Today we spent the day at Morpeth which is steeped in history with European settlement dating from the early 1800s. Known by its Aboriginal name "Illalung" Morpeth was part of a land grant made to Lieutenant Edward Charles Close by Governor Brisbane in 1821. Influenced by its desirable location on the Hunter River and the realization of the area's immense potential, by the 1830s Morpeth had evolved from a riverside forest to a frontier town and busy river port.
Morpeth Post and Telegraph Office opened in this grand building in 1881.
It sounds funny that it's steeped in history dating from the early 1800's when building in the UK and Europe date back sooooooo much further, but it's great we have things like this as a reminder of our 200 odd year of European settlement.
Such a grand ole Post Office with it's history. America's history is much the same and to find buildings older than early 1800's is difficult! Australia and America are the YOUNGER generation!!! Let's enjoy it!
@angelar I have heard of Morpeth in Northumberland, but I have never been there. A lot of our towns are named after English towns because that is what the first settlers saw when they came here.
Morpeth here is a beautiful historic town with lots of old buildings. We had a lovely day there.
@joluise Yes, the post office is the front of this building and the back is the residential bit. It isn't actually a post office any more, but the front of the post office building is open to the public where the back is where the owners live. It is up for sale at the moment.
@gamelee@streats They knew how to build here in the 1800s. They probably didn't pay them much though in those days. There are some very grand buildings at Morpeth. A lovely historic town.
@eyesmile No it isn't a post office now I don't think. It is just up for sale again and I think the present owners open the front up to the public and live in the back.
Morpeth here is a beautiful historic town with lots of old buildings. We had a lovely day there.