East Maitland Police Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Maitland Police Station |
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| Location | 20 John Street, East Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1870–1871 |
| Owner | NSW Police Service |
| Official name: Police Station (East Maitland); East Maitland Police Lock-up (1870-c1914); Police Residence (c1914-1998?) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1016 |
| Type | Police station |
| Category | Law Enforcement |
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The East Maitland Police Station is a special old building in East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a police station and a lock-up (a place to hold people temporarily). Today, it is a home. This building was constructed between 1870 and 1871. It was used as a lock-up until about 1914. After that, it became a home for police officers until around 1998. Because of its history, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
What is the History of the East Maitland Police Station?
How the Building Started
The idea for a new police station began in 1870. The government asked for plans to build it on the land near the gaol (prison). The new building was finished in 1871. It was made with strong local stone for the base. The walls were brick. The wood used for building was blue gum and tallowwood. Inside, the fine wood details were made from cedar. The cells (holding rooms) and the charge-room (where people were processed) originally faced John Street.
Changes Over Time
In 1914, the building changed. The area's population was growing. Also, ideas about police work were changing. So, the building became a home for police officers. The old cells and charge room were turned into three bedrooms. A sitting room and a verandah (a covered porch) were added to the front. New cells and a yard for prisoners were built behind the main building. Around 1968, it became the home for the superintendent of the nearby Maitland Gaol. For many years, it was separate from the rest of the prison area. But in 1972, two houses for prison officers were built between it and the gaol.
What Does the Old Police Station Look Like?
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This building is a single-storey cottage. It is made of brick with a smooth finish. It is built in the Victorian Classical style. This style often uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It also has its original lock-up section.
What Condition is the Building In Today?
The house still has many of its important original parts. This includes its basic shape and wooden details. It also has two chimneys. The old cells and the yard are still there. However, the yard now has a roof over it and is used as a garage. The area around the building has changed a bit. The original wall around the property is gone. It has been replaced by different types of fences. The front garden also looks different from how it was originally. Some plants hide the house from view. The roof is now made of concrete tiles. It was probably slate originally. The colours inside and outside the building have also been changed. These changes make it harder to see how the building looked when it was first built.
Why is the East Maitland Police Station a Heritage Site?
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The former East Maitland Police Lock-up is very important for several reasons:
- It was built very well using materials from the local area.
- It fits in with the other old buildings nearby, like the Gaol and Courthouse.
- It shows how police services have changed over more than 120 years.
- It is an example of a common police lock-up design used in the Hunter Valley area. It is also important because it is part of a larger area related to law and order.
The East Maitland Police Station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it met certain rules to be considered a heritage site.
What Makes it a Special Place?
This building helps us understand how police work has changed since 1871. You can compare it to the newer homes built for prison officers. It is also near the former police station from 1972. This allows us to see how East Maitland police stations have changed over a century. Buildings like this one are common in the Hunter Region. Many of them have been turned into homes. While not extremely rare, this building is a good example of its type. It is also important as part of the area's history of law enforcement.
