Rosewood Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosewood Courthouse |
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2015
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| Location | 1 John Street, Rosewood, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1908 - 1923 |
| Official name: Rosewood Police Complex | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 6 June 1994 |
| Reference no. | 601101 |
| Significant period | 1900s-1910s (historical) 1908-ongoing (social) 1908-1910s (ct hse fabric) 1908-1920s (residence) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - police sergeant's house/quarters, court house |
| Builders | C Risdale |
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The Rosewood Courthouse is a special old building in Rosewood, Queensland, Australia. It's called "heritage-listed" because it's an important part of history. The building was constructed between 1908 and 1923. It also used to be known as the Rosewood police residence. This historic site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1994.
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A Look Back: History of the Rosewood Courthouse
The Rosewood Police Complex includes two main buildings: the old court house and the police residence. Both of these buildings were finished in 1908.
Police first came to Rosewood in the late 1870s. For a while, court meetings were held in a single room at the police barracks. This was where the current police residence stands today. In 1892, a separate court room was built nearby.
By the early 1900s, these court facilities were not big enough. In 1905, a report said the police buildings were in very bad shape. It suggested that new buildings should be built because Rosewood was becoming an important town.
People in the community had different ideas about where the new buildings should go. Some thought a new site would be better, while others wanted to keep the existing location. In the end, everyone agreed that the current site was the best because it was in the center of town.
So, in 1908, a new court house was built. It had offices for the magistrate (the judge) and the police officer. A new police station, which was used as the police residence, was also built. These new buildings, along with a stable, cost about £800. The old court house and police buildings were sold and moved away.
The Court House Building
After the new Court House was built, police officers used two offices at the back of the building. This continued until 1916. After that, a Clerk of Petty Sessions (who helped manage court records) was appointed. Then, the police and the Clerk each used one office. In the late 1940s, the court house was even used as extra sleeping space for police officers.
By the late 1960s, the space for the police in the court house was too small. They only had one office and not much storage. In 1977, the northern verandah (an open porch) of the court house was closed in. This gave the police more office space. However, by 1986, there still wasn't enough room. A new police station was finished in 1987. During its construction, the old cell block was moved to the Rosewood BMX ground to become a club canteen.
The Rosewood court house officially closed in 1991.
The Police Residence Building
The Police Residence also saw some changes over the years. In 1923, a verandah was added to its eastern side. This verandah was then closed in during 1939. Later, in 1985, another house was built on the land next door. This new house faced Railway Street.
What the Rosewood Police Complex Looks Like
The Rosewood Police Complex is in the middle of Rosewood. It's on the northern corner of Railway and John Streets. It has the old court house, the police residence, and a newer police station built recently. These buildings make up an important part of the look of John Street, which has many timber buildings.
The Former Court House
The old court house is a single-story building made of timber. It has a special roof shape called a half-gable and hipped roof, covered with corrugated iron. The building stands on concrete stumps. It has a T-shape layout. The court room faces John Street, and verandahs surround it on three sides. Offices are located at the back.
The outside of the building has weatherboard siding. The verandahs have timber railings, posts, and curved decorations. French doors and sash windows open from the court room onto the verandahs. The northern verandah has been closed in with hardboard and louvred windows.
Inside, the building still has some of its original court room furniture. This includes a timber witness stand and the Judge's bench. The walls inside are made of vertical timber boards, and the ceilings are also boarded.
The Police Residence
The police residence is located at the corner of Railway and John Streets. It's also a single-story building made of weatherboard. It has a similar half-gable and hipped corrugated iron roof. There's a verandah on the southern side that has been closed in with weatherboard and louvres. Another verandah on the northeast side was added later and also closed in with weatherboard and windows. There's also a closed-in verandah room on the western side.
Inside the residence, the walls have vertical timber boards, and the ceilings are boarded. The doors have fanlights (small windows above the door). Most of the windows are timber sash windows.
The New Police Station
The police station is a newer building. It's a single-story structure made of masonry (like brick or stone). It sits between the old court house and the police residence, facing John Street.
Why the Rosewood Police Complex is Special
The Rosewood Police Complex was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1994. This means it's recognized as an important historical site for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed. The complex helps us understand how Rosewood grew as an important town in the early 1900s.
- It's a great example of its building type. The old court house is a good example of how the Public Works department designed buildings like this.
- It looks beautiful. The way the buildings are made, with their materials, shapes, and size, makes them an important and attractive part of the Rosewood town.
- It has a strong connection to the community. The site has been linked to the police since the 1870s, and the buildings date back to 1908. This means it has a very strong and special connection with the people of Rosewood.
Images for kids
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The rear of the Rosewood Courthouse in 2015.
