Courtesy of Mr. H. B.
Donly, who was instrumental in inducing the Government to erect the
building, we are able to present herewith a view of the exterior of
the new post office and customs office building in Simcoe.
The building stands at the
junction of Peel and Kent streets, having a frontage of 66 feet on
Peel and 58 feet on Kent. It is one story in height.
The foundation is reinforced concrete. The plinth course is of
limestone and the walls of the superstructure are of buff brick
trimmed with cut stone. Ornate iron lamp posts are to be erected on
the stone pedestals of the main entrance steps.
The picture scarcely does the
building justice because the photographer, in order to exclude posts
and wires, placed his camera too close to the building, and the
picture thus lacks perspective and makes the building appear lower
than it is.
The design of the structure
has been criticized by some of the citizens of Simcoe, and on this
point the Reformer says...
"Of the style of
architecture adopted for the structure, there was, for a time,
considerable adverse criticism. Of the honesty of its construction,
its substantial character, its probable durability, the convenience of
its interior arrangement, nothing but praise has been heard. But from
many, perhaps at first from all but a select few, it was common to
hear the complaint that it is too low.
"People unacquainted with
the modern trend in the architecture of public and semi-public
buildings, noticing it has no tower, no clock, no variety of bright
coloring, condemned it hastily. But the building has grown on people.
Its straight, dignified lines, its self-evident solidity appeal
the more it is examined."
The interior is divided into
two sections. The post office occupies the west wing and the customs
and inland revenue offices are in the east wing. The woodwork is of
natural quarter-cut oak, and the floors of the public lobbies are
ceramic mosaic. The building is lighted with natural gas and natural
gas is used as fuel in the hot water heating system.
In the post office there are
two general delivery wickets, two wickets in the money order
department, and a parcel delivery wicket, and nearly 700 lock boxes.
The work room is large, airy, well lighted and equipped with sorting
tables, bag racks, cabinets, etc., a fine vault, and toilet rooms for
the employees. Inspector Campbell has pronounced it "the best
office in the London district."
