Civic Club, Charters Towers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Civic Club |
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Civic Club, 1985
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| Location | 36 Ryan Street, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Official name: Civic Club, Londoners' Club | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600398 |
| Significant period | c. 1900, c. 1942 (fabric) 1900-1980 (historical) 1900-ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | air raid shelter, other - social/community: component, billiards room |
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The Civic Club is a special old building in Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1900 as a clubhouse. It's also known as the Londoners' Club. This building is important because of its history and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. It's a great example of a club from a long time ago.
The Club's Story
The Civic Club building was built in 1900. It was a place for members of the Londoners' Club to relax and have fun. This club started way back in 1877. Members used to meet informally at a hotel in Charters Towers.
Charters Towers: A Gold Rush Town
Charters Towers became a very rich gold mining town in the late 1800s. Gold was found there in 1871. The town grew very fast and became an official town in 1877. A railway was built in 1882. This made it easier to transport gold and supplies. Many people moved to Charters Towers for work. The town became a busy and successful place.
From Hotel Meetings to Their Own Clubhouse
In the early days, the Londoners' Association met in hotels. Hotels were common meeting places. But meeting in a hotel had some downsides. It could be noisy, and there wasn't much privacy. So, clubs that met regularly often decided to get their own buildings.
In 1885, the club bought land for their own clubhouse. Charters Towers was booming in the 1880s and 1890s. Many grand buildings were built. In 1900, the Londoners' Association opened their new clubhouse. They became known as the Londoners' Club.
What the Clubhouse Offered
The new clubhouse had a bar and comfortable rooms. These rooms were well-lit for playing billiards and card games. Card games were sometimes restricted in hotels. The club offered a private place for these activities. They also held "smoke concerts." These were informal events where members entertained each other.
Who Joined the Club?
The club was only for men until 1980. Many important men from Charters Towers were members. These included people involved in mining, business, and other important jobs. Being part of such a club was important for business and social life. Visitors from other countries, like London and South Africa, were often entertained at the club. This helped local businessmen make connections. In 1907, the club changed its name to the Civic Club.
Changes Over Time
The clubhouse was built when Charters Towers had its largest population, about 27,000 people. But after 1899, gold production started to slow down. Gold prices also dropped. By 1920, only one mine was still working. Many people and businesses left the town. The population dropped by more than half after World War I. This also meant fewer members for the Civic Club.
However, Charters Towers found a new purpose. Many large buildings were empty. Churches started opening boarding schools there. Charters Towers became an important education center. The Civic Club kept going. It still has its original billiard tables. It often holds snooker tournaments.
In 1980, the club started letting women join. This helped the club grow and get new members. The Civic Club is now one of the few old clubs like it still operating in a country town.
What the Civic Club Looks Like
The Civic Club is a single-story building. It's mostly made of timber. The front has a special covering called fibrous cement. It has an L-shape with a roof that sticks out at the front. There's a porch, called a verandah, that goes across the front and along one side. This verandah has a pretty metal railing and decorative wood panels. The roof is made of corrugated iron. It has three tall windows on the roof, called clerestories. These windows let in light and fresh air to the main rooms.
Inside the Clubhouse
Inside, the building looks like it was made just for a club. It has three main rooms. There's also a kitchen area at the back. The main rooms have wooden walls and fancy metal ceilings. The tall windows also have metal lining. The biggest room holds the billiard tables. The old card room is divided by decorative wooden screens. Arches connect the different rooms. The bar is at the back of the card room. Toilets were added on part of the verandah.
Most of the inside of the building is still original. The bar has been changed a little. Many of the old furnishings are still there. These include photos, trophies, lights, shelves, and cue racks. They are an important part of the building's history.
The club is on a smaller piece of land now. Other buildings are close by on two sides. A tall fence is at the front. You can still see some signs of old pathways and garden edges. In the back, there's a covered area called a pergola and a barbecue spot. There's also a concrete air raid shelter.
Why the Civic Club is Important
The Civic Club is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's a very important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
Charters Towers was a very rich goldfield. It helped Queensland's economy a lot in the late 1800s. The Civic Club shows us what life was like for important people back then. It reflects their interests and how they spent their free time. The club's existence shows how important Charters Towers was at the turn of the century.
A Rare Example
The Civic Club is special because it's a gentlemen's club. Not many clubs like this were built outside of big cities in Australia. It's even more unique because the club still owns and uses the building today.
A Great Example of a Club
The building is still very much like it was when it was built. It's a great example of a recreational club. The rooms were specially designed for playing cards and billiards.
Beautiful Design
The Civic Club is a well-designed building from Charters Towers' richest time. It adds a lot to the look and feel of the town. Its shape, size, and materials make it stand out.
Strong Community Connection
This building was made specifically for the club. It has been continuously used by the Londoners' Club, later the Civic Club, for over a hundred years. It has a strong connection with the community and its members.
