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Post Office - Castelmaine Historic Area

Location 204 Barker Street and Cnr Littleton Street,, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 - Property No B0309 File Number B0309 Level State

[1/1] B0309 Post OfficeBarker St

Statement of Significance

The Post Office is a large, two storey building erected in 1873-74 to the designs of the Public Works Department of Victoria. This replaced a neighbouring bluestone structure of circa 1852. Symmetrical in arrangement, the stuccoed structure features an arcaded side, with clock tower (with locally cast bell) to the other facade. Smooth rustication and hoods are features.
The Post Office is a landmark and an important part of the historic townscape of Castlemaine, has historical associations and is architecturally notable. The substantial combined Post Office and Public Offices, is exemplary of the Conservative Classical manner of the Public Works Department. Derived from Roman palazzo design, the fairly typical design is distinguished by its centrally located tower, a most unusual feature.
The Post Office has been unsympathetically painted in recent years, but is very largely intact and in good condition.
Classified: 21/05/1969

Part of Castlemaine Historic Area B4894
Castlemaine grew as a result of the discovery of gold along Forest Creek in July, 1851. By December of that year the population on the field was greater than that of Melbourne. In 1852 Mr Templeton surveyed the township of Castlemaine and in 1853 the first auction of the town site was held.
The Castlemaine goldfield was allegedly the richest alluvial goldfield in the world. Such was the prosperity of the diggers that the townsfolk were optimistically expectant of Castlemaine becoming Victoria's second city. The prosperity of the diggers and the optimistic townsfolk is reflected in the high number of imposing buildings erected in the first few years of the town's life. However, the rich alluvial diggers were worked out within 15-20 years. From the 1870's the town's population began to drift away, but they left behind a rich legacy of the town's former prosperity in the form of its buildings.
Within the Castlemaine Historic Area may be found many items of significance. These range from intact nineteenth century streetscapes composed of imposing public buildings to simple miner's cottages. Within the historic area there are a number of identifiable component areas, each telling an important part of the history of Castlemaine. In addition, there are many other items of significance outside of these areas, but still within the historic area. These include the former steam flourmill, the Church of England, the Congregational Church and Forest and Barkers Creeks.
Despite the town's topographical confinements to the valley of the two creeks, the wide streets and large buildings convey an atmosphere of grand spaciousness in this central Victorian goldfields town.
Classified: 06/12/1982