Rissik Street Post Office, Provincial heritage site in Johannesburg, South Africa
The Rissik Street Post Office is a four-story building in downtown Johannesburg featuring a distinctive clock tower and architectural details from the 1800s. The structure displays colonial-era craftsmanship with classical elements that shaped the character of early Johannesburg.
The building was erected in 1897 during President Paul Kruger's era and held the title of Africa's tallest structure from 1910 to 1965. After severe fire damage in 2009, it was restored to recover its original character.
The building shows how postal services expanded rapidly across South Africa, serving as Johannesburg's main communication center until 1996.
The building sits in downtown Johannesburg and is easily reached by public transportation. It is best viewed from the street during daylight hours when the clock tower architecture is most clearly visible.
The original bell tower was replaced in 1905 with a clock tower housing a specially designed timepiece. This Coronation Clock was crafted by L. Collins and remains a signature feature of the building's appearance.
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