Port Perry Post Office

Port Perry Post Office. . , The Port Perry Post Office is a two-storey red brick building with a white dressed-stone foundation and a clock tower over 50’ high. The design is similar to many built by the Government of Canada during this period. , Construction began on this site in the summer of 1911, on a lot vacant since the fire of 1884. An official cornerstone ceremony was held in July 1912 at the northwest corner of the building. The design was a small maple leaf carved into the white stone. , The new post office was scheduled to open in early September 1913 but delays made it necessary to utilize the one-storey armouries hall, at the rear of the building until interior finishing was completed. , The post office finally opened to the public in January 1914, with little fanfare. The clock, which was manufactured in England, was not installed for another three months. , John W. Burnham was the first postmaster of the new building and Samuel Graham the first caretaker. , The historic post office was slated for demolition in 1971, but members of the local historical society launched a campaign to save the building. By early 1973 the government backed down, opting to renovate and expand this important heritage facility. The 100th anniversary of the historic Port Perry Post Office, in January 2014, went by with little fanfare - not unlike when it opened a century ago.