Fortress Observation Post, Mt Herschel, Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

Parent Place or Precinct

03650 Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

Physical Description

The Mt Herschel Fortress Observation Post is a one room, single storey building of reinforced concrete construction, with a flat cantilevered roof and observation windows on three sides. Archival data notes that these buildings were originally painted in a light green tone for camouflage purposes, however the current finish of the FOP is an ochre, orange tone more in keeping with the finish of cottages through the Thomson Bay settlement mall.
The building is of simple concrete construction with a flat roof which projects on three sides to shelter the observation windows below. Entry to the structure is from the southern frontage, with horizontal observation windows at eye level on each of the east, west and northern facades. While originally open to the elements, fixed panel windows have been retrofit into the structure at some point in the past and are currently metal framed with obscured safety glazing. The contemporary windows provide no visual connection between the internal and external space, impacting upon any ability to understand its original functionality as an observation post. A variety of contemporary telecommunications infrastructure and signal antennae have been affixed to the roof of the FOP, with one such mast puncturing through the centre of the roof structure to affix to the internal floor below.
While archival sources also note that the subject place was once fitted with steel window shutters, no evidence of this fabric remained at the time of inspection.
Internally, the building is rendered and painted white to both walls and ceiling. The internal space is utilitarian in nature with no notable detailing or features. The room appears to be largely utilised for the storage of equipment related to the contemporary antennae structures affixed to the roof.

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.