Valley Heights railway gatehouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley Heights railway gatehouse |
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The gatehouse, pictured c. 1878
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| Location | 110 and 112 Green Parade, Valley Heights, City of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1867 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Rustic Gothic |
| Official name: Railway Gatehouse; Gatekeeper's Cottage | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 220 |
| Type | Gatehouse |
| Category | Transport - Rail |
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The Valley Heights railway gatehouse is a special old building in Valley Heights, Australia. It was built way back in 1867. This gatehouse is also known as the Valley Heights Gatekeeper's Cottage. It's a privately owned home today. This historic building is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected because it's important to history.
A Look Back: The Gatehouse's Story
This sandstone cottage was built in 1867. It was one of twelve almost identical buildings. These cottages were built when the railway line was being expanded to the west.
The people who lived in these cottages were called gatekeepers. Their job was to open and close a gate across the railway tracks. They did this when trains were scheduled to pass by. It's interesting to know that there were two such crossings in Valley Heights. There was also one nearby in Springwood. That one is still there today as part of a childcare center!
From the 1860s, the railway tracks often shared narrow paths with roads. This meant many level crossings were needed. Twelve of these crossings had gates. A gatekeeper's cottage stood next to each one. Six of these original stone cottages from 1867 are still standing. However, only four of them can still be lived in and are in their original spots. Other surviving gatehouses are in Lapstone, Springwood, Medlow Bath, and Mount Victoria.
What Does It Look Like?
The Valley Heights gatehouse is a single-story cottage. It has a special roof design with intersecting gables. These gables face north towards the railway line. The cottage sits a bit below the railway tracks.
The main part of the roof runs east to west. Another part of the roof, called an intersecting gable, is in the middle of the north side. There's a small skillion roof porch on the west side of the north gable. A skillion roof is also on the back (south side) of the house.
The roof is made of corrugated steel. The chimney is built from sandstone. The walls are made of rough-cut sandstone blocks. The corners and areas around the windows have smooth, rock-faced stones called quoins. The gables have narrow vents. The front door is on the west side of the north wing. You enter it from the small porch.
The windows are "two over two-pane double hung" style. This means they have two panes of glass on the top and two on the bottom. The only exception is a pair of narrow windows on the north gabled front.
The yard on the south side has a natural rock shelf. The garden has beautiful, grown-up rhododendrons and liquidambar trees.
Why Is It Special?
The Valley Heights railway gatehouse is very important. It is one of only four gatekeeper's cottages still standing in their original spots in the Blue Mountains. There were twelve of these cottages originally!
The building itself is also special. It was designed in a style called Victorian Rustic Gothic. This style gives it a unique and historic look.
Because of its history and unique design, the Valley Heights railway gatehouse was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This listing helps protect it for future generations.
