Charters Towers Police Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charters Towers Police Station |
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Charters Towers Police Station, 1997
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| Location | 49 Gill Street, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Thomas Pye |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Charters Towers Police Station, Police Barracks | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600401 |
| Significant period | 1910s (historical) 1910s (fabric) |
| Significant components | roof/ridge ventilator/s / fleche/s, police station |
| Builders | T Johnson |
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The Charters Towers Police Station is a historic building located at 49 Gill Street in Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by architect Thomas Pye and built in 1910 by T Johnson. This important building is also known as the Police Barracks. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992, which means it is officially recognized as a place of special historical importance.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Police Station
The Charters Towers Police Station was designed by the Queensland Government Architect's Office. Thomas Pye, who was the Deputy Government Architect, signed the plans. The building was finished in 1910 by a builder named T Johnson.
Gold Rush and Growing Needs
In December 1871, gold was discovered in Charters Towers. This discovery made the town grow very quickly. As more people moved in, there was a greater need for police officers to keep the peace. By 1872, the Charters Towers police station became the second most important in Queensland, right after Brisbane. It had 24 police officers working there.
Before the current building, there was an older wooden police barracks on the same site. This wooden building was expanded in 1891 and again in 1894. By 1907, plans were being made to replace it with a new, stronger brick building. The old wooden building was moved to the back of the property and later sold.
Building the New Station
The Queensland Government set aside money in 1908 for the new police station. In February 1909, the first plans were drawn up. A local builder from Charters Towers, T Johnson, won the contract to build it. The construction was planned to take eight months and included building fences and gates.
During construction in June 1910, some of the bricks were found to be faulty. The builder was told to use these bricks only for inside walls. Better quality bricks were used for the outside of the building.
When it was finished, the police station was a two-storey building made of red bricks. On the ground floor, there were offices for the inspector, sergeant, and clerk. There was also a large day room for constables, a kitchen, and a dining area on a verandah. Upstairs, there were large dormitories (sleeping areas) and three bathrooms.
Changes Over Time
For many years, the building did not have many big changes. A septic system was installed in 1960. In 1975, the station became a district headquarters, which meant some changes were made inside.
The 1988 Fire and Rebuilding
On 13 May 1988, the police station was badly damaged by a fire. The roof collapsed, and most of the inside was destroyed. However, the strong brick outer walls and an internal brick wall survived. Parts of the timber verandahs and most of the timber floor also remained. A separate brick kitchen building at the back also had its roof collapse, and its brick shell survived, but this building was later pulled down.
At first, it seemed like the building might be completely demolished and the land sold. But the community felt very strongly about saving it. Many people wrote letters and signed a petition with 2,000 names (out of the town's 8,000 residents). They wanted to keep the building because it was an important part of the street and the town's history. Because of this strong support, the Queensland Government provided money to repair the building.
The inside of the building was rebuilt, though it didn't look exactly like it did before. A new section, including a modern watch-house, was added to the back. The building was back in use as the police station by late 1990. It was officially reopened on 19 March 1991.
What the Police Station Looks Like
The Charters Towers Police Station is a two-storey brick building with a timber verandah at the front. The main front of the building faces south towards Gill Street. Gill Street is the main street in Charters Towers and still has many old shops and public buildings. The Police Station is right in the middle of this historic business area. Behind the main building, there is a single-storey section that holds the watch-house.
Outside Appearance
The Police Station stands out between the single-storey shops next to it. It has a two-storey front and a small garden in front. A white timber picket fence marks the front of the property. This fence has openings for both entrances to the verandah.
The main part of the building is shaped like a rectangle and is made of brick. It has a hipped roof covered with corrugated steel. A timber decoration called a fleche is in the middle of the roof. The roof also extends to cover the front verandah.
The outside walls at the front and sides are made of face brickwork, which is now painted. Above the upper windows, the walls are covered in a rough plaster finish. The front verandah does not go all the way to the ends of the building. This leaves a small space at each end for a double-hung window on both levels.
The verandah has parts that stick out at each end, over the entrances. It has double posts at the corners. Both levels of the verandah have a slatted balustrade (a railing with vertical slats). There are also decorative carved panels. The lower level has an arched timber valance (a decorative border). Steps lead up to the lower timber verandah, and there is also a timber ramp for easy access.
French doors with fanlights (small windows above the doors) allow access to the front verandah on both levels. The side walls have double-hung windows with slatted window hoods. The back verandah area has been enclosed with timber and connected to the concrete block watch-house section.
Inside the Building
The inside of the front part of the building has been set up as offices and work areas. The ceilings and dividing walls are made of plasterboard.
The property goes all the way through to Ryan Street at the back. Behind the watch-house, there are driveways and parking areas.
Why It's a Heritage-Listed Place
The Charters Towers Police Station was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
The Police Station helps us understand how the police force played a role in the growth of Queensland towns. This is especially true for gold mining towns like Charters Towers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The police have been using this central spot for over 100 years, making them an important part of the city's business area.
A Special Type of Building
This police station is a great example of the high-quality public buildings designed by the Government Architect's Office. It is one of the few remaining examples of an early 20th-century police barracks. Other similar buildings in North Queensland, like those in Townsville and Cairns, have been demolished.
Its Beautiful Look
Located on Gill Street, the main street of Charters Towers, the Police Station adds a lot to the historic look of the city's commercial area. Its two-storey height and its position set back from the street make it stand out. It is also one of the few old brick buildings in the central business district that still shows its original brickwork, unlike many others that have been covered with plaster.
Important to the Community
After the big fire in 1988, the community showed how important this building was to them. People signed petitions and wrote letters, asking for the building to be saved and rebuilt instead of being torn down. This showed how much the building meant to the people of Charters Towers.
