York Courthouse Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids York Courthouse Complex |
|
|---|---|
York Courthouse Complex in 2008
|
|
| Alternative names | York Police Station |
| General information | |
| Address | 124 Avon Tce |
| Town or city | York, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°53′19″S 116°46′07″E / 31.8887°S 116.7687°E |
| Construction started | 1852 |
| Completed | 1896 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | George Temple-Poole |
| Official name | York Police Station, Court House & Gaol |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 16 December 1994 |
| Reference no. | 2852 |
The York Courthouse Complex is a very old and important group of buildings in York, Western Australia. It's located on Avon Terrace. These buildings were constructed between 1852 and 1896. They are considered one of the most important historical and architectural sites in Western Australia.
Contents
Early Buildings: Cells and Police Quarters
In the past, people who had been given a "Ticket of leave" (which meant they were convicts working for others) were often reported for breaking rules. A common punishment was spending time in a lock-up. Because of this, a cell block and police quarters were built in 1852.
These early buildings can be seen in an old drawing of York from 1857. The lock-up part of the building is mostly the same today. Some inside walls were removed to make bigger cells. The cell block was built by a group of soldiers called the 20th Company of Royal Sappers and Miners.
Adding the Courthouse
In 1859, another building was added to the complex. This building is now known as the No. 2 courthouse. It was built next to the police station.
In 1874, this courthouse was made twice as big. The person who designed this expansion was an architect named Richard Roach Jewell.
Troopers' Cottage and Stables
More buildings were added in 1865. These included a small house for troopers (police officers) and stables for their horses. These were built near the cells, along with an exercise yard for the people held in the cells.
New Courthouse and Police Quarters
In 1895, the old police quarters were taken down. New, larger courthouse and police quarters were built in front of the complex, facing Avon Terrace. This project cost £3,000.
John Forrest, a very important person at the time, laid the first stone for the new building on October 24, 1895. He was given a special silver tool for this event. Forrest mentioned that this new building would remind future generations of a time when Western Australia was growing fast because of gold discoveries.
When these new buildings were finished in 1896, some people in York didn't like them. They thought the buildings were too big and stood out too much on the main street. People also didn't like that the jail was still in the middle of the main street.
The police stopped using their quarters in 1981. The courthouse stopped being used in 1983. After that, the entire complex was taken over by the National Trust of Australia (WA).
Building Design and Importance
The architect who designed the front buildings was George Temple-Poole. He used a style called Federation Free Style. This style is a type of the Federation Arts and Crafts style, often used for commercial buildings.
According to Ian Molyneux, an expert in old buildings, the York Post Office (built in 1893) and the Courthouse and police station together create "one of the finest building groups in the State." He said they have a lot of energy while still looking harmonious.
Visiting the Complex
Today, the Courthouse complex is open for visitors. You can visit from Thursday to Monday throughout most of the year. It is closed from mid-December to the end of February.
Official Recognition
The York Courthouse Complex is officially recognized as an important historical site by several groups:
- The National Trust of Australia (since March 5, 1985).
- The Aboriginal Sites Register.
- The Register of the National Estate (since March 21, 1978).
- The Shire register (since December 31, 1995).
- The State Register of Heritage Places (since December 16, 1994).
