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Shandon, Rockhampton
Shandon (2009).jpg
Shandon, 2009
Location 166 Alma Street, Rockhampton City, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century)
Built c. 1892
Architectural style(s) Classicism
Official name: Shandon
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 28 July 2000
Reference no. 601492
Significant period 1890s (fabric, historical)
Significant components residential accommodation - main house, verandahs - arcaded
Builders Walter Adam Lawson
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Shandon is a beautiful old house in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It is located at 166 Alma Street. This special house was built around 1892 by a well-known local builder named Walter Adam Lawson. He also built other important buildings in Rockhampton, like the Rockhampton School of Arts. Shandon is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on July 28, 2000. This means it is a protected historical site.

The Story of Shandon

Shandon is one of the grandest homes in Rockhampton. It was built in 1892 by Walter Adam Lawson. He built it for Dr. Henry Edward Brown, who was a surgeon and doctor in the town.

A Home for Dr. Brown

Dr. Henry Brown started working in Rockhampton as a doctor around 1885. He lived on Campbell Street for a few years. By 1894, Dr. Brown was able to move into his amazing new house, Shandon, on Alma Street.

Dr. Brown was very busy. From 1892 to 1899, he was the Visiting Surgeon at the Children's Hospital in Rockhampton. This hospital had 32 beds for young patients. He also worked briefly at the Port Curtis and Leichhardt Hospital.

The Builder: Walter Adam Lawson

Walter Adam Lawson was a very talented builder and contractor in Rockhampton. He was born in Scotland in 1847 and learned his trade there. He moved to Rockhampton in 1875.

Lawson was known for making beautiful handcrafted doors and window frames. He started his own business in William Street. Later, around 1893, he moved his business to new premises on Bolsover Street.

Walter Adam Lawson built many important buildings in Rockhampton. These included Saint Andrew's Church and the School of Arts. He also built private homes for important people, like Dr. F.H.V. Voss and Dr. Henry E. Brown (Shandon).

The design ideas of Dr. Brown and the building skills of Walter Adam Lawson created Shandon. It is a place with great "architectural merit and interest." The National Trust of Queensland recognized Shandon as an important building in 1978.

What Shandon Looks Like

Shandon is a two-story house made of masonry. The outside is covered in a smooth finish. It faces Alma Street in Rockhampton.

Main Features

The front of the house is symmetrical, meaning both sides are the same. It has a two-story verandah (a covered porch). There are also two gables (the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof). Below the gables, there are bay windows on both levels.

The verandah wraps around the ends of the house. On the lower level, it has an arcade of arches made from the same smooth masonry. These arches have pilasters (flat columns) and decorative cast iron railings.

The upper level of the verandah has double timber posts. It also has cast iron railings and timber louvred panels above. A decorative molded string course (a horizontal band) runs between the two levels.

Nearby Landmarks

Shandon is located in an area with other important buildings. These include St Paul's Anglican Cathedral and St Paul's Cathedral Hall. There are also other church buildings nearby.

Why Shandon is Important

Shandon was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on July 28, 2000. This means it meets certain important standards.

Historical Importance

Shandon helps us understand the history of Queensland. It shows how buildings were designed and built in the late 1800s. It is also a great example of a large town house built for an important person, like Dr. Henry E. Brown.

Architectural Beauty

Shandon has special beauty that people in Rockhampton and beyond value. It is an important part of the street view on Alma and William Streets. It fits well with the nearby St Paul's Anglican Cathedral and other church buildings.

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