Old Post Office (1/187A Hurstmere Road)

Opened in 1914, the building across the road at the corner of Hurstmere and Earnoch was designed by the Ministry of Works under the Government Architect, John Campbell, in an Arts and Craft style. It was one of many community post offices built in this period as part of a government programme to improve communication. The site was purchased in 1911, but building was delayed by a petition presented to the House of Representatives and the borough council by local residents, who wanted a post office closer to the town centre. However, their pleas were ignored. In spite of its location, the post office played a pivotal role in the community and carried out a wide range of tasks. For example, during the Great Depression in the 1930s, clothing was distributed from here to the unemployed. The only break in its continuous operation was in 1918, when regular hours were abandoned because of the Spanish Flu. Older residents remember the loud clatter of the telegraph’s double click when sending messages by Morse code. By 1964, the post office had been superseded by a more centrally located building on Hurstmere Road. The old post office finally closed in 1988 and sold shortly afterwards.

Turn to the right and continue walking along Hurstmere Road.