Old Picton Post Office

The Old Picton Post Office: A Pillar of Communication and Community

From a humble slab hut to a grand civic building, the Old Picton Post Office stands as a symbol of the town’s growth, resilience, and community spirit. It reflects more than 190 years of local history, a testament to the people who lived, worked, and built Picton into the vibrant place it is today.

The story of the Old Picton Post Office is intertwined with the early development of the township of Picton, once known as Stonequarry. As one of the first essential public services in the area, the post office played a central role in connecting this remote settlement with the wider colony and, eventually, the country.

Early Days: From Stonequarry to Picton

Mail service in the district dates back to 1827, when a fortnightly delivery from Sydney began servicing the sparse local population. Constable James Blake was appointed as the first postmaster, likely operating from a building associated with the old lockup. At this time, postal operations were informal. Records suggest that on occasion, the Clerk of the Local Court also performed postal duties, possibly from the original slab hut court house.

In 1841, the area began changing from a loosely defined settlement to an organised town when plans were drawn up for a “Private Town” on Major Antill’s Jarvisfield grant. That same year saw the establishment of the first official post office, and it is believed the name Picton was also adopted during this time. By 1846, mail service had increased to four deliveries per week, with postage costing 7 pence.

A Nomadic Post Office

For several decades, the Picton Post Office moved up and down Argyle Street, setting up from wherever space was available. Locations included:

• A site opposite the present Court House
• Larkin’s Store
• William Coull’s Store, next to the George Inn
• Eventually, a return to the old lockup site.

While functional, these makeshift arrangements didn’t meet the growing needs of the expanding township.

Struggles for a Permanent Home

The first formally appointed postmaster, Sydney Dargin, arrived in 1882, but still found himself working without a proper building. In 1884, Frederick Burgess took over the role. He and his family lived and worked in a brick building beside the newly built Commercial Bank (later NAB), which was rented from the bank manager, Mr Webster.

Mr Webster had made some repairs to the building, but conditions were poor. Frederick Burgess wrote to authorities in 1889, reporting that the house was very damp during wet weather, and his family was suffering as a result. His daughter Constance had recently died, and another child was seriously ill and staying with friends in hopes of recovery. The tragic circumstances added urgency to the campaign for a new, purpose-built post office.

Efforts to secure a permanent site began in 1884, but progress was slow. Local landowners were asking high prices, and most sites had only small, unsuitable buildings. Finally, in 1890, the government resumed the corner site at Argyle and Menangle Streets from the Fieldhouse brothers of Campbelltown.

A New Building Takes Shape

Plans were drawn up by the renowned government architect Walter Liberty Vernon, calling for a "fourth class building" – a standard classification for smaller rural post offices. The design included:

• A post office, dining room, kitchen, laundry, and storeroom on the ground floor
• A sitting room, two bedrooms, a servant’s bedroom, and a bathroom on the first floor

Tenders were called for construction, but all came in over budget. The lowest tender was from Peter Graham, who offered to complete the project for £2,379, well above the original budget of £1,500. Despite this, his tender was accepted on 2 February 1891, and additional funding was secured to proceed.

The building was constructed from brick, featuring sandstone bandings and window sills, and boasted a distinctive loggia along the Menangle Street frontage on the first floor. The Argyle Street entrance, which includes a charming mosaic-tiled porch, was likely used by the postmaster’s family who lived upstairs.

Official Opening and Clock Tower Addition

The new Picton Post Office was officially opened on 19 July 1892 by Mr Kidd, the local member and Postmaster General. Its grand appearance and central location quickly made it a focal point for the community.

Shortly after the opening, local residents petitioned for the addition of a clock and tower, recognising the building’s civic prominence. The request was approved, and Mr R.B. Smith’s tender of £135 was accepted in October 1892. The clock and tower were installed within three months, further cementing the building’s iconic status.

Later Years: From Postal Service to Community Use

The Picton Post Office continued to operate for over a century, until its closure in 1994. That year, the building was purchased by Wollondilly Shire Council and it was repurposed as the town’s Visitor Information Centre. The original family quarters upstairs housed various Council offices, and a café operated from the same level.

In 2016, the building was damaged during the major flood that affected much of Picton. Renovations and repairs took time, but the historical integrity of the structure was maintained throughout the process.

In 2023, the rejuvenated building reopened as a modern Work Hub, with WorkLife taking up a contract to provide shared workspace and support small businesses and remote workers, continuing the building’s legacy as a vital community resource.

Information and images courtesy of the Picton & District Historical & Family History Society Inc.