Leonora Post Office

Statement of Significance

The Post Office is a landmark building with its dominant roof form in its corner location. The place contributes to the streetscape, continuing the scale and character of Tower Street enhanced by its verandah that extends over the pavement.

Physical Description

was supported on stop-chamfered timber posts with capital mouldings and decorative brackets, the roof is now supported on plain galvanised iron columns free of any decoration.
The building is in stretcher bond brickwork and has double-hung sash windows which are divided into four panes, with plain rendered sills.
The building is 'L' shaped in plan and comprises postal facilities - public space, mail room, operation room, battery room and store - and living quarters (built 1906) - living room, three bedrooms, kitchen, rear verandah and rear court The postal facilities are along the Tower Street facade and the living quarters are at the Trump Street facade. The entrance to the public space is at the building's truncation and is accessed via concrete steps (addition). Access to the living quarters is off Trump Street A passage extends from the street through the quarters to the rear verandah.
The interior of the building retains original ceilings and skylights but alterations to the interior have been made, including the installation of lightweight partitions, new service counter (in the same location as the original counter), new lighting and a new entry door. Other alterations have been made to the place including toilet additions to the rear, and a new concrete verandah floor to both street elevations. The verandah floor is now higher than what was originally detailed and now partially covers the low wall vents. Some wall vents were replaced. One window on the Tower Street elevation' has been reduced in size to accommodate Private Letter Boxes that were installed outside the mail room.
The interior of the postal facilities appear to function as originally intended (access was denied to the mail room and the former living quarters); however, half the public space has been partitioned and privately leased for VCR video hire.

History

The building without living quarters was completed in September 1897. The office section of the Post Office is virtually identical to the Norseman Post Office, designed by Government Architect George Temple-Poole. the living quarters were added in 1906.
The Mount Leonora Post and Telegraph Station opened for business on 22 September 1897. The Station Master and Assistant operated from a wood frame and galvanised iron building that consisted of a public office, mail room, operating room and Post Master's room with surrounding verandahs. This building was constructed by Muir and Wright for a cost of £599.
The rapid growth of the town in the following few years saw more staff employed and more delivery services. In 1900 the Public Works Department drew up plans for more a substantial Post Office. This brick and iron construction consisted of a public office, mail room, post master's room, money order office and savings bank, telegraph room, operating room and battery room. The old office was to be adapted for living quarters. In December 1900 these plans were being considered by the Post Master Generals Office and £500 was allocated for their construction in the financial year 1900/1901. (I have been unable to verify the exact completion date of the post office but assume that it was in the first half of 1901. The Leonora Miner would probably clarify the date.)
Further additions of the living quarters were completed on 31 May 1906 for a total of £344. A new storage shed was built in January 1911 and apparently the old post office no longer exists in any form on the site.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High
AUTHENTICITY: High

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.