Murray Street 59
| Place type: | Building |
|---|---|
| Address: | 59 Murray Street |
| Town or Locality: | Gawler |
| Year constructed: | 1867 |
| Used for: | Post Office |
Gawler Old Post Office Gawler Historic Building: Old Post Office
Gawler's first post office opened for business late in 1842, and what more appropriate address than the business and social centre of the "frontier" town -- the Old Spot Hotel?
The hotel was purchased by the enterprising Mr. Henry Calton during Gawler's "awakening," and he secured his appointment as postmaster on December 31, 1842. Business was carried out at the hotel until about 1848, when the post office was transferred to the other side of Murray Street to a bakery owned by Mr. George Gozzard. On Mr. Gozzard's death in the early 1860's, his assistant, Mr. H. Dean, took over as acting postmaster, continuing until the post office and telegraph office were combined in a new two-storey building. This building now houses the National Trust museum. In 1863 Mr. W. Rossi was appointed Gawler's first official postmaster, and in 1867 Gawler's post office building was proudly unveiled. The building, with its distinctive clock tower, has been a Gawler landmark ever since.
One early colonial document states that a post office was established in Gawler in May 1831 -- nine years before the birth of the town! It is thought the entry should have read 1841.
With the completion of the new post office in 1867, the telegraph office became the Gawler School of Mines (later Gawler Adult Education Centre). The Post Office Department may have erected the post office, but it was Gawler Town Council which saw to the installation of a clock in the tower.
In February 1867 council appointed a committee to purchase and supervise the installation of a clock. A special levy of 3d. in the pound was made to provide the 150 pounds to purchase the clock from Wendt's Jewellers of Adelaide. The clock was installed by Mr. Wendt in September that year.
Since Mr. Calton's day Gawler has had a long line of postmasters, many of whom have made valuable contributions to the progress of the town. They include Mr. W.R. Allen (1913-28), who was the first Gawler man to own a Model T Ford car, and Mr. M. V. Marsh, who represented Central ward on the town council. An interesting feature of the clock is the eastern face which has numerals the wrong way round. The numerals "IV" appear where the number "VI" should be. The foundation of the post office was laid by the mayor, Mr. John Mitchell, on August 8, 1866, and the ceremony celebrated with a luncheon to which the town's prominent citizens were invited. The site was purchased for 15 pounds per foot on the 65.5-foot Murray street frontage.
Local builders Pett and Gray won the building contract for a price of 2,395 pounds. Until 1940 the postmasters lived in the building, but in 1940 the rooms used for his residence were converted to allow for expansion of the telephone exchange. The "Postal and Telegraph Guide" of 1889, under the heading "Gawler Exchange," showed there were just three telephone subscribers in the town. They were Jas. Harris & Sons ('phone number four), G. Hilfers & Co., Albion Mills, Cowan street (three) and James Martin & Co (five). By October 1891 there were nine subscribers including the Railway Telegraph Office, Wm. Gilbert & Co's. Gawler Mills, May Bros. foundry, the police station, Pearce, Wincey & Co., and Dr. Popham. But the post office, virtually in its original form and in excellent condition proved too small to cope with the amount of business. In March 1970 the house property of Mr. and Mrs. James McCabe on the corner of Tod street and Whitelaw terrace was purchased for a new post office. It was officially opened by Senator Drury on Monday, October 29, 1973, and was built at a cost of $103,000 At the time the P.M.G. Department had no plans to dispose of the building. Over the years since the building ceased to operate as a post office, it has been used by various community groups including the Gawler Tourist Office, the Gawler Art Society, and the Postal Institute Association.
The old building has been well looked after and does much to retain the character of "old Gawler" in the face of more modern establishments.
© The Bunyip, Historic Building Page Last modified on: Friday, 5 November 1999
We thank The Bunyip for allowing us to reproduce their article.
Please click here to view photos of 59 Murray Street.
We thank Neil Jacobs for his permission for the following link to be displayed relating to the use of this building as Gawler National Trust. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbfhuPe-aDo
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