Freckleton's Stores, Camooweal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Freckleton's Stores, Camooweal |
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Freckleton's Stores
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| Location | Barkly Street, Camooweal, City of Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1895 - 1950s |
| Official name: Freckleton's Stores, Synnot and Co., Synnot, Murray and Scholes | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600739 |
| Significant period | 1890s, 1900s, 1950s (fabric) c. 1895-ongoing (historical use) |
| Significant components | footpath, furniture/fittings, steps/stairway, kerbing and channelling, wall/s - retaining |
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Freckleton's Stores is a special group of old shops located on Barkly Street in Camooweal, Queensland, Australia. These buildings were constructed between around 1895 and the 1950s. They are also known by other names like Synnot and Co., or Synnot, Murray and Scholes. Because of their importance, they were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means they are protected as a part of Queensland's history.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Freckleton's Stores
The town of Camooweal was officially started in 1884. It grew into an important center for the large cattle stations in the outback. Camooweal was also very important before Australia became a united country (Federation). It was only seven miles from the border with South Australia, which is now the Northern Territory. This meant it was a place where customs duties (taxes on goods) were collected.
Early Owners and the First Store
The land where the stores stand was first given to Thomas Harding in 1888. Then, Frank Frith, a storekeeper in Camooweal, bought it in 1891. In 1893, John Affleck became the owner.
Around 1895, Affleck took out a loan from Patrick Synnott. This suggests that the first building, a general store, was built around this time. This store sold large amounts of everyday items like flour, sugar, and tea.
Later, around 1901, a "bond store" was built next to the general store. This new building was used to sell spirits (alcoholic drinks) in larger containers. It became known as the "gallon licence" store.
Connections to Burketown and New Names
Even though Normanton became the main port for the Gulf of Carpentaria, Camooweal got most of its supplies from Burketown. Affleck and Synnott were merchants (traders) from Burketown. Their company was called Affleck, Synnott and Co.
The name Synnott and Co. was first recorded for the Camooweal stores in 1903. In 1906, Affleck took out another loan, this time from a big company called Burns Philp.
Patrick Synnott took full ownership of the stores in 1911. By 1918, the business was known as Synnott, Murray and Scholes. Patrick's son, James H. Synnott, managed the stores in Camooweal from 1934 to 1940.
The Freckleton Family Takes Over
In 1943, a man named Joseph Freckleton bought the business and its buildings. He was originally from South Australia and worked as a tank sinker and teamster.
By the 1940s, the business had become an agent for companies like Shell and Qantas. This was a big advantage during World War II. Camooweal was a military supply center, and Freckleton could provide aviation fuel and other services needed for the war effort.
By the late 1940s, the Freckleton family owned several buildings in Camooweal. This included the general store and the gallon licence store. Around 1950, another store was moved onto the property. It was placed next to the gallon licence building. This third building was used as a cafe and milkbar until the early 1980s.
Improvements and Later Years
Joseph Freckleton made many improvements in the early 1950s. He laid concrete footpaths and street gutters. He also built concrete walls around the old stone footpath outside the general store.
During this time, Freckleton also bought, took apart, and resold old army building materials. He used some of these to build timber storage racks between the general store and the gallon licence. He also built a large iron shed at the back of the property for storing things like fuel and drinks in bulk.
Joseph Freckleton passed away in 1964. Control of the stores went to two of his children, Joseph Freckleton and Lillian Ada Miller. In the early 1970s, major repairs were done on the buildings. A kitchen and toilet were added to the back of the cafe for the manager. A carport was also built at the rear of the property.
In 2009, after Joe Freckleton died, his sister Ada closed the store. She also closed the Barkly History Museum, which was inside the store. At 82 years old, she could no longer run the business.
What Freckleton's Stores Look Like
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Freckleton's Stores are made up of several single-story buildings. They are built from timber and covered with corrugated iron. These buildings include the Old Store (built around 1895) and the Bond Store/Gallon Licence (built around 1901). There is also an iron-covered timber storage rack and a carport on the property.
The Old Store
The Old Store has corrugated iron panels running up and down on its timber frame. It has a simple pointed roof (called a gabled roof) with smaller, sloping roofs (called skillions) on the sides. The roof is held up by timber beams and posts. The floor sits directly on the ground, which has caused some issues with termites (white ants).
Inside, the store has many wooden shelves that were built by hand. These were used to store large items like flour. Outside, a wide cover (called an awning) stretches across the front of the building facing the street. It is supported by five strong, round timber posts. This awning covers a part of the footpath. The footpath is made of local limestone slabs set in a mix of antbed and concrete. A low concrete wall holds it in place. The building has double doors at both the front and the back.
The Bond Store/Gallon Licence
The Bond Store/Gallon Licence building has corrugated iron panels running horizontally. It also has a simple gabled roof with skillions. This building sits higher than the street on round timber stumps and steel posts.
Inside, the store is lined with stained timber. It has many built-in timber shelves, cupboards, and counters. An awning covers the front of this building too, supported by steel posts.
These two buildings look very similar in their design and materials. They stand out in the street as a rare example of old corrugated iron stores.
Why Freckleton's Stores Are Important
Freckleton's Stores were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means they are recognized as important for several reasons:
- Showing Queensland's History: These stores help us understand how Queensland developed, especially in the north-west outback. They also show how Burketown was a key place for supplying goods to this region.
- Showing Building Style: They are great examples of what early corrugated iron stores in the outback looked like. They show the main features of these types of buildings.
- Aesthetic Value: Many people in the community value how these buildings look. They add a special character to the streetscape of Camooweal.
- Community Connection: As long-standing stores in Camooweal and the north-west, they have a strong and special connection with the local community. They are a part of the town's history and identity.
