Pssst….wanna buy a historic post office?
It wasn’t long ago that I had the opportunity to visit Canada’s oldest operating Post Office in Toronto. It’s charm still lingers.
Until recently, the Battleford Post Office in Saskatchewan was the SECOND-oldest continually-used post office in the country. This particular Post Office holds a dear spot in author Elinor Florence’s heart, as both her grandfather and great-grandfather served as postmasters in this historic building.
Historic hub of the community sits empty, locals pick up mail in a trailer
“It was a great shock to Battleford residents when Canada Post suspended operations at the historic Post Office in October 2015. Canada Post claimed that bats had infested the third storey and that it would cost one million dollars to clean up the bat problem—a figure met with skepticism from the locals.
Constructed of red brick in the Georgian style in 1911, with a handsome clock tower, it would be a tragedy to see this building disappear. Most residents feel the same way, especially my family members who have so many fond memories of “Grandpa’s Post Office” as we call it to this day.
There is no door-to-door delivery in Battleford, so EVERYONE in town picks up their mail at the post office— which is now a portable trailer set up at the edge of town. Consequently, this has had a very negative impact on downtown business. Anyone who has lived in a small town knows that the post office is the heart of the downtown. The Post Office is where everyone goes to pick up mail, do a little shopping, and chat with their neighbours.
Do you have any ideas for the post office’s survival?
Nobody wants to see the old Post Office building torn down, yet there isn’t a viable plan for repairing or using it for another purpose. The Town of Battleford officials say they have been waiting for months for any word from Canada Post on what, if anything, is planned for the old building. My suspicion is that it will go up for sale, and if nobody is willing to buy and renovate it, Canada Post will bring in the wrecking ball.
Perhaps you want to buy it? If not, here’s your chance to win a replica. The Battleford & District Museum and Heritage Board is raffling off a custom-made dollhouse that looks just like the real thing. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5, and can be purchased by calling (306) 937-7111. The draw will be made on December 15, 2016, just in time for Christmas.”
Elinor’s new novel, My Favourite Veterans: True Stories From World War Two’s Hometown Heroes, is a collection of twenty-eight personal interviews with veterans and their families; an incredible tribute to our war-time heroes.