C J Edwards Chambers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids C J Edwards Chambers |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
C J Edwards Chambers, 1997
|
|
| Location | 174 Quay Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 - 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Edwin Morton Hockings |
| Official name: C J Edwards Chambers, River Motors Pty Ltd, Rockhampton Motors Garage and Engineers, Sydney V Golik and Co Motor and Car Truck Dealers | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600803 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) 1914-1959 (historical use) |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
C J Edwards Chambers is a historic building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It is located on Quay Street, right by the Fitzroy River. This building was designed by Edwin Morton Hockings and built in 1914. It has been known by several names, including River Motors Pty Ltd and Rockhampton Motors Garage. Today, it is recognized as an important heritage site.
Contents
The Story of C J Edwards Chambers
From Gold Rush to Garages
The area around Rockhampton was first explored by the Archer brothers in 1853. They were the first Europeans to map the Fitzroy River. Rockhampton became a town in 1858 after a short gold rush. It was declared a "port of entry", meaning ships could officially bring goods in and out.
In 1860, a store was set up on Quay Street. It served people traveling inland in central Queensland. This was not far from where the Archer brothers first landed.
The Rise of Motor Vehicles
In 1913, James Howard bought the property where C J Edwards Chambers now stands. James Howard was famous in Rockhampton for his motor vehicle and bicycle business. His family was very important in bringing cars to the area. For example, James's father, William Howard, built Rockhampton's first motorcycle in 1898! He was even called the "father of the automobile industry" in Rockhampton.
Howard & Co. was one of the first businesses to sell cars and motorcycles in central Queensland. They sold popular car brands like Buick and Cadillac. They also sold motorcycles from Triumph.
A New Garage is Built
As cars became more popular, Howard Motor & Cycle Company needed a bigger space. In 1913, they hired Edwin Morton Hockings to design a new concrete garage on Quay Street. Hockings was a well-known architect in Queensland. He designed many important buildings, including the Rockhampton Girls Grammar School.
The new garage opened in July 1914. It was called Howard's Motor Garage. Cars like Buicks would arrive by ship at the nearby wharves. Then, they would be driven straight up Quay Street to the new garage. This building was designed to be a showroom and a place for repairs.
Changing Hands and Uses
Over the years, the garage changed names several times. In 1927, it became the Rockhampton Motor Garage and Engineers. Later, in 1938, it was renamed River Motors Pty Ltd.
In 1947, the business changed hands again to Sydney V Golik and Co. They sold cars and trucks. They even displayed farm vehicles like tractors. A large electric sign was added to the front of the building.
Finally, in 1959, C J Edwards and Co. Ltd bought the property. They were a public accounting company. They turned the garage into offices for different businesses. This meant big changes inside the building. Today, it still houses various offices.
What the Building Looks Like
Edwards Chambers is a single-story building on Quay Street in Rockhampton. It faces the Fitzroy River. The building has walls made of rendered masonry, which is like brick covered in a smooth plaster. It has a roof made of corrugated iron.
The front of the building, facing Quay Street, has a large awning that sticks out over the sidewalk. The middle part of the front has a decorative curved top. The words "EDWARDS CHAMBERS" are painted there. Below, you can see windows and glass doors. On either side of the middle section, there are large archways. These used to be open entrances for cars, but now they have glass doors and windows.
Inside, the building was originally a large open space for the car showroom. Today, it has been divided into many smaller offices. There is a central hallway with offices on either side.
Why It's a Heritage Site
C J Edwards Chambers is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
It is important for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history changed: The building helps us understand how motor transport developed in Rockhampton. It shows the kind of places needed to sell and fix cars in the early 1900s. It's a great example of an early motor garage that is still mostly in its original form.
- It's connected to important people and groups: The building is linked to Howard & Co. This company was one of the first to sell cars and motorcycles in Rockhampton. They grew to be a major car dealer across Queensland. The building also shows the work of Edwin Morton Hockings, a famous architect. He designed many important buildings in the Rockhampton area.
