Rockhampton Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockhampton Courthouse |
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Rockhampton Supreme Court
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| Location | 42 East Street, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s - 1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1950 - 1955 |
| Architect | John Hitch |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernism |
| Official name: Rockhampton Court and Administrative Complex, District Court (State Government Savings Bank, Commonwealth, Magistrate's Court (Police Court), Supreme Court | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600795 |
| Significant period | 1880s ongoing (social) 1880s, 1891, 1910s, 1930s (historical) 1886-1930s (fabric sup ct) 1915-193 |
| Significant components | office/s, garden/grounds, court house, bank |
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The Rockhampton Courthouse is a special old building in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It's located at 42 East Street. This important place was designed by John Hitch and built between 1950 and 1955. It's also known by other names like the District Court, Queensland Government Savings Bank, and Supreme Court. Because of its history and design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.
Contents
The Story of Rockhampton's Courts
The Rockhampton Courthouse is actually a group of buildings. They include the Supreme Court, Magistrate's Court, District Court, and other government offices. These buildings show how the Queensland Government helped Rockhampton grow. They provided important services like justice and government support.
Rockhampton became a town in 1858 after a gold rush. In 1859, Queensland became a separate state from New South Wales. At that time, the main Supreme Court was in Brisbane. Rockhampton became a place where the Supreme Court judges would visit in 1863. People in Rockhampton wanted their own courthouse. A central spot was chosen for the court buildings.
The First Courthouse (Demolished)
The very first courthouse was built in Rockhampton in 1861–1862. It cost £1,130. The architect was Charles Tiffin, who designed many other famous buildings. These included Parliament House in Brisbane.
This two-story building was made of stone and had an L-shape. It was used until the 1880s. Gold was discovered at Mount Morgan, which made Rockhampton very rich. This wealth led to many new public buildings, including a grander courthouse.
The first courthouse continued to be used as an office building. It was finally taken down in 1978.
The Supreme Court Building (1886-1887)
Rockhampton's growing wealth led to the building of an impressive Supreme Court. People felt the old court was too small for the busy town. In 1882, they asked for a new, bigger courthouse.
The new court building was designed by John James Clark. He was a famous architect who also designed the Brisbane Treasury Building. Clark designed several courthouses in Queensland.
People in Rockhampton thought Clark's first design was too small. They wanted a building that showed how important Rockhampton was becoming. So, the plans were changed to make it bigger.
The new courthouse was built next to the old one. Construction started in 1885 and cost £12,533. It was finished in 18 months. The building was two stories high, made of brick with a stone front. It had a courtroom, judge's rooms, and offices.
The first court session was held in September 1887. However, Rockhampton still didn't have its own Supreme Court judge. This changed in 1896 when a resident Supreme Court judge was finally appointed. This made Rockhampton the home of the Central Supreme Court.
The Rockhampton Courthouse became famous in 1891 during the shearers' strike. Many shearers were arrested and charged with conspiracy. Their trial was held in this courthouse. Twelve shearers were found guilty and sent to prison. This event helped lead to the formation of the Labor Party.
This Supreme Court building is special because it's the only 19th-century courthouse in Queensland that has continuously served as a Supreme Court since 1896.
The District Court (1915-1916, 1932-1933)
The building that is now the District Court was first built as the Queensland Government Savings Bank. Construction started in 1915 and finished in 1916. It was one of the few buildings built specifically for this bank.
The bank was part of a plan by the government to help people with their money. In 1920, the Commonwealth Bank took over the building. It was made much larger in 1932–1933.
The building continued as a bank until 1986. Then, the government bought it to use for the District Court. It now houses the court and its staff.
The Magistrate's Court (1934-1936)
The Magistrate's Court building was constructed between 1934 and 1936. It was designed to match the nearby Commonwealth Bank building. Building this court also helped create jobs during the Great Depression.
The new court building was made of concrete and brick. It provided space for the Police Court and its staff. The design was meant to look good with the other government buildings. It was called an "asset to the already long list of handsome buildings erected in this city." This building became the Magistrate's Court in 1991.
Family Services' Building (1934-1936)
The Family Services' building was also built during the 1930s. It was part of a government plan to create jobs through building projects. This building was designed to fit in with the other court buildings.
It was made of brick and concrete. It provided offices for the Department of Labour and Industry. The building was finished in 1936.
Government Office Building (1950-1955)
After World War II, the government needed more office space in Rockhampton. The new Bolsover Street Government Office building was designed in 1949 by an English architect named John Hitch. It was built from 1950 to 1955.
John Hitch was one of several British architects who came to Queensland after the war. He had studied architecture in Europe, and his designs were influenced by modern Scandinavian styles.
The building was designed to be three stories high. It was made of reinforced concrete with brick and stone. It was one of the first large public buildings built by the government after the war. It showed a new, modern style of design. The building was admired by architecture students at the time.
What the Courthouse Looks Like
The Rockhampton Courthouse complex includes several buildings. They are all located on a flat area near East, Fitzroy, and Bolsover Streets. They are a key part of the city center. The Magistrate's Court, District Court, and Family Services' building all share a similar architectural style.
Supreme Court Building Details
The Supreme Court building has two stories and is made of stone. It has a T-shape with a sloped roof. It's in the middle of the site, surrounded by the other court buildings.
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You approach the building from East Street through a path lined with tall palm trees. There are large gates with wrought iron designs. The front of the building is made of sandstone. It has a grand entrance with four tall columns and a triangular top. Three large windows are above the entrance.
Inside, the ground floor has a main hallway. It leads to offices for the Supreme Court. The first floor has the main Supreme Court Room. This room has tall arched windows and timber panels on the walls. It also has special furniture for the judge, jury, and lawyers.
Magistrate's Court Details
The Magistrate's Court is a single-story building. It's made of stone and faces East Street. It has a tiled roof with a small dome on top.
The building has an Art Deco style, which was popular in the 1930s. The front has a central entrance with a high wall above it. The entrance has double timber doors and many-paned windows. Inside, the building has two courtrooms and offices.
District Court Details
The District Court is also a single-story building on East Street. It looks similar to the Magistrate's Court, with an Art Deco style. It has a tiled roof and a small dome.
The front has a central entrance with a high wall. Inside, the building has been changed over time. It now has a central courtroom with offices around it.
Family Services' Building Details
The Family Services' building is a single-story stone building facing Bolsover Street. It has a tiled roof with a small dome.
This building also has an Art Deco style. The front has a central entrance with double timber doors. The sides have tall windows. Inside, the building has offices and reception areas.
Government Office Building Details
The Government Office building has an L-shape. It has three stories facing Bolsover Street and four stories at the corner of Fitzroy Street.
This building has a modern design. It's made of reinforced concrete and brick. The Bolsover Street side has large windows with stone panels. The building has a raised base with brick gardens.
Inside, the entrance has a special floor made of terrazzo. There's a central lift and a staircase. The offices are arranged along a central hallway.
Why This Place is Important
The Rockhampton Courthouse complex is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register for many reasons:
- Shows History: It shows how Rockhampton and its government services grew since 1861. The Supreme Court building shows how the justice system developed in Queensland. It also shows the wealth from the gold rush in the 1880s. The other buildings show how the government provided services and jobs during the 1915-1936 period. The Government Office building shows how Rockhampton developed after World War II.
- Unique and Rare: The Supreme Court building is the only 19th-century courthouse that has continuously served as a Supreme Court since 1896.
- Good Design: The whole complex is a great example of urban design. The buildings were planned to work together and make the city center look good. The Supreme Court building shows skilled design from the 19th century.
- Beautiful to Look At: The buildings and their grounds are very beautiful. They add a lot to the look of Rockhampton's streets and skyline. They show the big dreams people had for Rockhampton in the late 1800s.
- Community Connection: The complex is very important to the Rockhampton community. It holds some of the city's main public buildings.
- Famous People and Events: The Supreme Court building is a key example of the work of John James Clark, a famous architect. It's also important because of its connection to the 1891 shearers' strike trial and the start of the Labor Party. The Government Office building shows the work of John Hitch, an architect who helped shape Queensland's post-war architecture.
