Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station, 2006
|
|
| Location | 28 Hall Street, Mount Morgan, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1898 - 1900 |
| Architect | Queensland Department of Public Works |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Court House and Police Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600745 |
| Significant period | 1898-1900s (historical) 1898-1900s (fabric) |
| Significant components | police station, court house |
| Builders | John Macfarlane and Co |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station is an important old building in Mount Morgan, Australia. It is located at 28 Hall Street. This building was designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works. It was built between 1898 and 1900 by a company called John Macfarlane and Co. This site is now protected as a heritage-listed place.
History of the Building
The Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station was finished in 1900. It was the second courthouse built in the town. The first one was used for about ten years.
Mount Morgan grew very quickly because of its rich gold mine. This mine became one of the wealthiest in the world. Before 1882, some small mining claims existed. But in 1882, the three Morgan Brothers claimed most of the mountain top.
They later partnered with businessmen from Rockhampton. In 1886, the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited was formed. As the town grew, it needed more buildings and services. The mining company kept working until 1990.
By 1887, Mount Morgan had about 1500 people and four hotels. A report suggested that police were needed to keep order. So, a police station was built. John Wotherspoon built it for £755.
The next year, a courthouse was also needed. Martin Doyle and William Gilbert built it for £409/16/6. This first courthouse was used for only about ten years.
In 1897, people in Mount Morgan asked for a new, bigger courthouse. The government announced that they were looking for builders in May 1898. John Macfarlane and Co from Rockhampton won the contract. They built the new courthouse for £2995. The building was completed by 1900.
What the Building Looks Like
The Mount Morgan Court House is a single-story building. It is made of brick with a smooth, painted finish. The building has a sloped roof covered with corrugated iron. This roof is hidden by decorative walls at the top.
The building looks balanced, with a main section in the middle. On each side, there are smaller wings connected by verandahs. The front of the building has a central entrance porch. This porch has two columns with bands around them.
These columns hold up a flat section with the words "COURT HOUSE" on it. A main door is in the middle of the porch. This door has an arched window above it. Inside, the walls are smooth, the floors are wood, and the ceilings are made of wooden boards.
Behind where the judge would sit, an arch leads to the original offices. These included the police magistrate's office and the land agent's office. The roof of the courtroom is supported by special wooden frames called queen post trusses.
In 1991, the building stopped being used as a courthouse. However, the Queensland Police Service still uses it as a police station today.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is an important historical place.
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
The courthouse, built in 1900, shows how much Mount Morgan grew after gold was found. It also highlights how important the town was during that time.
- It is a good example of its type of building.
This building is a typical example of courthouses built in regional areas. Its design, influenced by classical styles, shows tradition and authority.
- It is beautiful and well-designed.
The Mount Morgan Court House is important for its design. It is a nice example of a classical courthouse in a smaller town. It stands out in its location and has interesting features like the banded columns at the entrance.
