Toodyay Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Toodyay Court House |
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Old Courthouse, Toodyay
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| Alternative names | Toodyay Shire Council Offices |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Free Classical |
| Address | 13–17 Fiennes Street |
| Town or city | Toodyay |
| Coordinates | 31°33′10″S 116°27′58″E / 31.55287°S 116.465981°E |
| Completed | 1896 |
| Renovated | 1985 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | George Temple-Poole (1897) |
| Architecture firm | Public Works Department |
| Main contractor | Herbert Parker (1897) |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | D.M.B. Fitzhardinge (1985) |
| Renovating firm | Spadaccini Bros., Northam (1985) |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 24 October 2014 |
| Reference no. | 2560 |
The Old Toodyay Court House in Toodyay, Western Australia is a historic building. It has been used as local government offices for Toodyay since the 1950s.
History of the Court House
The main part of the building was designed by George Temple-Poole. It was built in 1896 and opened in January 1897. This new court house replaced an older one built in 1867. The site where the court house stands was once a convict hiring depot. This was one of four such places set up in the colony after convicts arrived in 1850.
In 1902, after only five years, the court house was no longer used. The last local judge left, and the building became empty. Many important records stored there were lost over time. Other buildings from the convict depot also fell into disrepair. For example, the old warders' quarters were pulled down around 1931.
In 1956, officials discussed fixing up the Court House. This happened after a health inspector reported problems with the building's drains. In 1957, the government agreed that the Crown Law Department and the Toodyay Road Board could share the building. The cost of repairs was about £1,000. The Road Board would pay £150 and the Public Works Department £750. The Board agreed to lease the building for 10 years for a small yearly fee.
In 1958, an old building next to the Court House was removed. This building was built in 1854 as the Toodyay Convict Depot Infirmary. It was Toodyay's first public hospital. A new hospital, Newcastle Hospital, replaced it in 1896. The old building was later used as a drill room and a store. It was also home to Norman Campbell until he passed away in May 1958. On January 1, 1959, the Toodyay Road Board moved into the newly repaired Court House.
In 1985, more space was added to the eastern side of the building. This addition cost $104,130 and added 120 square meters of office space. The new brickwork matched the original 1896 Court House design.
Building Style
The Old Toodyay Court House is a single-story building. It is made of brick with a corrugated iron roof. Its style is called Federation Free Classical. The building has a raised base and decorative archways. It also features special keystones and timber details.
Why This Building is Important
The former Court House is considered a very important historical building. The National Trust of Australia (WA) recognized it as important in 1977. It was also added to the Shire of Toodyay's local heritage list in 1998. In 2003, it was placed on the permanent state heritage register.
In 2010, archaeologists dug up the area around the court house. They found the old foundations of the convict depot. Because of these important findings, the entire site was added to the state heritage register in June 2014.
