Headquarters Building, Keswick Barracks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Headquarters Building, Keswick Barracks |
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Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, c.1918
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| Location | Anzac Highway, Keswick, South Australia, Australia |
| Official name: Headquarters Building 32, Keswick Barracks | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 22 June 2004 |
| Reference no. | 105308 |
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The Headquarters Building (Building 32) is a special office building located at Keswick Barracks in Keswick, South Australia. It is considered a heritage site, meaning it's important to Australia's history. The building was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004. It has been a key part of Australia's defence for a long time.
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History of the Barracks
In 1854, a law called the Militia Act was passed in South Australia. This law allowed the government to create a group of 2000 volunteer soldiers. These early soldiers were based at the Mounted Police Barracks in Adelaide. Over time, the need for a permanent military force grew. By 1884, a small, permanent army group was formed.
When Australia became a united country, known as the Federation of Australia, in 1901, all the different colonial armies joined together. They became part of the new Australian Commonwealth's defence force.
Building the Headquarters
Because the new Commonwealth government was still setting up, the South Australian Public Works Department helped build and maintain Commonwealth buildings. This included post offices, customs buildings, and defence sites.
In 1912, work began on a new military headquarters at Keswick. This project cost about 21,990 pounds. Other buildings were also planned, like barracks for the Royal Australian Artillery and stables for horses. The Headquarters Building was finished in 1913. It was the first big building the Commonwealth government constructed in South Australia.
During World War I, this building served as the main office for the 4th Military District. Soldiers sometimes called it "The Home of the Brass Hats," which was a nickname for the high-ranking officers who worked there.
Changes Over Time
In 1940, an extra floor was added to the Headquarters Building. This was done to help the army grow during World War II. Later, in 1969, a boiler room and a toilet block on the side of the building were removed. The Keswick Barracks is still used for defence purposes today.
What the Building Looks Like
The Headquarters Building is a three-storey brick building. It is built in a style called Federation Academic Classical. This means it looks grand and formal, like old Roman or Greek buildings. You can find it at the northern corner of the Keswick Barracks site.
The front of the building has two large towers at each end. In the middle, there is a section with a rounded top, which holds a coat-of-arms (a special symbol). The towers and the central part have decorative plasterwork that looks like rough stone. Between the towers and the middle section, there is a two-storey colonnade. A colonnade is a row of columns that supports a roof.
The building is in good condition. It has been used as a military headquarters since it was built, so not many changes have been made to it. The extra floor added in 1940 is important because it shows how the army developed during World War II.
Why This Building is Important
The Headquarters Building at Keswick Barracks is very important for several reasons:
- First Big Commonwealth Building: It was the first large building constructed by the new Australian Commonwealth government in South Australia.
- Defence History: It was built as part of a plan to improve Australia's defence after Federation. It has been used for military purposes ever since it was completed.
- Central to Keswick Barracks: This building is a main part of Keswick Barracks. Keswick Barracks was one of the first major military bases set up in Australia after the Australian Army was formed. It has remained the main headquarters for the Army in South Australia.
- Architectural Style: The building is a great example of an early 20th-century military headquarters. Its Federation Academic Classical style shows how military buildings were designed during that period.
