Gympie Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gympie Court House |
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Gympie Court House, 2012
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| Location | Channon Street, Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1900 - 1902 |
| Architect | John Smith Murdoch |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Gympie Court House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600533 |
| Significant period | 1900s (historical) 1900s (fabric) |
| Significant components | tower - clock, court house, roof/ridge ventilator/s / fleche/s |
| Builders | Edward Boyle |
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The Gympie Court House is a special historic building located on Channon Street in Gympie, Queensland, Australia. A courthouse is where legal cases are heard and decisions are made. This building was designed by an architect named John Smith Murdoch and was built between 1900 and 1902. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's a very important building to protect.
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A Brief History of the Gympie Court House
The Gympie Court House you see today is actually the third courthouse built in the town. It stands proudly on a hill at the corner of Channon and King Streets. Its construction took place from 1900 to 1902. It's a brick building with a tall clock tower near the main entrance.
How Gympie Began
The town of Gympie started because of a gold discovery in 1867. A man named James Nash found gold, and this was very important for Queensland. At the time, the new colony of Queensland needed money. So, a reward was offered for anyone who found gold. Nash received a large reward for his discovery.
Many people rushed to Gympie to find gold. By 1869, thousands of people lived there. The town grew so fast that it was laid out in an unusual way. Instead of straight streets, it followed the hills and mining areas. In 1868, land was set aside for public buildings, including a courthouse.
Early Courthouses in Gympie
The first court meetings in Gympie were held in temporary buildings. These were led by the Gold Commissioner, who was in charge of mining laws. Later, a simple timber building was put up on Commissioner's Hill.
In 1876, a more solid brick courthouse was built on Channon Street. This building served the town for many years. However, by the mid-1890s, people wanted a new, bigger courthouse. A local politician named Andrew Fisher pushed for this. He later became the first Prime Minister of Australia from Queensland. The 1876 courthouse building is still standing and is now the Gympie Lands Office.
Designing the New Court House
Plans for the new courthouse were requested in 1898 but weren't ready until 1900. There was some debate about where to build it. Eventually, the corner of King and Channon Streets was chosen. This land was bought from a bank and a private owner.
The new courthouse was designed by John Smith Murdoch. He was an architect working for the Queensland government. Murdoch had moved to Australia from Scotland. He designed many government buildings in Queensland.
Building the Court House
When bids were first asked for in 1900, they were too expensive. The government had set aside £5000 for the building. So, the design had to be changed to save money. Fancy stonework was replaced with cheaper cement. Fences and gardens were removed from the plans.
A new builder, Edward Boyle, won the contract. He started work right away. The building was finished in March 1902. The clock tower quickly became a famous landmark in Gympie. People liked to go up the tower to see the town.
Changes Over Time
The courthouse had some problems, especially with its roof leaking. In 1907, the roof was rebuilt. But the leaks continued until the 1940s, when the entire roof was replaced.
Other changes were made over the years. Public toilets were added, and some rooms were changed. The original fence was replaced with a concrete one. In the 1960s and 70s, the courtroom was divided, and air conditioning was installed. Later, a ramp was added for easier access, and the front doors were replaced.
What the Gympie Court House Looks Like
The Gympie Court House is a striking building. It's made of buff-coloured bricks and has a style known as Federation Free Style. It has one main floor, but its most noticeable feature is the large clock tower. This tower is on the right side of the main entrance.
Because it's on a hill, the courthouse is a very visible landmark in Gympie. It's part of a group of important government buildings, including the Old Gympie Post Office and the Gympie Lands Office.
At the front, facing Channon Street, there are steps leading up to a grand entrance. This entrance has four columns and two square pillars supporting a decorative top section. Above this, a triangular shape rises, with windows on its sides.
The tall clock tower is a key part of the building. It's a square brick tower with a clock face on each side near the top. Above the clock, there's a small open structure with a dome on top. The Queensland Coat of Arms is also displayed on the tower.
The sides of the building have a similar look to the front. They also have columns and pillars at their entrances. The back of the building is different because the ground slopes away. This creates two levels at the back. There's a central section that sticks out, with an arched opening and steps leading to an entrance on the upper floor.
The building is made from special "Redbank" bricks. Many of the decorative details, like the window frames and sills, are made from cement.
Inside the Court House
The main part of the building holds the courtroom, which is one and a half stories high. The two side sections have single-story rooms for staff. These rooms include spaces for the judge, jury, clerks, and registrars.
The courtroom is mostly original. The walls are plastered and painted, with decorative moldings. The original wooden furniture and cedar woodwork are still there. The ceiling has painted timber panels with large ventilators.
The other offices also have cedar woodwork, including fireplaces. Some rooms still have old shelves with mirrors and large maps of the Gympie area.
Why is the Gympie Court House Important?
The Gympie Court House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 because it meets several important criteria.
Showing Queensland's History
The courthouse was built between 1900 and 1902. It was the second major courthouse in Gympie. This shows how the town grew and developed, which is part of Queensland's history.
A Great Example of a Courthouse
This building is a good example of what a courthouse from the early 1900s looked like and how it worked. Its design and layout show how legal proceedings were carried out back then.
Beautiful and a Landmark
The Gympie Court House is a very important landmark in Gympie. Its clock tower, especially, is well-known and can be seen from many parts of the town. Together with the nearby Post Office and Lands Office, it forms a group of historic government buildings. The building is also admired for its beautiful design and the quality of its construction.
Important to the Community
The courthouse has a strong connection with the local community in Gympie. It has been a central part of the town's life for over a century.
Connected to a Famous Architect
The building is also important because it's a great example of the work of architect J. Murdoch. It shows how his architectural style developed over time.
