Ravenswood Court House and Police Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ravenswood Court House and Police Station |
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Ravenswood Court House, 1993
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| Location | Raven Street, Ravenswood, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1882 |
| Architect | Queensland Department of Public Works |
| Official name: Ravenswood Court House Group (former), Court House and Police Station, Ravenswood | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 January 1994 |
| Reference no. | 601204 |
| Significant period | 1880s (historical) 1880s (fabric) 1880s–1920s (social) |
| Significant components | cell block, barracks – police, court house, police station |
| Builders | A Donald (court house) and FA Sparre (police station) |
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The Ravenswood Court House and Police Station are historic buildings in Ravenswood, Australia. They were built in 1882 and used to be a courthouse and a police station. Today, the old courthouse is a museum. These buildings were designed by the Queensland Department of Public Works. They are now protected as important historical sites on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Buildings
The Ravenswood Court House and Police Station are made up of three buildings. These are the Court House, the Police Station, and the Cells. They were all built in 1882. Interestingly, these buildings were moved away from the site in 1965. But don't worry, they were brought back during the 1980s!
Before these buildings, there was an older courthouse from 1870. There were also police barracks and a lockup from 1871. The government built these to help manage the early gold rush in Ravenswood. They wanted to encourage mining but also keep order.
The Gold Rush Era
Gold mining was very important in Queensland from the 1850s. Many gold rushes happened in places like Clermont and Gympie. Ravenswood had its own gold rush starting in 1868. These discoveries made Queensland a major gold producer in Australia.
At first, miners found gold easily by panning in rivers. Later, they dug deep into the ground to find gold in rocks. By 1871, mining in Ravenswood became harder. The gold was mixed with other minerals, making it tough to get out. This meant miners needed more money and special machines. Many miners left Ravenswood for other gold fields, like Charters Towers. Charters Towers soon became a bigger gold town.
New Buildings for a Growing Town
Even though many miners left, Ravenswood kept going. Mining continued on a smaller scale. Silver mines also started nearby. The town got more help from the government. A railway line opened from Townsville in 1884. A new Post and Telegraph Office opened in 1885. A hospital was built in 1887. And, of course, the new Court House and Police Station arrived in 1882.
The Court House was built by A Donald for £1,200. The Police Station was built by FA Sparre for £885. Both were designed by the Department of Public Works. This department created standard building plans. These plans could be changed a little for different towns. This helped them build good public buildings all over the colony.
The Court House was a timber building shaped like a 'T'. It had a large courtroom at the front. Offices were at the back. The Police Station was a 'U'-shaped timber building. It had an office, living areas for the police officer, and three cells. There was also a stable for police horses by 1899.
Changes and Decline
By 1912, gold mining in Ravenswood was slowing down. A big strike in 1912-1913 caused problems. Costs went up, and it was hard to find workers because of World War I. Many people moved away. In 1930, Ravenswood even lost its railway line.
In 1965, both the Court House and Police Station were moved away. They went to a place called Mt Ravenswood Station. The Police Station was used for workers' accommodation.
Coming Home and New Life
In the 1980s, something special happened. The Police Station, Cells, and Court House were moved back to their original spot. This happened because of the Burdekin Dam flooding. Around this time, new gold mining started again. Also, more people began visiting Ravenswood to see its history.
Today, the old Court House is the Ravenswood Court House Museum. It helps people learn about the town's past.
What the Buildings Look Like
The Court House Group is on a raised area in Ravenswood. It looks over Elphinstone Creek. The area around it shows signs of old mining. There are old ruins and piles of dirt from mining.
The Court House
The court house is a single-storey timber building. It has a wavy iron roof that slopes down on two sides (a gable roof). It stands on concrete stumps. The building is shaped like a 'T'. The main courtroom is at the front. Offices are at the back.
The outside walls are made of timber boards (called weatherboard). The verandahs have timber railings and posts. French doors open onto one verandah. The front entrance has a small roofed porch. Inside, you can still see old courtroom furniture. This includes wooden seats, a witness stand, and the Judge's bench.
The Barracks (Police Station)
The barracks building is north of the court house. It's also a single-storey timber building with a corrugated iron gable roof. It has a verandah on one side. The walls are made of weatherboard. Inside, there are three rooms.
The Cell Block
The cell block is near the court house and barracks. It's a single-storey timber building with a corrugated iron roof that slopes on all sides (a hipped roof). It has a verandah on one side with four doors and a window. The outside walls are weatherboard. Inside, there are four rooms. The original timber cell doors are still on the site.
Why These Buildings Are Special
The Ravenswood Court House and Police Station are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means they are very important historical places. They were added to the list on January 27, 1994.
Showing Queensland's History
Ravenswood was one of the first big gold mining towns in North Queensland. Gold mining helped the area grow a lot. The government built these public buildings to support the town. The Court House and Police buildings were built in the 1880s. This shows how the government tried to help the town when its economy was slowing down.
Good Examples of Old Buildings
These buildings were built using special designs from the Public Works Department. These designs were used for many government buildings at that time.
Beautiful and Important
The Court House and Police buildings are on a high spot in the middle of town. They were built on the same government land, which was common. The Court House still has its original furniture and fittings. This makes it very special.
Important to the Community
Ravenswood's gold mining history is very important to North Queensland. These buildings are a big part of that story. They show how the region grew and developed.
Designed by Experts
The Public Works Department designed these buildings. This department was very important in making sure government buildings in Queensland were well-built and looked good.
