CATERHAM POST OFFICE
19 Station Avenue
Photograph © Julian Osley
|
Architect: W.H. Harrison Year: 1910 Selected bibliographical references Surrey Mirror & County Post 7 Oct 1910, p. 8 Building description From: Surrey Mirror and County Post 7 October 1910, p. 8 Mr. A. Hahn and his staff have now entered into possession of the new Post Office that has been erected in Caterham Valley, immediately opposite the station. For long time past the inhabitants of the Valley have felt the need of better office accommodation than that provided in the old building., and the staff, especially, have had to discharge their duties under very trying circumstances. The new premises have been specially designed for the purpose for which they will be used, and are replete with all modern improvements for prompt attention to postal, telegraph, telephone, and the general work of a Post Office. The building is a somewhat striking one, with no pretension to follow the design of any particular style of architecture, but rather of modern style. It is of three storeys, spanned by a gable roof, and the façade is of pointed red brick with stone facings, and is partly timbered in the upper portion. The whole of the rear portion is also constructed of brickwork. The chief office for the use of the public is on the ground floor, and is a fine spacious room of some 20ft. by 18ft. with a tessellated floor. A good sized counter is provided, and also a separate counter with divisions for the writing of telegraph messages. The public telephone box is situated in this office. The main entrance is a great improvement upon that at the former premises, there being a lobby with swing doors, which will obviate much of the annoyance caused by strong winds. There is a small portico above the doorway. Close adjoining the main room is the clerk's telegraph room, the Postmaster's office, and the messengers' room, all good sized chambers. In the front room, above the public office, is the telephone department, with the testing room at the back. The sorting office is in a separate block at the rear of the main building, and a splendid room for the purpose, well lighted with a glass roof. The approach thereto is by means of a slipway, close to the main entrance and through an archway. A lift provided for the transference of the sacks of letters and parcels, etc., from the trucks up to the sorting room. The total cost of the new building was about £2.000. The architects were Mr. W. H. Harrison, F.R.1.B.A., and Mr. N. D. Thompson, P.A.S.I. of Caterham. and the contract was carried out by Mr. J. Quittenton. of Warlingham |
