IT has sat silent witness to some of Perth’s most influential pioneers and connected tens of thousands of people in a career spanning three centuries.

Now, at the ripe old age of 142, Bassendean’s much-loved red pillar postbox may finally be on the cusp of receiving some recognition for its service.

The longest continually operational mailbox in WA has been nominated for the State Heritage Register by snail mail-mad local Gerry Coleman.

Located on the corner of North Road and Surrey Street, the unassuming post box dated 1876 sits at the epicentre of much of Perth’s history.

Properties once owned by James Stirling and John Septimus Roe are located a stone’s throw away, while Mr Coleman believes the hexagonal mailbox carried the letters of pioneering West Australians including inspector of schools Cyril Jackson and one-time acting WA premier Sir Edgar Horne Wittenoom, both of whom lived nearby.

“I’m flying the flag for this because of all the incredible dignitaries who have lived within walking distance of the postbox,” he said. “Back in the 1800s boats travelled from Fremantle up the Swan River as far as they could go to Guildford, where there was a ferry connecting to what was then known as West Guildford (now Bassendean).

“That ferry dropped people right in front of the pillar box so who knows which other figures from WA history have used it.”

The hexagonal design of the pillar box is similar to the British Penfold popular in the Victorian era, which enjoys grade two heritage listing in the UK.

Mr Coleman said Australia Post had attempted to replace the post box twice — once in the 1950s and again in the 1970s — but backed down in the face of fierce opposition from nearby residents.

Australia Post and the Heritage Council confirmed the postbox was under consideration for addition to the State Register but could not say when a decision would be reached.