Old Police Station, The Rocks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Old Police Station, The Rocks
The former police station, pictured in 2012.
Location	127-129 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1882
Architect	James Barnet
Architectural style(s)	Neo-classical
Owner	Property NSW
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Police Station (former); Australian Craftworks Gallery; Christies
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	10 May 2002
Reference no.	1571
Type	Police station
Category	Law Enforcement
Builders	W. Cains and Sons
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The Old Police Station, The Rocks is a historic building in Sydney, Australia. It used to be a police station and is now home to Sergeant Lok, a Modern Asian restaurant and bar. You can find it at 127-129 George Street in The Rocks area.

The building was designed by James Barnet and built in 1882 by W. Cains and Sons. It is owned by Property NSW, a government agency. The Old Police Station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002. This means it's an important historical site.

A Look Back: The Building's History

This spot where the police station stands has a long history. It was once the site of Sydney's very first hospital. This hospital operated from 1788 to 1816. In 1797, the street was changed, so the hospital had to be moved slightly. Later, a store and a place to prepare medicines were built nearby. The old hospital closed when Sydney Hospital opened in Macquarie Street in 1816.

In 1836, a man named William Davis was given the land. It's thought that houses might have been on the site even before this. The Rocks area got its water supply in 1844. Gas and water pipes were added in the 1850s. Sewerage lines were put in during the mid-1860s.

Keeping Order in The Rocks

The Rocks area was known for being a bit wild in the past. It was a busy port and a former penal colony. Police officers, including mounted police called "troopers," worked to keep the peace. Regular police wore special hats and coats. The mounted police looked like soldiers.

In the mid-1800s, police controlled The Rocks from several locations. There was a Water Police station on George Street. There was also a constable in Harrington Street and a station house in Cumberland Street.

An official police force was created in 1862. Even though The Rocks was still a busy place, other areas of Sydney also needed police attention. There were still occasional problems in the area, but they were not just in The Rocks.

Solving Community Problems

In the 1890s, a special group called a Royal Commission was formed. Their job was to investigate problems in George Street North. They looked into issues like unfair games and other community concerns. They also checked if police officers were doing their job properly. The commission worked for several months, from August 1891 to January 1892.

The commission found that some unfair games were being played. These games often happened in hidden rooms. People would sell tickets for these games in front shops. The hidden rooms had secret passages and strong doors. This made it hard for police to check on them. These games attracted many people, including workers from the wharves. Even children were sometimes buying tickets for these games.

The commission made several suggestions to improve things:

• Police officers should be able to enter suspected places without a special order.
• People found in places where unfair games were happening could be arrested.
• If game tools were found, the owner of the place should be responsible.
• Selling or buying tickets for certain games should be against the law.
• Hidden barriers against police checks should be illegal.
• Police should visit these places often to stop unfair activities.

They also suggested better rules for selling certain items. And they recommended improving living conditions in some residences.

There were also claims that some police officers were not doing their job. However, the commission found that these claims were not proven. The witnesses could not show strong evidence. The commission decided that the police were doing their best to handle the problems.

Changes to the Area

The land for the police station was bought by the NSW Department of Public Works in 1879. More land was added later. In 1900, a serious illness spread in Sydney. The government started buying private properties in The Rocks. They tore down many houses to clean up the city. Businesses were allowed to rent back their properties. Streets were made wider, and the waterfront was improved.

The Police Station's Design and Use

Building the police station started in 1881. W Cain and Sons won the contract. The building was finished in 1882, and police moved in by 1883. It is now one of only two police stations from the 1800s left in the inner city.

The Government Architect, James Barnet, designed the building. He made it look like a grand water gate, which was a bit unusual for a police station. Barnet was inspired by the nearby George Street waterfront.

Above the main entrance, you can see Queen Victoria's initials. There's also a lion's head, which stands for British justice. The lion has a policeman's truncheon (a short club) in its mouth. This design was meant to show the strong authority of the government. Barnet often used symbols like this in his public buildings.

The truncheon in the lion's mouth has an interesting story. Some people say it was stolen in 1982 and replaced. Others say the current one is the original. It has been replaced a couple of times over the years. The truncheon is now made of wood and faces the opposite direction from the original.

James Barnet designed many buildings during his career, including 155 police stations. He often had standard designs for different types of buildings, like post offices or courthouses. The police station at The Rocks is special because it stands alone, unlike many others that were part of larger court complexes.

Over the years, the building had a few small changes:

• 1900: Two more cell rooms were added.
• 1921: A roof was built over the exercise yard.
• 1923: Electric lights were installed.
• 1937: Plans were made to change the first-floor balconies.
• 1957: The meal room was made bigger.
• 1974: The police moved out of the building.
• 1977: The front balconies were fixed, and toilets were added. Part of the exercise yard was removed to create the Nurses Walk.
• 1980: The building became a craft center.
• 1981: Some parts like iron vents and stone steps were restored.
• 2003: The craft gallery moved out, and Christie's moved in.
• 2019: Sergeant Lok, a restaurant and bar, opened in the building.

From Police Station to Art Gallery

After the police left in 1974, the building was given to the Sydney Cove Redevelopment Authority (SCRA). It then opened as the Australian Craftworks Gallery. The SCRA was created to redevelop The Rocks area. At first, there were plans to knock down all the old buildings. But people protested, and building workers' unions stopped the work. So, the SCRA focused on reusing old buildings, like this police station.

In 1977, the SCRA restored the front balconies and added toilets. The next year, parts of the old exercise yard were removed to make way for the Nurses Walk. More restoration work was done, including fixing the roof and cleaning the walls.

The building is now home to Sergeant Lok. It is still in good condition. The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (which used to be SCRA) helps to protect important buildings like this one.

What the Building Looks Like

The front of the building has a special design called a Palladian water gate. It has strong stone pillars and decorative blocks. There's a carved lion's head above the arch and a coat of arms at the top.

The building has two stories at the front. The outside is made of sandstone. The roof is made of slate and copper. The back of the building is made of brick.

Inside, there are former offices on both levels. A timber staircase connects them. Many original features are still there, like the stairs and window frames. The upper offices have access to balconies that look out over George Street. These balconies are made of timber with wrought iron railings.

The single-story back part of the building has a central hallway. Off this hallway are several single and double cells. These cells still have their original metal doors and window grilles. There are also outdoor spaces connected to the cells.

Building Condition

As of 2001, the building was in good condition overall. However, some of the sandstone had minor damage from water. The inside needed some maintenance. Modern additions like fairy lights might need to be reviewed in the future. The main entrance was changed, but it can be put back to its original look.

Archaeologists believe the ground underneath the building has been partly disturbed.

Why This Building is Important

The former Police Station building and its site are very important to the history of New South Wales. They also add to the significance of The Rocks area itself.

This building is a strong and well-designed government building. It is one of only two 19th-century police stations left in the inner city. It stands out on George Street. The building shows how police stations and cells were designed in the late 1800s. Even though its design is unusual for a police station, it has offices and cells similar to other police stations and jails in New South Wales. You can visit the building today because of its current use.

Important parts of the building include its overall design and details. This includes the sandstone front, the steps, and the timber balconies. The brickwork at the back and the outdoor court spaces are also important. Inside, the original layout, metal cell fixtures, fireplaces, and stairs all add to the building's importance.

The Police Station was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 10 May 2002 because it met several important criteria:

• It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales.

The building and its site help us understand the history of The Rocks. The land is special because it was the site of Sydney's first hospital. This shows the beginning of healthcare in Australia. The building's design was different from James Barnet's usual standard plans. It reminds us of early law enforcement in Sydney and its importance in The Rocks area.

• It is linked to important people or groups in New South Wales history.

The former Police Station is connected to James Barnet, the Colonial Architect. His work can be seen all over New South Wales. This building is part of his more than 1300 designs. It shows how he developed as an architect and influenced public buildings in New South Wales.

• It is beautiful and shows great creative or technical skill.

This strong and well-designed government building is one of only two 19th-century police stations left in the inner city. It's a key feature on George Street. It shows how police stations and cells were designed in the late 1800s. Even though its design is unusual for a police station, it has offices and cells similar to other police stations and jails in New South Wales. You can visit the building today.

Important parts of the building include its overall design and details. This includes the sandstone front, the steps, and the timber balconies. The brickwork at the back and the outdoor court spaces are also important. Inside, the original layout, metal cell fixtures, fireplaces, and stairs all add to the building's importance.

• It has a special meaning for a community or group in New South Wales.

The building is socially important because it was the site of the first hospital. There's a plaque on the front of the building to remember this. It also has social importance because of the many stories about the truncheon being taken in pranks, whether they are true or not.

• It can teach us more about New South Wales's history.

The building is important for research because it's a good example of building techniques from the late 1800s, especially for police stations and cells.

• It is rare or uncommon in New South Wales.

The building is rare because it is one of only two 19th-century police stations still standing in the inner city.

Images for kids

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  The former police station, pictured in 2012.