Maitland Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maitland Court House |
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Maitland Court House, 2017
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| Location | High Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1895– |
| Architect | Walter Liberty Vernon |
| Owner | Attorney General's Department |
| Official name: Maitland Court House; Maitland Courthouse | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 794 |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Category | Law Enforcement |
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The Maitland Court House is a very old and important building in Maitland, Australia. It's a special place where legal cases are heard, and it has been used for justice for a long time. This beautiful building was designed by a famous architect named Walter Liberty Vernon and was built over 125 years ago! It is officially recognized as a heritage site because of its history and design.
Contents
History of the Maitland Court House
The Maitland Court House was built between 1895 and 1896. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, who was the main architect for the New South Wales government at the time. The building cost about £11,700 to construct.
Building the Court House
The builders were William Taylor and Sons, a company from Maitland. The stone used to construct the building came from a place called the Ravenswood quarry. The court house officially opened its doors on 19 December 1896.
Past Uses of the Building
When it was first built, the Maitland Court House was used for two main purposes. It served as both a court house and a police station. For many years, it worked alongside another court house in East Maitland. The land for this building was chosen ten years before construction began, but the project faced several delays.
In 1986, the building stopped being used as a police station. However, the Local Court of New South Wales still uses the court house today. This is where many smaller legal cases are heard.
Recent Upgrades
The court house had a big renovation between 2013 and 2014. This project cost $1.1 million and included important repairs. The clock tower was fixed, the roof was replaced with new slate tiles, and new floors and seating were added inside. The building was closed for a few months during these works. Before this, in 2010, it also received a $50,000 upgrade to make it safer.
What the Court House Looks Like
The Maitland Court House is a truly impressive building. It shows a mix of older Victorian and newer Federation architectural styles. It is known as "Federation Free Classical" because of its design. The building is made of red bricks with contrasting sandstone details, which were common materials during the Federation period.
Key Features of the Building
The court house is located in a very noticeable spot on the main business street of Maitland. A tall clock tower sits on top of the roof, making it a well-known landmark in the area. You enter the main court room through a grand entrance with columns, called a colonnaded portico. Beautiful classical designs made from Ravensfield sandstone decorate the building. The roofs are a mix of sloped and pointed styles, covered with slate tiles.
Inside the Court House
Besides the main court room, the building has other important areas. These include a general office, a waiting room for people, and a special entrance for prisoners to access the court room. There are also toilets and an office for a community legal centre.
Why the Court House is Important
The Maitland Court House is considered an outstanding and grand building. Its "Federation Free Classical" style makes it very special. It stands out in the business area of Maitland, and its clock tower is a local landmark. This building is important to the entire state of New South Wales. It has a long history of being a place where justice is served in the Maitland area.
The Maitland Court House was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.
