Built between 1880 and 1890 the Old Prospect Post Office stands before you. This isn’t just any building. It’s a silent witness to over a century of history. Imagine the Watts family. They ran the post office and general store within these walls. James Watts built it. He and his wife Mary Ann lived here too. Their lives were intertwined with the growth of Prospect village. This small village slowly grew with the subdivision of Kennedy’s 1799 land grant. The Old Prospect Post Office became its heart.
The post office wasn’t always this grand structure. It started in an earlier timber building. The current brick building with its hipped corrugated iron roof is a significant upgrade. It reflects the growing prosperity of the Watts family. Note the bull-nosed verandah. It’s a charming feature. The turned timber posts and simple timber valence add to its Victorian-era charm.
The building served many purposes. It was a home a shop a post office. Later a butcher’s shop was added. The Old Prospect Post Office was even a community hall. Think of the bustling activity. Think of the countless letters sent and received. Think of the community gatherings. The building remained a central hub until the late 1950s when Prospect’s village life declined.
After the Watts family the Old Prospect Post Office changed hands. It continued as a post office and store until 1946. It even included tea rooms for a time. Eventually in 1976 the NSW Planning and Environment Commission bought the building. It underwent extensive conservation work in 1997-98. The Old Prospect Post Office has remained mostly vacant since then. However in 2015 the state government transferred ownership to the City of Blacktown. They are looking into restoring the building perhaps turning it into a shop or a cafe.
Today the Old Prospect Post Office stands as a reminder. It’s a testament to Prospect’s past. It’s the last surviving commercial building from the old village. The Old Prospect Post Office is a landmark of local significance. It’s a physical link to the early development of Sydney. It’s also a symbol of resilience and community spirit. This unassuming building whispers stories of a bygone era. It waits for a new chapter to begin.