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Wharf Street Shop, Maryborough
Shop, 134 Wharf Street, Maryborough (1994).jpg
Wharf Street Shop, 1994
Location 134 Wharf Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period 1840s - 1860s (mid-19th century)
Built 1869
Official name: Shop, 134 Wharf Street, Maryborough, Shop, Wharf Street
Type state heritage (built)
Designated 21 October 1992
Reference no. 600720
Significant period 1860s (fabric)
Significant components toilet block/earth closet/water closet
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The Wharf Street Shop is a really old building in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. It's a special place because it's been around since 1869 and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's an important part of Queensland's history and worth protecting! You can find it at 134 Wharf Street.

A Look Back at the Wharf Street Shop

The shop at 134 Wharf Street was built way back in 1869. It was one of three shops located right in the busy wharf area of the Port of Maryborough.

How Maryborough Grew

Maryborough started to be settled in September 1847. George Furber set up a wool storage building on the south side of the Mary River. Other people, like ET Aldridge and Henry and RE Palmer, soon followed. They built their own wharves on the other side of the river.

In 1850, a new town area was planned further down the river. This spot was better for ships to reach. Most people moved to this new area, which is where Maryborough is today, around 1855 and 1856.

Maryborough's Busy Port

Maryborough became an official Port of Entry in 1859. It was declared a town in 1861. During the 1860s and 1870s, it became very important. It was the main port for the nearby Gympie goldfield. It also helped transport timber and sugar. Factories and other industries kept the town growing into the 1900s.

The Shop's Early Days

The small building at 134 Wharf Street was originally one of three identical shops. They all had roofs made of wooden shingles. The other two shops were next to it on the eastern side. Today, a small office building stands where those other shops used to be. We don't know if parts of the old shops are still hidden under the current building.

The shop at 134 Wharf Street has always been used for small businesses. It has had many different owners over the years. Even today, it still operates as a retail store.

What the Shop Looks Like

The building at 134 Wharf Street is a simple, one-story building. Its walls are made of brick and covered with a smooth finish. It has a steeply sloped roof that looks like a pyramid, covered with corrugated metal.

Front of the Shop

A small awning sticks out from the front of the building. This awning is part of the main roof. It is held up by wooden brackets. Some local people say there's still an old shingle roof underneath the metal one!

The front of the shop has a large glass window on the left side. The entrance is on the right side. It has a double wooden door with panels. You walk up two steps to get to it. Above the front door, there's a large fan-shaped window. It has vertical iron bars for security.

Inside and Around the Shop

The front part of the inside is one big, open room. At the back of the building, there's a brick extension. You get to it by walking down a narrow hallway on the eastern side. This hall leads to two rooms on the right. It also goes to the back exit door.

Next to the shop on the eastern side is a low brick office building. On the western side, there's a driveway. This driveway goes around to the back of the building. There, you'll find two outdoor toilets. The land behind the building connects to the backyards of other properties. This makes it look like a shared space. The building is built simply, without many fancy decorations.

Why This Shop is Special

The shop at 134 Wharf Street was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's recognized as an important historical place. It met certain rules to be listed:

Showing Queensland's History

This shop is important because it's one of the oldest shops still standing in the Wharf Street area. It was built before many other buildings were made bigger in the late 1800s. It helps us understand how the business area grew when the port was set up near Wharf Street.

A Typical Old Shop Design

The way the shop is designed shows what shops looked like in the mid-1800s. It has the main entrance door and a window right on the front. This was a common style back then.

Adding to the Street's Look

The shop also has a special look that adds to the feel of Wharf Street. This street has many old commercial and public buildings from the 1800s. The shop helps make the whole street look consistent and historical.

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