Townsville Post Office (former)
- 600911
- 252-270 Flinders Street, Townsville
General
- Also known as
- The Brewery
- Classification
- State Heritage
- Register status
- Entered
- Date entered
- 30 May 2003
- Type
- Communications: Post and telegraph office
- Themes
- 5.7 Moving goods, people and information: Telecommunications
- 5.8 Moving goods, people and information: Postal services
- Builder
- Kellcher, Dennis
- Construction period
- 1886–1888, Townsville Post Office (former) (1886 - 1888)
- Historical period
- 1870s–1890s Late 19th century
- Style
- Italianate
Location
- Address
- 252-270 Flinders Street, Townsville
- LGA
- Townsville City Council
- Coordinates
- -19.25859513, 146.81831922
Map
Street view
Photography is provided by Google Street View and may include third-party images. Images show the vicinity of the heritage place which may not be visible.
Significance
Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.
The Post Office is a most significant building of its type and in its particular location. It is a fine example of a purpose-built colonial government building displaying Renaissance elements.
For over one hundred years it has been a landmark in the streetscape of the town.
Criterion DThe place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.
The Post Office is a most significant building of its type and in its particular location. It is a fine example of a purpose-built colonial government building displaying Renaissance elements.
Criterion EThe place is important because of its aesthetic significance.
For over one hundred years it has been a landmark in the streetscape of the town.
History
The Post Office was constructed in 1886 at a cost of £17,235. Dennis Kellcher submitted a tender and carried out extensions in 1888, while a clock tower was built by Henry L Davis & Co. Chimes were imported from England in 1889 and installed by 1891. As a result of severe bomb damage done to buildings in Darwin, the clocktower was dismantled in 1942 and the mechanism was stored away. A greatly modified tower was built in 1963-64 by JE Allen & Co. of Townsville at a cost of £42,135. The interior was also modernisation at this time. Because of its prominent location, the Post Office often became the scene of political rallies around a speaker on a soap box.
Description
The Post Office is a cement-rendered brick building, which displays Renaissance features. Its asymmetric facade has a loggia on the lower level, which shades the building along Flinders and Denham Streets and a verandah along the front and side facade of the upper level. The lowpitched hipped roof of corrugated iron extends into four gabled projections, while a slender clocktower and parapeted cupola dominates the corner.
On the upper level, french doors open onto the verandah, with sashed windows in all other openings. The interior is not as intact as the facade because of years of alterations. The building stands in a commanding position in the streetscape at the eastern end of Flinders Mall. It can be seen from across Ross Creek and enhances the western end of historic Flinders Street East. Despite interior modifications, the basic structure is intact and in excellent condition.
