Barnes and Co. Trading Place facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barnes and Co. Trading Place |
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Smith & Miller Building (formerly Barnes & Co), 2015
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| Location | 118 Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1910 - 1911 |
| Architect | Wallace & Gibson |
| Official name: Barnes and Co. Trading Place, Smith and Miller Furniture Store | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600956 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) 1911-ongoing (historical retail use) |
| Significant components | hoist, safe |
| Builders | M Ivory |
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The Barnes and Co. Trading Place is a historic building in Warwick, Australia. It used to be a big department store. Today, it is known as the Smith & Miller Furniture Store. This special building was designed by Wallace & Gibson. It was built between 1910 and 1911 by M Ivory. The building is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992.
Contents
History of Barnes and Co. Trading Place
How Department Stores Began
The Barnes & Co department store was built in 1910-1911. It was designed by local architects Wallace and Gibson. People at the time called it a "trade palace." Department stores became very popular in the mid-1800s. They were large buildings, often with many floors. These stores looked impressive, almost like public monuments.
By the time of the First World War, department stores were very common. They were a favorite place for middle-class shoppers. These stores offered many more goods than smaller shops. Shoppers also felt more comfortable there.
The Story of Barnes & Co.
Barnes & Co in Warwick was a typical early Australian department store. The company had been trading in Warwick since 1874. Over the years, it grew a lot. This growth led to the building we see today.
George Powell Barnes started Barnes & Co. He was born in 1856 in Victoria. George moved to Queensland as a child. His father worked for Cobb & Co, a famous coach company. George worked as a cashier in different stores. In 1878, he moved to Warwick and opened his own store.
Early stores like his were very important for farmers. Farmers lived far apart and needed help selling their goods. Stores acted as a link between farmers and buyers. They helped make sure goods and produce were sold.
In 1880, George Barnes started a new company. He teamed up with his brother, Walter Henry Barnes, and Mr. T.F. Merry. This new company was called Barnes and Company Limited. They owned businesses in Warwick, Allora, Yangan, and other towns. They also owned flour mills.
Building the "Trade Palace"
In 1898, Wallace & Gibson, the architects, asked for bids to build a business. This was for Barnes & Co at a different location. That stone building was known as the Emporium. It sold many different things. These included clothing, groceries, furniture, and farm machinery.
The biggest step for Barnes & Co was building their "trade palace." This is the building at Palmerin and King Streets. George Powell Barnes bought the land for this new store in 1907.
The building was constructed by Mr. M Ivory. It cost a lot of money back then, about £9000. When it opened, local newspapers praised it. They said it showed how much Warwick was growing. The store was a big addition to Warwick in 1911. It was also very grand and well-designed.
Inside the Store
The building had beautiful brickwork and plaster details. Inside, it had high-quality finishes. These included a special ceiling and large glass windows. A "Lamson pneumatic railway system" was installed. This system used tubes to send cash and papers quickly. It connected 19 sales points to a cash office.
The store had excellent lighting. Electrical engineers helped install an electric generator. This provided power for lights and other needs. The roof also had several skylights. These let in natural light.
The ground floor had huge glass windows facing the streets. It was divided into many departments. These included menswear, groceries, and furniture. The upper floor had ladies' clothing and fitting rooms. There was also a staff lunchroom.
The Barnes family owned the property until the late 1950s. Since then, other businesses have used the building.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Barnes & Co. Store is made of brick. It has one and two stories. It sits on a corner, facing both King Street and Palmerin Street. The two-story part is in the middle, at the corner. Single-story sections extend along both streets.
Outside Features
The building is mostly brick. It has decorative plaster on the street sides. There are large glass shop windows on the ground floor. A roof-like structure, called an awning, sticks out over the sidewalk. The roof is made of corrugated iron and has skylights. Today, the building houses a furniture store.
The two-story corner part has six sections on each street side. These sections are separated by decorative columns called pilasters. Between them are pairs of windows. Above the windows is a decorative ledge, or cornice. The top of the wall, called a parapet, has round designs.
The shop windows are very large. They are separated by thin metal posts called mullions. Behind these, round metal columns support the brick wall above. The shopfront has recessed areas leading to the entrance doors. These are double doors with glass and panels.
Inside Features
The ground floor is a large open space. It has columns supporting the ceiling. There is a high ceiling with fancy pressed metal designs. A wooden mezzanine (a partial floor) has been added. A steel staircase leads up to it.
On the south wall, there is a large arched opening. This leads to the single-story section. In one corner, there is a strong walk-in safe. A wooden staircase with decorative railings, called balusters and newels, is on the eastern wall. You can also see some old sandstone walls. These might be from a building that was there before.
The single-story sections have been divided into smaller shops. Their original ceilings are now covered.
The first floor is also an open space. It has wooden posts supporting steel roof beams. You can see where the building's old lift used to be. There are also toilets and a caged service hoist (a machine for lifting things).
The back of the building has different walls. These are made of timber, brick, and stone. There are also sloped roofs that create loading areas. A wooden ramp leads into the building from here.
Why Barnes and Co. Trading Place is Important
Barnes and Co. Trading Place was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is a very important historical site.
A Look into Queensland's Past
This building shows how Warwick grew in the early 1900s. It also shows how trading companies and department stores developed in Queensland. It highlights the growth of the important Barnes & Co. company.
A Great Example of a Department Store
The building is a good example of an early 20th-century department store. You can still see how it was originally laid out. The shop front and ceilings are still in good condition.
Beautiful and Important to the Town
The building is a large, well-designed structure. It stands out on Palmerin Street, which is the main shopping street in Warwick. Its design adds to the beauty of the town.
Connected to a Key Person
The building has a special link to George Barnes. He was a very important person in Warwick's history.
Images for kids
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Barnes and Company Limited Emporium Stores, Warwick, 1901
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George Powell Barnes, 1907
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Smith & Miller Building, 2015
