Casa Grande, Mount Isa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casa Grande |
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Casa Grande, 2001
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| Location | Nettle Street, Mount Isa, City of Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s - 1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1949 |
| Architect | Donoghue, Cusick & Edwards |
| Architectural style(s) | Spanish Mission |
| Official name: Casa Grande | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 28 May 1999 |
| Reference no. | 601094 |
| Significant period | 1949-1966, 1970 (fabric, historical) 1949- (social) |
| Significant components | tennis court, residential accommodation - main house, fence/wall - perimeter, views from, gate - entrance, views to, bridge - foot/pedestrian, driveway, garden/grounds, courtyard, furniture/fittings |
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Casa Grande is a special house in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1949 for the General Manager of Mount Isa Mines, Julius Kruttschnitt. This large house was designed by a famous firm called Donoghue, Cusick & Edwards. It shows the influence of places like Arizona and Mexico. Casa Grande is so important that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
History of Casa Grande
Building a Grand House
Work on Casa Grande started in 1949. It was meant to be a grand home for Julius Kruttschnitt II, who was the boss of Mount Isa Mines. The design of the house showed ideas from places like Arizona and Mexico, where Kruttschnitt had lived.
Tough Times for the Mine
Julius Kruttschnitt came to Mount Isa in 1930. The mine was struggling and had many money problems. This was during a time of great economic hardship in Australia. The price of lead, a key metal the mine produced, was very low.
Because of these money troubles, the company couldn't build fancy homes for its workers. Many lived in simple tin huts or tent houses. Kruttschnitt himself was not happy with his first small house.
The Mine Becomes Successful
Things started to get better for Mount Isa Mines after World War II. Copper became very important for factories and making supplies for the war. This meant the mine began producing a lot of copper.
After the war, the price of lead went up a lot. By 1947, for the first time ever, the mine made enough money to pay its investors. With more money, the company started building better homes for its many new workers. They also added fun places like tennis courts and a swimming pool.
A Home for the Boss
By the late 1940s, the company also focused on better homes for its top leaders. The building of Casa Grande began in 1949. It was for Julius Kruttschnitt, who was now the Chairman of Directors. The house was built overlooking older company homes.
The name "Casa Grande" means "big house." This name showed how successful Mount Isa Mines had become. It's a name often used in Arizona and New Mexico for the boss's house. The famous Brisbane architects Donoghue, Cusick and Edwards designed it. They likely used some of Kruttschnitt's own ideas.
Social Life at Casa Grande
Casa Grande quickly became a place for many important social events. In 1950, Mr. and Mrs. Kruttschnitt held a big housewarming party there. Guests were shown around the house, which was the largest and most detailed house built in that hot, dry part of Queensland.
The Kruttschnitts hosted many gatherings. For example, in 1951, they held a dinner for 80 employees and their wives. These employees had worked for the company for twenty years. An annual New Year's Eve party was another regular event.
New Residents and Royal Visits
Julius Kruttschnitt left his role in 1952. He was followed by George Read Fisher, who lived at Casa Grande with his family until 1966. During this time, much of the house's furniture was updated. Many of these pieces are still there today.
After 1966, Casa Grande became a special guest house. It hosted company directors and important visitors. In 1970, a suite in the house was redecorated for Queen Elizabeth, who visited Mount Isa. A large dining room table, made from one piece of cedar, was bought for her visit.
Casa Grande shows a time when Mount Isa Mines became very successful. After years of hard work, the company was making a lot of money. By 1955, MIM Ltd was the biggest mining company in Australia. It was known all over the world.
What Casa Grande Looks Like
Spanish Mission Style
Casa Grande is built in the Spanish Mission style. It has thick bricks and white outer walls covered in stucco. The white walls stand out against the dark wooden window frames and doors. The roof has red terracotta tiles, and there are balconies.
Design and Grounds
The house is large and shaped like a "U." This shape creates a courtyard in the middle. Verandas around the courtyard are supported by rough wooden posts. Casa Grande is built on a hill, so it's easy to see. It overlooks the mine and other old company houses.
The house is surrounded by well-kept gardens and a tennis court. The circular driveway and lush gardens are very impressive in such a dry area. They make the house look even more grand. This showed how important the Chairman of Directors was in the community.
The important parts of Casa Grande include the gardens. This area is bordered by the property fence, a footbridge, and the entrance.
Condition of the House
Casa Grande is in excellent condition. It still looks very much like it did when it was built. Some parts have been added over time, but they fit well with the original design. The furniture inside the house also matches its style and is important on its own.
Why Casa Grande is Important
Casa Grande was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 May 1999. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
- Shows Queensland's History: Casa Grande helps us understand how Mount Isa grew as a mining town.
- A Great Example of Style: It's a good example of the Spanish Mission architectural style.
- Looks Impressive: The house is a landmark in Mount Isa. Its grand look shows how important the mine manager's job was.
- Important to the Community: Casa Grande has social value for the people of Mount Isa. It's a well-known local home and a place where the community gathered.
- Connected to Important People: The house is strongly linked to MIM Directors Julius Kruttschnitt and George Fisher. Both were very famous people. Kruttschnitt's experiences in Mexico and Arizona might have even influenced the house's unique style.
