Historical information

Copy of newspaper article (Jan. 1958):
"Out of the Past"
"The first post office at Eltham as it appeared in the eighties (sic). This photo was in the possession of the Burgoyne family, whose association with the Postal Department ended yesterday when the new post office was opened."

The article indicates the photo is from the 1880s however it actually pre-dates the connection of the Electric Telegraph line in 1877 - most likely early 1870s. The Telegraph Office was opened Thursday, June 7, 1877 and the lines were connected to the building above the awning near where the lower corner of the large sign is. A similar image of the building dated circa 1888 (EDHS_00139) shows the telegraph line connection. The awning has also been updated with corrugated iron in lieu of bark shingles and the false facade above the awning removed. It is possible these modifications were made to the building at the time of the telegraph line connection.

Significance

This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.'
It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.

Physical description

Digital image