Townsville Magistrates Court facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Townsville Magistrates Court |
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Townsville Magistrates Court, 2003
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| Location | 81 Sturt Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1874–1901 |
| Architect | Francis Drummond Greville Stanley |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Townsville Magistrates Court (former), Townsville Court House, Townsville Museum | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600929 |
| Significant period | 1870s–1880s (historical) 1874–1910s (fabric) 1874–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | court house |
| Builders | J & J Rooney |
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The Townsville Magistrates Court is a special old building in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a courthouse where legal cases were heard. Today, it's a theatre!
This building is very old and important, so it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design. It was designed by an architect named Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and built by J & J Rooney between 1874 and 1876.
A Look Back: The Court's History
Building the Court House
This building was made from bricks and has only one floor. It was built between 1874 and 1876. This was the second Magistrates Court built in Townsville.
The architect who designed it was FDG Stanley. The builders, J & J Rooney, finished it for about £4,463. This was a lot of money back then!
It took two years to build because it was hard to find good clay for making bricks. This court house was only the second brick building ever built in Townsville.
What Happened Inside
The Townsville Magistrates Court was a very busy place. It held many different types of court sessions.
- The Supreme Court would visit twice a year for big cases.
- The Northern District Court also met there twice a year.
- The Police Court met every day to handle smaller issues.
- The Petty Debts Court met twice a week for money disputes.
A special area called a lockup was also part of the court house. This was a place to hold people who were arrested. There were also living quarters for the lockup keeper.
Changes Over Time
The building was looked after and painted in 1895. Two years later, in 1897, a verandah was added to the western side. In 1901, a strong room was built at the back for safekeeping important documents.
This building was used as a court house for almost 100 years! But then, new court buildings were built in Walker Street. People thought the old court house might be knocked down.
Luckily, the community stepped in and saved it! The Townsville City Council bought the building in the early 1970s.
New Uses for an Old Building
After being saved and fixed up, the building had many new lives. First, it was used as a day care center for children. Then, it became a place where tourists could get information.
In 1985, it became the Townsville Museum, showing off local history. The museum moved out in 2003.
Today, this historic building is used by the Full Throttle Theatre Company. It's a place where plays and performances happen!
What the Building Looks Like
This building has two main parts. The front part is made of brick with a smooth finish. The back part is made of timber.
The Front of the Building
The front of the building faces Sturt Street. It looks very grand and balanced. This part used to be the magistrate's office.
It has a classic entrance with a set of stairs leading up to it. This entrance has a triangular top, like a mini roof, called a pediment. It also has tall columns and round arched doors and windows. This strong design makes the building look important and lasting.
The Back of the Building
The back part of the building is made of timber. It has wide verandahs, which are like covered porches. These verandahs and the timber details fit well with Townsville's warm, tropical weather.
A section at the very back has been closed off with glass louvres. The strong room built in 1901 is still there today.
The main roof is made of corrugated iron and has a sloped shape. A smaller, flatter roof covers the strong room at the back.
Outside, there's a nice garden with grass and shade trees. Even though the inside has changed, the outside of the building still looks much like it did long ago.
Why This Place Is Special
The old Townsville Magistrates Court is very important. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. Here's why:
A Piece of History
This court house, finished in 1876, shows how Townsville grew as an important government center in northern Queensland. It also shows how brick buildings started to be used in Townsville.
A Great Example of Design
The building's grand, classic design shows what a court house should look like. It represents the important role of law and order.
Beautiful to Look At
The Magistrates Court is a beautiful old building from the 1800s. It looks great even in a modern city. It adds a lot to Townsville's historic look.
Important to the Community
Local people really value this building as part of their history. This was clear when the Townsville City Council bought it in the 1970s to save it.
Linked to Important People
This building is a great example of the work of colonial architect FDG Stanley. It also shows the early work of J & J Rooney, a building company from North Queensland.
