Kiandra Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kiandra Courthouse |
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Kiandra Courthouse in 2006, prior to its restoration as a chalet.
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| Location | Kiandra, Kosciuszko National Park, Snowy Valleys Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | c. 1890s |
| Architect | James Barnet |
| Owner | Office of Environment and Heritage |
| Official name: Kiandra Courthouse/Chalet | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 994 |
| Type | Historic site |
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The Kiandra Courthouse is an old building in Kiandra, Australia. It's located inside the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. This special building is also known as the Kiandra Courthouse/Chalet. It's owned by the Office of Environment and Heritage, which is a part of the New South Wales government. The courthouse was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, meaning it's an important historical site. Sadly, the Kiandra Courthouse was badly damaged by bushfires in 2020.
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The Story of Kiandra Courthouse
Gold Rush Days
The Kiandra Courthouse stands on a very historic spot. In 1859-1860, there was a big gold rush here. Many people came to find gold, and a town called Kiandra grew quickly. The courthouse and a jail were built to help keep order in the busy town. Even today, you can still see signs of the old gold rush and the former town across the landscape.
A Place for Snow Sports
Kiandra is also famous for something else: it was the home of Australia's first ski club! It was probably the first place in Australia to really promote snow sports. In the 1950s and 1960s, the courthouse building was changed and made bigger. It became a chalet, a type of lodge, for people to stay in. This chalet was built in a special "Alpine style" that was popular in the Kosciuszko State Park.
The chalet was important because it was one of the few buildings left from Kiandra's time as a resort. It also linked the early days of snow sports in Australia to the 20th century. Later, many people stayed at the chalet for fun holidays. It was also used by workers building the huge Snowy Mountains Scheme.
Restoring the Building
Over the years, the building changed. In 2000, the Heritage Council approved plans to remove some newer parts. The goal was to make the building look more like the original courthouse. They also fixed the roof to stop water from getting inside.
In 2013, more plans were approved to use the courthouse and chalet again. This included adding new buildings for accommodation and services. Some old sheds around the building were removed.
What the Courthouse Looks Like
Its Location
The Kiandra Courthouse is found on the eastern side of the Snowy Mountains Highway. It sits right within the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park.
A large, old Western Yellow pine tree stands near the road in front of the courthouse. This tree is a landmark. It helps people easily spot the courthouse on the flat landscape. Two other similar pine trees were removed in 2009 because they were in poor condition.
The Buildings
The main stone building facing the highway was built in the 1890s. It was originally the courthouse and had rooms for the police. This included a police cell and the courtroom itself. The original courthouse was the first important public building in Kiandra. It was designed by James Barnet, a famous architect for the New South Wales government.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the building was changed a lot. It was made bigger with new sections added to the ground floor. A second floor was also built. These new parts were made of timber and had sloped roofs. This style was common for buildings in the Kosciuszko State Park.
From 1971, the Department of Main Roads used the building. It was their base for clearing snow from the roads. They left the building around 1999. After that, the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service removed some of the old, damaged parts from the 1960s. They boarded up the building to protect it. The courthouse wasn't used again until 2010. That's when the courtroom at the front of the building was restored.
Heritage Status
The Kiandra Courthouse is a very important historical site. It was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing helps protect the building and its history for future generations.
