Redcliffe Fire Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redcliffe Fire Station |
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Building in 2016
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| Location | 395 Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe, Moreton Bay Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s - 1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1948 - 1949 |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Redcliffe Fire Station | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 6 September 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602548 |
| Significant period | 1940s (historical) 1940s-1950s (fabric) |
| Significant components | tower, office/s, dormitory, views to, watch room, bathroom/bathhouse, kitchen/kitchen house, garage |
| Builders | Alex Smith |
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The Redcliffe Fire Station is a special old building in Redcliffe, Australia. It used to be a fire station but is now a community center. It was built between 1948 and 1949 by a builder named Alex Smith. This building is important because of its history and design, so it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
A Look Back: The Fire Station's Story
The Redcliffe Fire Station is a big brick building with two floors. It sits on a large piece of land on the Redcliffe Peninsula. Even though the fire trucks are now kept in a newer part of the building, the original layout of the station and the living area upstairs is still mostly the same.
Redcliffe's Early Days
For a long time, the Redcliffe area was known as "Humpybong." This was the name given by the local Aboriginal people to an old convict settlement. In the late 1800s, Redcliffe started to become a popular seaside resort. People believed that being by the sea was good for their health.
Getting to Redcliffe used to be quite difficult. Roads were not very good, and there was no railway line. People often traveled by steamboat from Sandgate. In 1921, Redcliffe was officially declared a town, but it still had a small population. Electricity didn't even arrive until 1928!
A Bridge Changes Everything
A big change happened in October 1935 when the Hornibrook Highway Toll Bridge opened. This bridge connected Redcliffe to Brisbane, making it much easier to get there. It was a very long bridge, about 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) over water.
After the bridge opened, Redcliffe grew very quickly. Many people moved there, and the number of homes increased a lot. By 1940, Redcliffe's population had grown from 2,008 to 6,000 people!
Getting Ready for a Fire Brigade
With more people living in Redcliffe, the local council decided to improve public services. They worked on getting a reliable water supply for the town. Having mains water meant that firefighters would have a steady source of water to put out fires. Before this, people often had to use "bucket brigades," passing buckets of water by hand.
In November 1941, the Redcliffe Fire Brigade Board was formed. They started with a Ford truck, hoses, and other basic equipment. The first Chief Officer was Frank Mayer. The fire brigade was first located in a house in Margate.
Building the New Fire Station
In 1947, the Redcliffe Fire Brigade Board got money to build a proper fire station. Land was chosen at the corner of Oxley Avenue and Mary Street. The foundation stone was laid in 1948.
The plans for the station were signed by J.R. Hughes. A well-known local builder, Alex Smith, built the fire station. It cost £11,000 to build. The Redcliffe Fire Station officially opened on November 1, 1949. Brian Wallace became the first Chief Officer and served for 28 years.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the fire station has had some changes. A hose-drying tower was built, but only its base remains today. In 1973, a new brick section was added to the south side of the station. This extension included a new garage for fire trucks and more office space. In 1987, a training center with a tall tower for practicing high-rise rescues was built.
The fire station also had a lovely wishing well and gardens. These were very popular for wedding photos from the 1970s to the 1990s.
A New Purpose
The Redcliffe Fire Station is no longer used for fighting fires. In 2015, after a $2 million renovation, it reopened as a community center. It now hosts arts events and provides space for volunteer groups.
What the Fire Station Looks Like
The Redcliffe Fire Station is a two-story building that faces east towards Oxley Avenue. It has two square towers on either side of its two main garage doors. Above the doors, you can see the words "Redcliffe Fire Station 1948." The building is made of different shades of red bricks. A newer, single-story brick extension is on the south side.
Inside the Station
On the ground floor, there's a large central garage with two bays for fire trucks. On either side of the garage are several rooms, including offices and a stairway leading upstairs. There's also a maintenance garage at the back.
The first floor used to be the Chief Officer's home. It has four main rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a toilet. Each tower also has a small room. A stairway leads to an enclosed porch on the west side of the first floor. Today, the bedrooms and lounge area are used as offices for the Rural Fire Service.
Other Buildings on the Property
Behind the main station, there are a few other buildings. These include a timber garage, a small brick fuel storage building with a curved roof, and a tall five-story training tower. The training tower is made of red brick and has a two-story section attached to it.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Redcliffe Fire Station was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2005. This means it's an important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
The fire station shows how fire-fighting services grew in Queensland. It also tells the story of how Redcliffe changed from a holiday spot to a busy town after the Hornibrook Bridge was built. The station was part of Redcliffe's plan to build important public services, like a reliable water supply.
A Unique Design
The Redcliffe Fire Station has a special look that is not common for fire stations built around that time. It looks different from the brick fire stations built in Brisbane in the 1920s or 1950s. Redcliffe actually built its modern brick fire station before Brisbane did!
A Typical Fire Station Layout
The inside of the Redcliffe Fire Station shows what a fire station from that time would typically look like. It had living quarters for the Chief Officer upstairs and a central garage for fire trucks on the ground floor. Around the garage were rooms like a dormitory for firefighters, a recreation room, a watch room, showers, and a kitchen. It also had a hose-drying tower and an outdoor area for vehicle maintenance. Most of this original layout is still there today.
