G Wyman Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids G Wyman Building |
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G Wyman Building, 2009
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| Location | 140 - 142 Patrick Street, Laidley, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1906 - 1906 |
| Official name: G Wyman Building | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600654 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) 1906-ongoing (historical use as a shop) |
| Significant components | furniture/fittings |
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The G Wyman Building is a historic shop located at 140–142 Patrick Street in Laidley, Australia. It is a two-storey brick building with a metal roof that sticks out over the footpath. This building was constructed in 1906. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Contents
Building's Story
The G Wyman Building was built in 1906. This was a time when Laidley was doing very well financially. The new brick building replaced an older wooden shop that George Wyman had opened in 1883. We don't know who designed this building.
Laidley's Growth
Around the early 1900s, the Lockyer Valley area was one of the richest farming regions in Queensland. This wealth led to a lot of new construction in Laidley. The town almost doubled in size! Many old wooden buildings were replaced with strong brick ones. For example, the new Exchange Hotel was built around 1902. Other new buildings included Neilson's Central Hall (1902) and Whitehouse's Bakery (1904). Laidley became so important that it got its own town council in 1902.
George Wyman's Life
George Wyman was a very successful and active person in Laidley. He was born in England, but his family moved to Australia when he was a baby. He learned about the grocery business in Ipswich, Queensland. He even owned a shop there for a few years. His brother, Henry, was a famous architect in Ipswich and was even the Mayor of Ipswich.
George Wyman started his business in Laidley in 1883. He did very well and married Ruth White, who was from Laidley. They had one son and two daughters. In 1884, George and Ruth bought land next to each other on Patrick Street. Their land was close to the Exchange Hotel and the railway line, which was a good spot for a business.
Wyman's Store and Community Role
George ran his business from a wooden building for many years. He was also very involved in the community. Newspapers often wrote about his activities. His wife, Ruth, often hosted social events at their home. By 1890, George was selling many things, like groceries, farm products, and clothes. He was also the Secretary of the Laidley Agricultural Society and President of the Laidley Cricket Club. He even served as a justice of the peace, helping with local legal matters.
In 1902, George was elected the first Mayor of Laidley. He served in this role for one year. In 1906, he bought a small piece of land from the owner of the Exchange Hotel. This was so he could build a shared wall for his new brick store. This new store covered both his and his wife's land. The wood from his old shop was used to build a house nearby. By 1907, Wyman also had another store in Forest Hill.
Family Business Continues
George Wyman passed away in 1911. His property was then looked after by his wife and daughter, Ada Ruth. The business stayed in the family, passing down to other relatives. In 1971, a company called Wyman's Pty Ltd became the owners. After George's death, his son Charles took over running the store.
Wyman's Store traditionally sold groceries, hardware, clothing, and even offered dressmaking and hat-making services. When cars became popular, they also opened a petrol station. In the early 1900s, Wyman's employed 22 staff members. These included trained drapers (people who sold fabric) and milliners (people who made hats).
In 1939, Charles Wyman died. The business was then rented out until Charles' son, Trevor, took charge in 1950. By this time, selling all kinds of general goods was not as profitable. So, Wyman's started to focus more on clothing and hats.
Another Wyman's store opened in Gatton in 1958. Trevor's son, David, started working there in 1964. His other son, Ross, began working at the Laidley store in 1971. David and Ross Wyman still run these stores today.
The store in Laidley is still very much like it was originally. One big change was removing a half-floor at the back. This area used to be for hat-making. A large "flying-fox" winch, which was used to move goods around the store, was also removed later in the 20th century.
Building's Look
Wyman's clothing store is on the east side of Patrick Street in Laidley. It is surrounded by other old buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is a single-storey brick building. It has a fancy, decorated wall at the top called a parapet. A curved iron roof, called a bullnosed awning, stretches over the footpath. This awning is held up by wooden posts with decorative tops and brackets.
Below the awning, the front of the building has large glass display windows. These windows are framed in wood and are on either side of the main entrance.
Above the awning, the decorated parapet rises above the roof. It has the words "G. Wyman Estd. 1883" carved into it. Above that, on a half-circle shape, it says "A.D. 1906". This parapet is part of a continuous line of brick fronts along Patrick Street, making the street look very neat and historic.
Inside the Store
Inside the store, you can still see many of the original features. It's a large, open space. The ceilings are high and have special square patterns called coffered ceilings. They also have diagonal wooden boards and decorative ceiling roses. There are many wooden columns with fancy tops. The walls have decorative cast iron vents.
The most interesting original feature is the large wooden service counter in the middle of the store. It's a big square with space in the middle for the staff. The counter has diagonal wooden boards and decorative pilasters (flat columns). It also has wide spaces for serving customers.
There is a small office in one corner and some fitting rooms in another. The floor is covered with linoleum. The brick walls are painted white. You can see where old windows on the northern wall were closed up.
Why it's Important
The G Wyman Building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
Queensland's History
Wyman's Store is important because it shows how country general stores helped rural communities in Queensland. Its construction in 1906 also shows a time when Laidley was growing and becoming more stable financially. This was a common trend in many country towns in Queensland back then.
Special Building Features
This building is a great example of a large country general store. It still has its original open layout, big shop front windows, and the central service counter. These features help us understand what stores were like in the early 1900s.
Beautiful Design
The building has high aesthetic value, meaning it's very pleasing to look at. It adds a lot to the look of Patrick Street in Laidley. Its design and decorations are typical for this type of building from that time, making it beautiful and historically significant.
Community Connection
The G Wyman Building has a strong connection with the Laidley community. It's a local landmark that makes the town look special. It has also been a place where people can get services for over a hundred years.
Important People
The building is specially linked to the life and work of George Wyman. He was the first Mayor of Laidley when it became its own local government area. Three generations of his family have continued to run the store, making it a significant part of Queensland's history.
