Australian Government. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Campbelltown Post Office (former)". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning & Environment. H00265. Retrieved 1 June 2018. CC BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Orwell & Peter Phillips, 1995, vol.2, 1-2
  3. ↑ AMCG, 1994 say "in 1815".
  4. 1 2 AMCG, 1994, 9.
  5. 1 2 Branch Manager's report, 100/85, 26/3/1985
  6. 1 2 AMCG, 1994, 14
  7. ↑ Heritage Office file.

Bibliography

Attribution

CC BY icon-80x15.png This Wikipedia article was originally based on Campbelltown Post Office (former) , entry number 00265 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 1 June 2018.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Campbelltown Post Office at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.