Gayndah Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gayndah Court House |
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Gayndah Court House, 2008
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| Location | 20 Capper Street, Gayndah, North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architect | Department of Public Works (Queensland) |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Court House, Gayndah | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 13 January 1995 |
| Reference no. | 601294 |
| Significant period | 1920s (historical) 1928-1940s (fabric) 1928 ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | office/s, trees/plantings, court house |
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The Gayndah Court House is a special old building in Gayndah, Queensland, Australia. It's a courthouse, which is a place where legal cases are heard and decisions are made. This building was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works and finished in 1928. It's so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on January 13, 1995, meaning it's protected for future generations.
Contents
History of the Gayndah Court House
Early Days of Gayndah
The town of Gayndah was officially started in 1849. It grew as a central spot for many large sheep farms in the Burnett area during the 1840s. For a short time, some people even thought Gayndah might become the capital city of Queensland, competing with Brisbane!
Gayndah also became an important place for government services. A school (Gayndah State School) opened in 1861. A post office and a court house were also built. By the late 1800s, cattle farming became more popular than sheep. Growing citrus fruits also became a big business. These activities helped Gayndah grow into the town it is today.
Building the New Court House
The first court house in Gayndah was built around the 1850s. It was located a bit far from the main part of town. By the mid-1910s, this old building was too small and not in a good spot. So, people decided a new court house was needed.
In 1922, a piece of land on Capper Street, right in the middle of town, was set aside for the new building. Plans were drawn up in 1923, but it took until 1927 for the final designs to be ready.
The new court house was finished in October 1928. It opened in early 1929. This new building had space for court cases, police magistrates (who are like judges for smaller cases), and other public offices. It also housed the Land Commissioner, who deals with land matters, and the Dairy Inspector.
The design of this court house is a bit different from many other timber court houses. Usually, the main court room is at the front. But here, the offices are at the front, closer to the street, and the court room is at the back.
In 1944, a laboratory was added to the building. This was for a new Research Officer from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock. Other small buildings behind the court house included sheds for agriculture storage and a garage.
Even though there were ideas in the 1960s to move the court house to build a swimming pool, it stayed right where it is. This means it has kept its important central spot in Gayndah.
What the Court House Looks Like
The Gayndah Court House is a single-storey building made of timber. It has a hipped roof, which means all sides slope downwards to the walls. The roof is made of corrugated iron. The building also has two parts that stick out at the front, called gables.
A verandah (a covered porch) runs along the front of the building between these gables. The gables have special timber sun hoods over the windows. A large vent on the roof is a noticeable feature of the building. Most of the outside of the court house looks much like it did when it was built.
The court house is set back a little from the footpath. It stands out among the shops on Capper Street, which usually have verandahs that go over the footpath.
This building is a good example of the work done by the Public Works Department. It shows how they used common building styles and materials, like timber, often seen in homes, for important public buildings in country towns. The building has a T-shape, with offices at the front and the court room at the back.
Around the court house, you can see several bottle-trees (Brachychiton spp.). These are unique trees with a swollen trunk that looks like a bottle. Other important buildings nearby include two timber banks, two hotels, and the Shire Offices.
Why the Court House is Special
The Gayndah Court House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1995. This means it's recognized as a very important place because of its history and design.
It shows how Queensland's history has changed. Built in 1928, this court house replaced an older one from the 1850s. It helps us understand how Gayndah grew as an important government and business center for the Burnett area. Its central spot in town also shows how important the court house and its offices were to the community.
It's a great example of its type of building. The Gayndah Court House is a good example of a timber court house in a country town. It shows the high quality of government buildings designed by the Department of Public Works in the early to mid-1900s.
It looks really nice. The way the Gayndah Court House is shaped, its size, and the materials it's made from all help make Capper Street and the town of Gayndah look special.
It's important to the community. Because it's in a central and important location, the court house has a strong connection with the people of Gayndah. It has served as a key place for justice and public services for a very long time.
Images for kids
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Court house, as completed in October 1928
