The Inman Valley Post office has had changed locations several times over the years, with many postmasters over the history of the valley. The furthest back that records go for the Inman Valley office is 1855 and can be found in the South Australian Archives, listing the first postmaster as Mr. J. Robertson. He managed the post for around 11 years from his home at Springrove House East of the Inman Valley township.
The original location is described as a ‘Pug’ building surrounded by fruit trees and vines. More information on Springrove House can be found https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/heritage-surveys/3-Fleurieu-Peninsula-Survey-DC-Victor-Harbor-1985.pd and through the archives https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/233540214?keyword=Inman%20Valley%20post%20office .
In 1876 Captain Musgrave wrote of the mail route though Inman Valley in ‘A precis of Information Concerning the Colony of S.A.” as part of Southern Route no. 116 between Port Victor and Yankalilla. The distance of 21 miles was covered 3 times a week.
Between 1900 and 1940 the post office was situated at several different locations on a different block of land more central in town. This started as an iron and wood constructed roadside shed, then moved into a stone building located in the garden and later still into an enclosed veranda off the main postmasters residence. From 1855 -1955 The post office saw 10 different postmasters, with over half of these being female.
The first Inman Post office was marked with the installation of a memorial plaque in 1983 and your can read more about this here https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186018664?searchTerm=Inman%20Valley%20post%20office.
To learn more about Inman Valley History be sure to read our other posts. Or to help contribute to the story contact us at ivmemorialhall@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and our Website.
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