Toodyay Fire Station facts for kids
The Toodyay Fire Station is an interesting old building located on Stirling Terrace in the town of Toodyay, Western Australia. It was once a busy place where firefighters kept their equipment and got ready to help the community. Today, this historic building has a new life as an art gallery.
Building Style and Design
The Toodyay Fire Station was designed by an architect named Ken Duncan, who was also a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. It was built in 1939. The building is special because of its cool Art Deco style, especially on the front. Art Deco was a popular design style in the 1920s and 1930s, known for its sleek lines and geometric shapes.
This fire station is one of only two buildings of its kind that were built in Western Australia during the 1930s. It has a mix of painted brick at the bottom and a smooth, rendered (plastered) finish on the upper parts. There's also an extension on the side that matches the original building's style.
A Look at the History
The Toodyay Fire Station was built because of a new law called the Bush Fires Act of 1937. This law made it possible for local towns and areas to be in charge of preventing and fighting bushfires. It also allowed them to buy and store fire-fighting equipment and create their own fire brigades.
The fire station served the Toodyay community for many years. However, in 2002, the fire services moved to a brand new building that was more modern and had better facilities.
After the firefighters moved out, the old Toodyay Fire Station found a new purpose. It is now used as an art gallery, where people can visit and enjoy different kinds of art. It's a great example of how old buildings can be given a new life!