Old Telegraph Station

The old Telegraph Station, a single storey structure with a square tower constructed in 1857 from Barrabool freestone with a slate roof, is one of the first buildings in Victoria constructed of Barrabool freestone and most probably an outstanding example of the work of the extremely important colonial architect Henry Ginn. The Telegraph Station was for many years the centre of communications for Geelong and district and is integrally associated with the history of shipping on Corio Bay. The structure is a finely proportioned axial composition of colonial Georgian style origin and an excellent example of early masonry construction in Victoria.

References

Public Records Office, Laverton, Victoria. Plan Book of Henry Ginn, Colonial Clerk of Works 1846-1853.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) File No 257.

Brownhill, W. R., A History of Geelong and Corio Bay, Wilke and Co., Melbourne, 1955, p. 583.

Geelong Advertiser, 12th August 1854, tender for telegraph station, probably second one to be built. 2nd November 1857, tender for telegraph station, third and existing. 16th January 1858,'Public Buildings', the telegraph station is more than half way above ground. 20th February 1858, 15th April, 1858, 13th August 1858, 22nd August 1860, 6th May 1862, 9th May 1873, 11th November 1875 - tender notices for various sundry works.

Group

Commercial

Category

Other - Commercial