Kerr's Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kerr's Building |
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Kerr's Building, 1992
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| Location | 84-86 Churchill Street, Childers, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1902 |
| Official name: Kerr's Building, Crow & Kingston, Kingston and Kingston | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 25 June 1993 |
| Reference no. | 600627 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) 1902-ongoing (historical retail use) |
| Significant components | shed/s |
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Kerr's Building is a special old shop located at 84-86 Churchill Street in Childers, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1902. This building is also known by its past names, Crow & Kingston and Kingston and Kingston. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on June 25, 1993, which means it's an important historical place.
History of Kerr's Building
Kerr's Building was built around 1902 for Amelia Gertrude Overell. This happened after a big fire destroyed many shops on the main street of Childers.
The town of Childers grew because a railway line opened in 1887. This line helped people get timber from the nearby Isis Scrub. In the 1890s, the main street was divided into smaller pieces of land. In 1898, Mrs. Overell bought the land where the building now stands. We don't know exactly what shops were there before.
In March 1902, a fire burned down the old timber shop on the site. The current building, made of brick and stone, was built to replace it. After the fire, the land on the south side of the street was measured again. This made some of the building blocks a bit oddly shaped.
In 1907, a company called Crow and Kingston bought the site. They were merchants and importers. Later, when the company closed down, two cousins, Jack and Bill Kingston, bought the store. They ran it as Kingston and Kingston, selling many things like clothes and groceries. The Kingston family owned the building until 1974.
In 1974, Marjorie Ann Kerr bought the building. That year, the shop was changed a lot inside. New walls were put in, a skylight was covered, and a new ceiling was added. The floor was redone, and the front awning was changed.
In 1977, the building was sold to its current owners. They use it as a real estate office. Around 1990, more changes were made so that different parts of the building could be rented out. Today, a coffee shop and a hairdresser are some of the businesses inside.
What Kerr's Building Looks Like
Kerr's Building faces Churchill Street, which is the main street in Childers. It also has back access from Macrossan Street. This single-story building is made of brick and stone. It sits among other shops from the early 1900s. These shops often have street awnings and fancy decorated fronts.
The building has a metal roof that slopes down from the middle. There used to be a skylight in the center, but it has been covered up.
The front of the building is decorated with a fancy top part called a parapet. It has a heavy border and a raised center section. This center part holds three decorative urns and says "EST 1902". The two shop fronts are made of brick with aluminum-framed windows. One entrance is set back, and there's a central hallway. A modern aluminum awning hangs from the front, replacing an older one.
Inside, the building has a central hallway. There are office spaces on the west side, with a hairdresser behind them. A coffee shop is located on the east side. The walls are made of brick or are partition walls. There is a suspended ceiling throughout the building.
At the back of the building, there is a timber shed attached. It has different sections, with one part rented out and another used for storage. The floor in the shed is higher than the main building, and it does not have a ceiling.
Why Kerr's Building is Important
Kerr's Building was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on June 25, 1993. This means it is considered very important because of its history and how it looks.
- It shows how Queensland's history has changed.
Kerr's Building, built around 1902, helps us understand how Childers grew in the early 1900s. It's a good example of the town's development.
- It is beautiful and important to the community.
The building has features that the Childers community values. It fits in well with the other old shops nearby, sharing a similar size and materials. It adds to the overall look of Churchill Street and the town of Childers.
