Geelong Telegraph Station

Geelong Historic Buildings

The Old Telegraph Station in Ryrie Street, Geelong was erected in 1857 to accommodate the terminal of Melbourne-Geelong telegraph line. Henry Ginn, Colonial Clerk of Works, designed this single storey structure with a square tower which contained the important time ball for shipping in Corio Bay. This simple Colonial public building is built of Barrabool freestone with a slate roof.

The Old Telegraph Station in Geelong is one of first buildings in Victoria constructed of Barrabool freestone and outstanding example of the work of extremely important Colonial architect Henry Ginn. The telegraph station was for many years the centre of community for Geelong and district and is integrally associated with the history of shipping on Corio Bay. Structure is finely proportioned axial composition of Colonial Georgian style origin and an excellent example of early masonry construction in Victoria.