Westpac Bank Building, Cooktown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westpac Bank Building, Cooktown |
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Westpac Bank, 2008
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| Location | 120 Charlotte Street, Cooktown, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1891 - 1891 |
| Architect | Francis Drummond Greville Stanley |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Westpac Bank, Cooktown, Bank of New South Wales, Queensland National Bank | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 11 March 1994 |
| Reference no. | 600419 |
| Significant period | 1890s (fabric) 1891-ongoing (historical use) |
| Significant components | furniture/fittings, banking chamber, residential accommodation - manager's house/quarters |
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The Westpac Bank Building is a very old and important building in Cooktown. It used to be a bank and is now protected because of its history and beautiful design. It's located at 120 Charlotte Street in Cooktown, Australia. A famous architect named Francis Drummond Greville Stanley designed it. The building was finished in 1891. It was first known as the Bank of New South Wales and the Queensland National Bank. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 11, 1994.
History of the Westpac Bank Building
This two-story brick building was completed in 1891. It was built for the Queensland National Bank. The building was designed by FDG Stanley. He designed many bank buildings in Queensland during the 1880s and 1890s.
In the early 1870s, a gold rush started near the Palmer River. Many miners and people looking for gold came to the area. This led to the town of Cooktown growing quickly. Cooktown became a proper town in 1876. The large buildings on Charlotte Street showed how important Cooktown was as a port and business center.
The Queensland National Bank started its business in Cooktown in 1874. They first had a small wooden building next to where the current bank stands. This old building was taken down when the new, bigger one was finished.
The Bank of New South Wales bought the building in 1934. Over the years, the building needed repairs. Work was done in 1941. More maintenance was needed in the 1950s due to problems like dry rot. The parts of the building where people lived were changed in the 1960s. A garage was also built then, which is now used for storage. The building has been regularly maintained since the 1970s.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Cooktown Westpac Bank is a two-story brick building. It has a corrugated iron roof. There are wooden verandahs on three sides of the building. The front of the building, which faces the street, is covered in a smooth finish. It has a large row of columns on the ground floor. The upper floor has more delicate details. There is a main entrance in the middle.
The building is shaped like an "L." The part facing the street has the bank on the ground floor. The public banking area is on the north-west side. Above this, on the first floor, is where the bank manager used to live. This area has bedrooms and a lounge that look out onto the street. Another part of the building extends to the back. This section has rooms for staff and a kitchen on one level.
The ground floor has round, smooth concrete columns. These columns support a decorative beam above them. There is also a concrete railing with shaped posts. The first floor has cast iron columns with flower-like tops. It also has a decorative iron railing and a wooden strip below the roof.
The main entrance has two columns on the ground floor. They stand on either side of an arch with a special stone at the top. A curved top part, called a pediment, goes across the entrance. Above this, there is a part that sticks out with arched wooden designs and a triangular wooden top. The roof edges have shaped wooden supports. A brick chimney rises above the roof.
The windows and doors on the ground floor facing the street are arched. They are connected by decorative lines and have special stones at their tops. The windows on the upper level are rectangular.
The sides and back of the building look simpler but still have nice details. The brick walls are not covered with a smooth finish. They have rectangular windows on both floors. The verandahs have pairs of wooden posts with decorative wooden parts. They also have wooden screens for sun protection and cast iron railings. Some parts of the side verandahs are enclosed.
Inside, the bank has beautiful decorations. The ceilings are made of plaster with fancy designs. These include decorative strips where the wall meets the ceiling, and special designs in the middle of the ceiling. The wooden parts include beautifully carved stairs. The doors are made of cedar wood with panels. They have special windows above them that let air through. The public banking area has a very impressive counter. It is richly carved and has metal grilles for ventilation.
The Cooktown Westpac Bank has a beautiful and well-preserved front. It adds a lot to the look of Charlotte Street. It also has lovely decorations inside.
As of 2016, the building is no longer a Westpac bank branch. Now, only an ATM service is available in the town.
Why is This Building Special?
The former Westpac Bank Building in Cooktown is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is considered very important and is protected. It was added to the list on March 11, 1994.
- Showing Queensland's History: This building, finished in 1891, helps us understand how Queensland developed. It shows how North Queensland grew, and how Cooktown became an important port and business center for the goldfields.
- A Great Example of a Bank Building: The building is a good example of a large brick bank building from the 1890s. It shows the main features of such buildings from that time.
- Beautiful Design: People value the building for its beauty. This includes its fine details on the outside and its lovely decorations inside. It also makes Charlotte Street look much nicer.
- Important to the Community: Since it has been a bank in Cooktown since 1891, it has a strong connection with the local community.
- Connected to a Famous Architect: The building is special because it was designed by FDG Stanley. He designed many buildings for the Queensland National Bank in the late 1800s.
