Schotia Place facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Schotia Place |
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Schotia Place, 2020
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| Location | 201 Bolsover Street, Rockhampton City, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1898 |
| Architect | Eaton & Bates |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Schotia Place, Rockhampton City Markets (former), Rockhampton Senior Citizens Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600784 |
| Significant period | 1890s (fabric) 1899-c. 1920 (historical use) 1920s-1970s (City Council Utilities use) |
| Significant components | shop/s, stage/sound shell, hall, tower |
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Schotia Place is a special building in Rockhampton City, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a busy market where people bought and sold goods. Now, it is a community centre. The building was designed by architects Eaton & Bates and finished in 1898. It is also known as the former Rockhampton City Markets and the Rockhampton Senior Citizens Centre. This historic site was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Contents
A Look Back: Schotia Place History
Schotia Place is a brick building that was designed as a market for the Rockhampton Municipal Council. It has two dome-like towers called cupolas and a curved roof. The market officially opened on 18 April 1899.
Rockhampton's Early Days
Rockhampton was founded on the Fitzroy River. It became a town on 25 October 1858. The first land sales happened the next month. A local council was elected in 1861.
The Need for a Market
In 1870, the people of Rockhampton asked their council for a market. Land was set aside for this purpose in 1871. However, the council did not have enough money to build a proper market at first. So, they rented out parts of the land for 15 years. This helped them save money for future building.
Markets were important places in the past. They were where people bought and sold fresh food and other goods. They were also central to community life. Over time, as transport improved, larger markets developed.
Markets in Other Cities
Other Australian cities also had markets. Brisbane had its first market in 1867. Sydney had a produce market as early as 1803. Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878. These markets provided everyday items for people.
Some large cities in the USA also had similar markets. For example, the Eastern Market in Detroit started in the 1850s. The Eastern Market in Washington DC was a brick building built around 1872. Farmers sold their produce inside these halls.
Building the Rockhampton Market
Even 20 years after the first request, Rockhampton still did not have a proper market building. Farmers had to sell their goods from a temporary spot. In 1891, people called for a new, proper market.
The architectural firm Eaton and Bates started designing the new City Markets in 1896. This company had opened an office in Rockhampton two years earlier. They designed many buildings in the area.
The new Rockhampton City Markets were opened on 18 April 1899. The Governor of Queensland, Baron Lamington, was there for the opening. He noted that even Brisbane did not have a retail market like this one.
Changes Over Time
The Rockhampton City Markets did not stay a market for very long, only about 20 years. Other groups started using parts of the building. In 1903, the Naval Brigade Office was there. During the First World War, an army recruiting office opened in the front.
In 1918, the Fitzroy River flooded badly. The market building provided shelter for 200 people who had to leave their homes.
Around 1920, the City Markets stopped selling local produce. This happened because shops like department stores became more popular. Also, Rockhampton already had many well-established shops.
New Uses for the Building
In the mid-1920s, the Electricity Supply Department of the Rockhampton City Council moved into the building. Classes from the nearby Rockhampton School of Arts were also held there. By 1940, it was known as the City Council Buildings.
During the Second World War, the US Army used the covered space. After the war, government services continued to use the building. The building survived because its inside space could be used for many different things.
Becoming Schotia Place
In the 1970s, the Rockhampton City Council decided to restore the old market building. They turned it into a community centre for senior citizens. A new section was added to the back of the building.
The Federal Minister for Health, Dr Doug Everingham, opened the new community centre. It was renamed Schotia Place on 15 November 1974. In 2012, the front of the building was updated.
What Schotia Place Looks Like
Schotia Place is located between Bolsover Street, Market Lane, and East Lane. The building has two main parts. The front part, built in 1898-99, faces Bolsover Street. The larger back part was added in 1974.
The Front Section
The front of Schotia Place is made of reddish bricks with white mortar. It has a classic design. A large, curved roof acts like the building's spine. On the front, this roof looks like a simple curved gable.
The front of the building is symmetrical, meaning it's the same on both sides. It has two small towers called cupolas with dome-shaped tops. Each cupola has a narrow, rounded window. The front also has a central section with a double door and large, round-headed windows. A curved canopy extends over the footpath at the entrance.
The Side and Back Sections
The side and back walls are made of duller bricks. They have less decoration than the front. There are three gated entrances on each long side. These entrances lead into the building. Many windows are set into the walls between the entrances.
Inside the Building
The main part of the inside is a large hall under the curved roof. This hall has a stage at one end. Around the hall, there are smaller rooms on the ground floor. These rooms were part of the 1974 addition.
At the front of the building, facing Bolsover Street, there is a wide space that connects to a corridor. This corridor separates the hall from six rooms at the very front. These front rooms were part of the original 1898-99 building. They are now used by small shops, an office, and a rest room.
Above the transition space and some rooms, there is a mezzanine level. This is like a half-floor that fits under the curved roof. The floors in the hall are made of polished wood. The ceiling in the hall is not curved like the roof, but has many flat sections. The walls are smooth. There is also a kitchen area that was updated in 1994.
The front rooms have wooden floors covered with carpet. The walls are plastered, and the ceilings are quite high.
Why Schotia Place is Special
Schotia Place is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it is very important.
- Shows History: It helps us understand how trade and business developed in Queensland. It was built as a city market.
- Rare Building: It is a rare example of a building made specifically for farmers to sell their produce.
- Typical Market Features: It has a large, open space inside that was perfect for market stalls. This was a common feature of public markets from that time.
- Looks Great: Schotia Place is also important because it looks beautiful. The front of the building uses classic design ideas in a unique way. The mix of red brick and white plaster looks striking. The cupolas framing the curved roof are also a special design feature.
- Community Connection: Schotia Place has a strong connection to the Rockhampton community. It was built as a public market, and later it was renovated to become a community centre for senior citizens.
