Prospect (former), NSW, 2148
Posted by: 
Riblit
S 33° 48.332 E 150° 55.392
56H E 307759 N 6257466
Historic old post office
Waymark Code: WM84XD
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 01/29/2010
Views: 18
The Prospect Post Office is believed to have operated from as early as 1871, in an earlier timber structure on the site.
The present building was constructed between 1880 and 1890 and was clearly a more substantial structure with its separate shop and post office area, reflecting the growing prosperity of the Watts family.
Watts' store and post office became the focus of the small village of Prospect that slowly developed with the gradual sub-division of Kennedy's 1799 grant. James Watt operated the general store and post office until his death in 1898 and was succeeded by his wife, Mary Ann who continued operating the business until her death in 1909 at which time a local builder, George Henry, took over the business and occupied the house with his wife and their 4 children.
Shortly after he assumed control of the business, George added a butcher's shop housed in a separate timber structure to the south of the house. A number of other associated structures were also constructed around this time.
The village of Prospect reached its peak of development around 1923. Following his death, the property was transferred to George's widow, Grace, in 1925 and she occupier the house until her death in 1944. Her daughter Georgina continued as post mistress during this period and her other daughter, Ethel, worked as housekeeper and shop assistant.
The shop, which later included tea rooms, slowly declined and its function as a post office ceased entirely after Grace's death in 1946 and the subsequent sale of the property to Archibald White, although he did continue to operate the store.
The property changed hands numerous times between 1949 and 1976 when it was finally purchased by the NSW Planning and Environment Commission as part of an open space corridor provision.
State/Territory: NSW
Post Boxes: No
Historical Significance: Yes
Current use: No
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