Baillie Henderson Hospital facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baillie Henderson Hospital
Queensland Health
Baillie Henderson Hospital in 1994
Location in Queensland
Geography
Location	Cranley, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	27°31′31″S 151°56′04″E / 27.52539750313058°S 151.93436895767493°E / -27.52539750313058; 151.93436895767493
Organisation
Care system	Public Medicare (AU)
Funding	Government hospital
Hospital type	Specialist
Network	Darling Downs Health
Services
Beds	400
Speciality	Rehabilitation and mental health

Baillie Henderson Hospital is a special hospital in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It helps people with mental health needs and those needing rehabilitation (getting better after an illness or injury). It's a public hospital, meaning the government runs it.

The hospital was built a long time ago, between 1888 and 1919. It used to have different names like the Toowoomba Hospital for the Insane, Toowoomba Lunatic Asylum, and Toowoomba Mental Hospital. Today, it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's an important historical place that needs to be protected.

Discovering Baillie Henderson Hospital's Past

Baillie Henderson Hospital is located on the edge of Toowoomba. It opened in 1890 to care for people with mental health conditions. It still provides psychiatric care today. It's one of the oldest and most complete hospitals of its kind from the 1800s in Queensland.

How Mental Health Care Changed

In the early 1800s, people started to think differently about mental health. Instead of just locking people up, they believed a pleasant environment and work could help. The idea was to help people get better by placing them in a suitable place. By the 1860s, special hospitals called asylums were seen as the best way to treat mental illness.

Before Queensland became its own colony in 1859, people needing mental health care were often sent to jail or to a hospital in Sydney. But within 30 years, Queensland had three of its own hospitals.

Building New Hospitals for Care

Queensland's first mental health hospital, Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum, opened in 1865. It quickly became too crowded. In 1877, a group recommended building new hospitals in Toowoomba and Rockhampton. Another hospital was set up at Sandy Gallop (now the Challinor Centre in Ipswich) in 1878.

Plans for the Toowoomba hospital were drawn up in 1885 by a famous architect named John James Clark. His plans showed a large hospital with many buildings, including patient wards and service areas.

The Hospital's Special Design

The Toowoomba hospital's design was based on new ideas about how to build hospitals for mental health. The plan was very organized and took over 20 years to finish.

The hospital was designed to be very balanced and orderly. It had a main line running east to west. Service buildings were in the middle, and identical patient wards were placed equally on either side. Male patients were on the south, and female patients were on the north. All the buildings were designed symmetrically and connected by covered walkways. Each ward also had its own outdoor area with a 3-meter high fence and shelter sheds. Gardens and trees were planted to make the environment pleasant and peaceful.

Early Years and Growth

Construction started in 1886, and enough buildings were ready for the hospital to open in 1890. By 1891, the Toowoomba Lunatic Asylum had:

• A male (Jofre House) and female (Ray House) recovery ward.
• A general female ward (Pinel House).
• An administration building (now MacDonald Hall).
• A kitchen, bathrooms, washhouse, and store.
• The medical superintendent's house.

The first patients came from the Goodna hospital. By the end of 1890, there were 196 patients. The second male ward (Rush House) was finished in 1892.

Building continued through the 1890s and 1900s:

• More male and female wards were built in 1898 and 1902.
• A house for the assistant medical superintendent was built in 1899.
• Nurses' quarters were added in 1909.
• A new administration block was completed in 1910.

By 1910, the original plan was complete, and the hospital could hold over 700 patients.

New Ideas and Expansion

From 1915 to 1919, the hospital had another big building phase. In 1909, Dr. Henry Byam Ellerton became the Inspector of Hospitals for the Insane in Queensland. He quickly started making improvements.

Dr. Ellerton believed in "moral treatment." This meant providing a pleasant environment, useful work, and fun activities for patients. This idea led to five new buildings at Toowoomba:

• Two large new wards, Female Ward 5 (Whishaw House) and Male Ward E (Browne House), built between 1917 and 1919. These had nice views of the countryside.
• Two smaller, home-like wards for new patients (James House and Hill House).
• A hospital ward (Tredgold House) for patients with physical health problems.

These new buildings faced a recreation ground in the center of the hospital. Farming was also an important part of the hospital's work. It helped save money and gave patients jobs.

Changes Over the Years

Not many big building projects happened after the 1910s. There were some extensions to the nurses' quarters in 1934 and new bathrooms.

The hospital's name changed several times:

• In 1938, it became the "Toowoomba Mental Hospital."
• In 1962, it changed to "Toowoomba Special Hospital."
• In August 1968, it was renamed "Baillie Henderson Hospital." This was to honor Dr. John Hector Baillie Henderson, who worked there for many years.

In the mid-1960s, a major upgrade began. New service buildings like a laundry (1968), canteen (1968), and kitchen (1972) were built. New patient wards were also added, mostly to the north and west of the older buildings. Some original buildings were taken down around 1971 to make way for new ones.

Since the 1980s, fewer patients have stayed at the hospital. There's now more focus on helping people in their communities or in general hospitals. The Nurses' Quarters building was taken down in 1997.

Exploring the Hospital's Layout

Perspective drawing of the "Lunatic Asylum, Toowoomba", around 1888

The Baillie Henderson Hospital is on a large piece of land, about 3 kilometers northwest of Toowoomba. It's on a hill with nice views. There are over 40 buildings on the site. Ten of these were built between 1888 and 1910 following the original plan, and five more were added between 1915 and 1919.

You can enter the hospital from Mort Street or Tor Street. The main road goes around the older part of the hospital. Other roads lead to staff houses and newer hospital buildings. These roads are lined with impressive old trees, including Bunya Pines.

Even with new buildings and landscaping, you can still see the hospital's original balanced layout. The buildings, grounds, and walkways are all important parts of the hospital's history.

Jofre House (Male Ward A) and Ray House (Female Ward 1)

History of Jofre and Ray Houses

Jofre House and Ray House were built in 1888. They were identical two-story brick buildings shaped like an 'L'. They were placed on opposite sides of the central area, forming the eastern corners of the hospital. They had verandahs (porches) around the ground floor.

From their high position, both wards had views over the valley towards the city. Inside, they had a central lounge, dormitories (large sleeping rooms), single rooms, and rooms for attendants. The dining room and bathrooms were on the ground floor. These buildings are still mostly the same and are still used for patients.

What Jofre and Ray Houses Look Like

These wards are two-story brick buildings with corrugated iron roofs. The red-brown brick walls have decorative bands and windows with many small panes of glass. The first floor still has its 'L' shape. However, single-story brick additions for bathrooms and recreation areas have been added to the ground floor, changing the original verandahs.

Inside, most of the original features are still there, like the staircases and doors with observation windows.

General Wards: Rush, Pinel, Clouston, and Female Ward 4

History of the General Wards

The original plan for the hospital included six general patient wards. These were identical two-story brick buildings shaped like an 'I'. They had verandahs on three sides and a covered walkway on the inside.

These wards had bathrooms, stairs, storage, and attendant rooms. The dining room was in one wing, and a large dormitory with single rooms was in the middle. The upper floors had a similar layout.

Pinel House (Female Ward 2) was the first general ward, built in 1888. Rush House (Male Ward B) was finished in 1892. Male Ward C and Female Ward 3 were built in 1898. Clouston House and Female Ward 4 were completed in 1902.

Later, wings for bathrooms and recreation areas were added to these wards. Male Ward C and Female Ward 3 were taken down in 1971. Rush House has been updated and still houses patients. Female Ward 4 is now the hospital's museum. Clouston House is empty. The original shelter sheds and fences are no longer there.

What the General Wards Look Like

These general wards are two-story, 'I'-shaped brick buildings with corrugated iron roofs. The red-brown brick walls have decorative bands and multi-paned windows. You can see small differences in the details of the buildings depending on when they were built.

Pinel House is empty but still very original, except its outside brickwork has been painted. Female Ward 4, now the museum, is also very original. Clouston House is also original and used for storage.

Rush House has been updated. Its roof vents and chimneys were removed, the roof was replaced, and the brickwork was painted. Inside, new walls were added to dormitories, and floors and ceilings were changed.

MacDonald Hall

History of MacDonald Hall

MacDonald Hall was first built in 1888 as a single-story brick building shaped like a 'T'. It had a double gabled roof and timber verandahs. It was connected to the kitchen, bathhouse, and other wards by a covered walkway. It was meant to be a recreation hall, but it was also used for hospital administration until a new administration building was finished in 1910. In 1913, the main hall was made taller to create a larger space with high windows.

What MacDonald Hall Looks Like

MacDonald Hall is a single-story 'T'-shaped building with verandahs on three sides. The walkway that connected to its west side has been removed. It has red-brown brick walls with decorative bands and windows. The main hall's roof is supported by impressive timber trusses, and the ceiling is lined with wooden panels. The northern wing, which used to be a sewing room, has been divided into two rooms. The southern wing is not accessible. Fireplaces between the main hall and the wings have been bricked up. A small brick toilet addition was added to the south side.

Administration Block

History of the Administration Block

The Administration Building was finished in 1910, completing the first stage of the hospital's plan. This two-story brick building with a hipped roof and clock tower was different from the original drawing but in the same central spot.

The main entrance led to a central hall and a staircase. Offices for the Medical Superintendent, Assistant Medical Superintendent, and other staff were on the ground floor. Rooms for visitors were also there. The first floor had the Matron's bedroom, a sitting room, a library, and other rooms.

What the Administration Block Looks Like

The Administration block is a two-story brick building with a hipped corrugated iron roof and a clock tower in the middle. Its style matches the hospital but also shows the differences from when it was built.

It has a balanced layout and is located centrally between Ray House and Jofre House, and along the same line as McDonald Hall. It's connected to these buildings by a covered timber walkway.

The front of the building looks formal, raised on a stone base. It has an arcade (a row of arches) made of red-brown brick and stone. The corners of the arcade have stone walls that rise to form the solid balustrades (railings) of the verandah above. The timber verandah posts and beams suggest a more home-like feel on the first floor.

Some parts of the first-floor verandah have been enclosed with walls and aluminum windows. The two-story timber verandah at the back has also been enclosed on the first floor. Small brick additions have been added to the southwest and northwest corners.

Separate toilet buildings for males and females are located outside the south and north entrances. These are identical single-story brick buildings with hipped roofs and louvred windows.

Browne House (Male Ward E) and Whishaw House (Female Ward 5)

History of Browne and Whishaw Houses

Browne House and Whishaw House were built between 1917 and 1919. They were located west of Wards 4 and D. These two-story buildings provided more space for patients who needed less supervision. They were part of Dr. Ellerton's building program and were placed to face the grounds and views.

The ground floor had a large dining room, sitting room, dormitory, and bathrooms. The first floor had three large open dormitories.

What Browne and Whishaw Houses Look Like

These are large two-story buildings with corrugated iron roofs. They have red-brown brickwork on the first floor and rough-cast render above, with contrasting details and multi-paned windows. The central part of the front had a bay window on both levels. Two-story timber verandahs filled the space between the projecting parts of the front.

The single-story addition at the back of Browne House has been replaced by a large two-story brick addition built around 1970. Another single-story brick wing has been added to the western end of the north side.

Whishaw House is still mostly original, including its early bathroom and linen areas on the ground floor. The dining room is now used for patient recreation, and the first floor is empty.

James House and Hill House

History of James and Hill Houses

James House and Hill House were built between 1915 and 1917. They were admission wards, meaning they were for new patients. These buildings also followed the hospital's balanced layout but were set further away, overlooking the recreation ground. Dr. Ellerton wanted to provide more suitable and private accommodation for patients with better views. Each building housed 10 patients in single rooms, a dormitory of 12 beds, central sitting and dining rooms with bay windows, and a kitchen.

What James and Hill Houses Look Like

James and Hill Houses are a pair of single-story, U-shaped buildings with hipped corrugated iron roofs. They have red-brown brick walls with contrasting details and multi-paned windows. The verandah connecting the kitchen wing to the main building has been enclosed on both buildings.

James House is still original and is currently used as an office. Hill House also appears to be original, but access was not available.

Tredgold - Hospital Ward

History of Tredgold House

Tredgold House was built in 1917 as a hospital ward. It was for patients with physical health problems. It was one of three similar hospitals built at that time. Tredgold House continues to house patients today.

What Tredgold House Looks Like

Tredgold House is a single-story red-brown brick building with a large corrugated iron hipped roof. It has a balanced plan, with a prominent front entrance under a gabled end.

The balanced floor plan includes a central entrance hall and office areas. One wing contains the kitchen. A five-sided activity room opens into two other rooms. The two wings that angle off the corridor provide dormitory accommodation and a large activity room. Later additions have been made to the ends of these wings for more accommodation.

Assistant Medical Superintendent's Quarters

History of the Quarters

The house for the Assistant Medical Superintendent was built in 1898. It was a single-story brick house with a large hipped roof. It was located at the top of the slope on the western edge of the hospital site.

What the Quarters Look Like

The house is made of red-brown brick with a hipped corrugated iron roof and projecting gables. It has an unbalanced layout and includes an entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a servant's bedroom. The pantry, kitchen, and wash house are in a wing on the northwest corner. The house has five fireplaces and a verandah on the east and west sides.

This house is the oldest of five houses at the western end of the site, overlooking the hospital. The other houses, built from the 1930s to the 1960s, form a residential street for staff. The building is currently empty, but a tenant is being sought.

Medical Superintendent's Residence

History of the Residence

The house for the Medical Superintendent was built in 1888. It was a single-story brick house with a large hipped roof, located away from the main hospital complex to the southeast. Originally, the main part of the house had a T-shaped balanced layout with verandahs on the north, south, and east. It had a dining room, drawing room, and two large bedrooms, all with bay windows. Two smaller bedrooms were at the back, and a kitchen and pantry were on the southeast corner. A timber wing was added to the northwest corner, and a servant's bedroom and scullery were added to the kitchen in 1940.

What the Residence Looks Like

The house is made of red-brown brick on a rendered base, with a hipped corrugated iron roof. It has timber verandahs on the east and timber verandahs and a bedroom wing on the west. This building is still used by the Medical Superintendent.

Recreation Ground & Landscaping

History of the Grounds

The landscape is a very important part of Baillie Henderson Hospital. It helped create the pleasant environment needed for patient treatment in the 1800s and early 1900s. The site was shaped with terraces, and trees, hedges, and gardens were planted. Garden features like shelter sheds and fences were included to make a beautiful and peaceful place, while also keeping patients safely within the hospital.

The recreation ground, located in the center of the hospital plan, was a key part of Dr. Ellerton's plans for the second stage of the hospital's development. It provided a nice view from the buildings, looking through trees to a large oval and beyond.

What the Grounds Look Like

As you approach from the east, Baillie Henderson Hospital looks like a tree-covered sanctuary on the hillside, set back from the roads in a rural area. On the site, important and mature trees are planted along the main driveways to the hospital and houses. They are also planted around the buildings to provide shade and peaceful gardens, create nice views, and frame the recreation oval. These plantings include Bunya Pines and many other types of trees.

Why Baillie Henderson Hospital is Important

Baillie Henderson Hospital was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 September 1999. This means it meets certain important criteria:

• It shows how Queensland's history developed.

The hospital is important because it shows how mental health care changed in Queensland since 1890. Even though it has been changed and added to over the years, it represents an important time in mental health care and is the most complete group of mental health buildings from that period.

• It shows rare or special parts of Queensland's culture.

Of the three main mental health hospitals built in Queensland before 1920, Baillie Henderson Hospital is the only one with a formal, balanced site plan. It clearly shows this balance in its design and landscaping. It's also the only one that still has its rural setting. Other hospitals developed in less organized ways.

• It shows the main features of its type of place.

The hospital shows the ideas of mental health hospital design from the 1800s in its planning, landscaping, and building design. It clearly demonstrates the main features of a hospital based on these principles. The planning and design followed well-known ideas from books about building and managing mental health hospitals. These books emphasized the organized arrangement of wards and service buildings, and the need for order to manage many patients. The buildings built between 1888 and 1910 were arranged in a very organized way. Even with some older buildings removed and new ones added, the balanced plan is still very clear.

• It is beautiful and well-designed.

Baillie Henderson Hospital is important for the architectural beauty of its buildings, especially those built between 1888 and 1919. These include the Administration Building (1910), McDonald Hall (1888-1913), Jofre and Ray Houses (1888), Rush (1892) and Pinel (1891) Houses, Clouston House and the museum (1902), Browne and Whishaw House (1917), James and Hill Houses (1915–17), Tredgold House (1919), the Medical Superintendent's residence (1888), and the Assistant Medical Officer's Quarters (1899).

The hospital is also beautiful because of its setting. It's like a tree-covered haven in a rural landscape, with nice views from and to the site. Its old trees, including Bunya Pines, and its gardens and driveways, create a pleasant setting. This was a key feature of mental health hospital planning in the 1800s and early 1900s.

• It is connected to important people or groups in Queensland's history.

The hospital is important because of its connection to the work of Colonial Architect John James Clark and the Architectural Branch of the Department of Public Works. Clark was in charge of planning the site and designing the first hospital buildings. The second stage of hospital buildings was designed and built during a time when the Works Department produced very high-quality work.

It is also important because of its connection to Dr. Henry Byam Ellerton and his new approach to treating mental illness.

Notable People Who Worked Here

• Don Featherstone, who was a first aid instructor and painting teacher at the hospital.