Toowoomba City Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toowoomba City Hall |
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Toowoomba City Hall, 2014
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| Location | 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1900 - 1937 |
| Architect | Willoughby Powell |
| Official name: Toowoomba City Hall, Toowoomba Town Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600865 |
| Significant period | 1900s, 1937 (fabric) 1900 - ongoing (historical, social) |
| Significant components | auditorium, council chamber/meeting room, strong room, office/s, clock, fence/wall - perimeter, tower - clock |
| Builders | Alexander Mayne |
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The Toowoomba City Hall is a special old building in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It's located at 541 Ruthven Street. This building was designed by Willoughby Powell and built in 1900 by Alexander Mayne. It's also known as Toowoomba Town Hall. This important building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992, meaning it's protected for its history.
This is the third town hall built in Toowoomba. It was the place where Toowoomba was officially declared a city. It was also the very first building in Queensland built specifically to be a city hall.
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History of Toowoomba City Hall
The Toowoomba City Hall, which is the city's third town hall, was built in 1900. It was designed by Willoughby Powell. The building stands on the spot where the School of Arts used to be. When it first opened, the City Hall had offices for the city council. It also had rooms for a school of arts, a technical college, and a public hall.
Early Days of Toowoomba
The first people settled in the Toowoomba area around 1842. This was near where Drayton is today. By 1850, a big drought made many people move to "The Swamp." This area had plenty of water.
In 1853, "The Swamp" was surveyed, and land was sold. In 1858, "The Swamp" was officially named Toowoomba. On 30 June 1860, Toowoomba residents asked to become a municipality. This request was approved on 24 November 1860. The first local government started in November 1860. One of their first projects was to build a town hall. A simple wooden building was finished in January 1862.
Toowoomba Grows Bigger
In 1867, the railway line reached Toowoomba. This helped the town grow a lot. The 1860s and 1870s saw Toowoomba expand quickly. A newspaper, banks, a jail, and a courthouse were built. Toowoomba Grammar School opened, and the Toowoomba Foundry started. Toowoomba was declared a town in 1887.
The first wooden town hall was replaced in 1881. A new brick building was designed by Albert Myers. This second town hall was later sold. A boys' school was built on that site in 1906.
Why a New City Hall?
As Toowoomba grew, the second town hall became too far from the main business area. The council wanted a new hall in a more central spot. Finding suitable land was expensive. They thought about building on the site of the School of Arts. This idea was first rejected.
However, the School of Arts building was badly damaged by a fire on 21 June 1898. This made the council reconsider. They decided to build the new town hall on that site.
Designing the New Hall
The council held a competition to design the new town hall. Willoughby Powell won the competition with his design called "Sincerity."
Willoughby Powell was an architect born in England. He moved to Australia in 1872. He worked for the Queensland Public Works Department. He designed many important buildings in the Toowoomba area. These include Toowoomba Grammar School buildings and Warwick Town Hall.
Alexander Mayne's company was chosen to build the hall. Construction began on 20 February 1900. The foundation stone was laid by Sir Samuel Griffith. The Toowoomba Town Hall was officially opened on 12 December 1900. The Mayor, Alderman Matthew Keeffe, opened it.
What the Hall Looked Like Inside
The new hall had three main parts. The School of Arts and Technical College were on the first floor. They had classrooms and reading rooms. The public hall or theatre was at the back of the building. It had many seats for shows.
The municipal offices were on the ground floor. These included offices for the Town Clerk and the Mayor. The council chamber was described as "very fine." It had a beautiful ceiling made of stamped metal.
The Famous Clock Tower
The original plans didn't include a public clock. The tower was meant to be much shorter. But during construction, the council decided to add a clock. A clock was imported from England. It was installed in the early 1900s. The clock was made by Gillett and Johnston. It's still working today! You can even see the words "S.S. Devonshire" on one of the bells. This was likely the ship that brought the clock to Australia.
How the Hall Was Used Over Time
After it was built, City Hall was used for many things. For over 60 years, it was the main office for the Toowoomba City Council. It was also a key place for education. Toowoomba's main library was in the hall for over 50 years. This library started as the School of Arts Library.
The School of Arts also taught classes. This was one of the few ways people could get higher education back then. The hall was used for technical education for more than ten years. In 1911, a new Toowoomba Technical College was built. The Queensland Government then took over technical education.
Besides council and education, City Hall hosted many cultural and social events. These included public meetings, concerts, plays, and even sports like boxing.
Changes and Updates
Over the years, the building was changed to meet new needs. The theatre part of the building changed the most. Before the 1940s, the sloped floor meant it couldn't be used for dances.
In the mid-1930s, the council decided to improve the facilities. They added a room for an art gallery and more office space. This extension was finished in 1937. It was designed by Hodgen and Hodgen.
In the 1940s, the theatre had major changes. The old gallery was removed. New seating was added, which made it easier to see the stage. The inside was redecorated, and the roof above the stage was raised.
In 1972-1973, more big changes were made to the theatre. The main floor and balcony were removed. A new floor was built to improve views. New seating, dressing rooms, and a wider stage were added. The theatre reopened in July 1973.
As the council staff grew, they needed more space. When the technical college moved out in 1911, the council took over their rooms. More space became available when the library moved out in 1951. By the 1950s, most of the building was used for council offices. In 1963, a new office building was built nearby.
In 1985, two ornamental pillars from the original City Hall were moved. They had been used as gateposts at the old Toowoomba Showgrounds. When the showgrounds closed, the pillars were brought back and put outside City Hall.
The Toowoomba Art Gallery moved out of City Hall in 1994. It moved into its own building. Starting in 1995, City Hall had a big makeover. The outside of the building was restored to look like it did originally in 1997. This allowed the city councillors to move back and meet in City Hall again.
What Toowoomba City Hall Looks Like
Toowoomba City Hall is a two-story building made of stone. It has a square tower in the middle. The back of the building has a corrugated iron roof. It faces Ruthven Street to the east. The building has special brickwork and fancy classical decorations. The front roof is hidden behind a decorative wall.
The building's original shape from 1900 is still mostly there. Meeting rooms are at the front, and the auditorium is at the back. Some parts were changed in 1937 and 1972-1973. In 1995, a walkway was built to connect the hall to the nearby Commonwealth Offices.
The Front of the Building
The front of the building, facing Ruthven Street, is very grand and balanced. It has a wide section that sticks out in the middle. This central part has three arches on the ground floor. These arches lead to the main entrance. The first floor also has three central arches with decorations.
The clock tower is square. It has a clock face on each side. The top of the tower is brown, and the bottom is cream. There are openings for air at the top and bottom of the tower. The very top has a decorative railing.
The windows on the ground floor have special frames. On the first floor, there are oriel windows. These are windows that stick out from the wall.
Inside the Hall
When you enter, you go into a central lobby. There are glass doors that lead to a foyer. A wooden staircase goes up to the first floor.
On the first floor, offices are on either side of the foyer. The reception area has a strong room. This was part of the original design. The rooms are simple but have nice details like plaster cornices and fireplaces.
The largest meeting room on the ground floor was the original council chamber. It has a fancy plaster ceiling with designs.
On the second floor, there's a reception area and a large function room. This room has a fireplace and three french doors that open onto the balcony. It also has a skylight for light. The Mayor's office is also on this floor.
The auditorium (the main hall for events) has wooden panels on the walls. The seats are tiered, meaning they go up like steps. Fire exits are along the back wall.
In the area that was added in the 1930s, there are toilets on the ground floor. On the first floor, there's a large meeting room with special ceiling panels that have fluorescent lighting.
At the back of the ground floor, another wooden staircase leads to the auditorium. There are also swing doors that lead to the auditorium foyer.
On the first floor, there's a function area with a bar and kitchen. A lift is also available. This part of the building connects to the Commonwealth Offices next door with a glass walkway.
Outside Features
The front of the hall has a fence. It has cast iron railings and original concrete pillars. At the back of the site, there's a paved car park.
Why Toowoomba City Hall is Important
Toowoomba City Hall was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place.
- Shows History: It has been the main place for local government in Toowoomba for over 90 years. Its large size and grand look show how important and wealthy Toowoomba was around 1900.
- Great Example: It's a good example of a civic building from the early 1900s. It combines different styles in its design.
- Looks Good: The building's front, facing Ruthven Street, makes the street look impressive. Its clock tower is a landmark that helps people find their way.
- Community Connection: The site has been used by the public for over 100 years. First as the School of Arts, then housing the School of Arts and Technical College. It continues to be a central place for social and community events in Toowoomba.
- Important People: The hall is linked to the work of architect Willoughby Powell. He designed many important public buildings in Queensland. It's also connected to William Hodgen, a Toowoomba architect who designed the 1937 changes.
