Clewett's Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clewett's Building |
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Clewett's Building, 2009
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| Location | 250 Quay Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1887 |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Clewett's Building (former), Capricorn Survey Consultants Pty Ltd, Herron Todd White Building, JM Headrick & Co., W G Thompson & Co., Lamberton & Co., RM Gow & Co., St Andrew's Hospital, Herron Todd Valuers | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600814 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) c. 1887-ongoing (historical commercial use) |
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Clewett's Building is an old building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, that is protected for its history. It was built around 1887 and used to be a warehouse, which is a large building for storing goods. Over the years, it has been known by many names, including Capricorn Survey Consultants Pty Ltd and Herron Todd White Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992, meaning it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
History of Clewett's Building
This building was likely built around the mid-1880s. It was probably made for Felix Clewett, who was an important person in Queensland's government at the time. He was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council, which helped make laws for the state.
Early Days of Rockhampton
Rockhampton became a town and a port in 1858. This meant ships could bring goods directly there. The first plots of land were sold in November 1858. Charles Campen bought the land where Clewett's Building now stands in 1860. This spot was great because it was very close to the Fitzroy River wharves, where boats docked.
In 1884, Felix Clewett became the owner of the land. He kept it until he passed away in 1913. Before owning this land, Clewett worked as a surveyor, measuring land. He also ran a shop in Blackall that sold goods in large amounts and to individual customers.
Rockhampton's Growing Businesses
In the early days, Rockhampton had many local businesses. The first business owners came in the late 1850s, hoping to find gold nearby. More arrived in the 1860s. By the late 1800s, Rockhampton had many different companies. These companies offered services like shipping, trading, and helping with livestock.
Some important trading companies in the 1880s were John M Headrick & Co. and WG Thompson & Co. These local businesses were strong. They even made many of their own goods, like metal items and wooden products. This showed how self-sufficient Rockhampton was.
New Companies Arrive
Things started to change in the early 1890s. Larger companies from southern Australia began to open branches in Rockhampton. They were attracted by the wealth from the Mount Morgan Gold Mine and the farming areas around Rockhampton. These big companies started to take over from the smaller local businesses. One of the first big companies was Dalgety and Co, which opened an office in 1891.
JM Headrick & Co. at Clewett's Building
By 1887, JM Headrick and Andrew Newton, who ran JM Headrick & Co., moved their business into Clewett's Building. They signed a seven-year agreement to rent the space. Their newspaper ads in 1887 even mentioned the ships they used to bring goods from overseas. The Headrick family was very involved in Rockhampton's business and community.
In 1893, John Mackay Headrick continued the business with his brother Arthur. They were so successful that they moved to a new, bigger building in 1894. Even after moving, John Headrick and Felix Clewett stayed connected. John Headrick married Felix Clewett's daughter in 1890.
Clewett and Thompson and Other Businesses
After Headrick's company moved out, the Quay Street building was used by Clewett and Thompson. William George Thompson was a well-known agent for many companies. After fighting in the Boer War, Thompson returned to his business. He was also the president of the Rockhampton Chamber of Commerce. His company helped with insurance, shipping, and also sold groceries, drinks, and tobacco.
Felix Clewett had other interests too. From 1890, he was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council. In 1909, when steam trams made it easier to travel, Felix Clewett helped develop new housing areas. After Clewett died in 1913, Thompson bought the Quay Street building. Thompson later became a senator in the Australian Senate in 1922.
Later, other businesses used the building. Lamberton and Co., who sold wine and spirits, moved in after 1926. Other companies like Royal Insurance Co. also had offices there.
In 1943, RM Gow Pty Ltd took over the building. This company made food products and ran a wholesale grocery business from the site. In 1967, Walter Reid & Co. became the owner. They owned another warehouse nearby.
Modern Use of the Building
In 1976, the Presbyterian Church of Queensland bought the building. They planned to open a hospital, but it didn't happen. In 1979, Herron Todd Valuers bought the building.
The building was updated a lot in the late 1980s. Today, it is still used by the Capricorn Survey Group, which includes Herron Todd White Valuers.
What Clewett's Building Looks Like
Clewett's Building is on a street with many other historic buildings. These include the Walter Reid Court and the Heritage Tavern.
The building is made of brick and has two floors. The side facing Quay Street is painted and decorated. The back and other side are not painted. The roof is covered with corrugated iron and hidden behind walls called parapets.
Front of the Building
The front of the building, which is about nine metres wide, looks balanced and has classic details. These details are made from painted cement. The building has three main parts, with columns called pilasters at each end. The middle part sticks out a bit and has two decorative urns on top. This part also has fancy moldings and small block shapes called dentils.
A strong horizontal line runs across the front of the building. Below this line are windows on the upper floor. A central door opens onto a small balcony with a metal railing. This door has a semicircular window above it, called a fanlight. The windows on either side of the door also have arched tops. A covered walkway hangs over the footpath, separating the top and bottom parts of the building.
On the ground floor, there are four pilasters. Below the balcony, there are French doors with an arched fanlight. On either side of these doors are three windows.
Other Parts of the Building
Today, you enter the building through a side area near Quay Street. The long side of the building has several small, square windows. There's also an outdoor staircase leading to the upper floor. A small addition with a sloped roof has been built onto the ground floor at the back.
The back of the building has large doors for loading goods on the lower floor. Above these are three windows. The other side of the building has only three small windows.
Inside, the building has been changed a lot to create modern offices. A large room faces Quay Street on the ground floor. The upper floor has three rooms facing the street. Steel columns support the upper floor.
Why Clewett's Building is Important
Clewett's Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 because it meets certain important rules.
Showing History
The building was built in the mid-1880s for Felix Clewett. It helps us understand how trading businesses grew in Rockhampton, a big regional center in Queensland. It shows a time of growth in the late 1800s, thanks to trade at the port and the success of the Mount Morgan gold mines.
Showing Design
Clewett's Building is a great example of a late Victorian commercial building. Its front facade has classic details, while the sides and back are simpler, showing its practical purpose as a warehouse.
Aesthetic Value
The building still looks like a two-story warehouse and store. It helps keep the look and feel of the 19th-century business streetscape on Quay Street alive.
Images for kids
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Clewett's Building, 2009
