Old Police Station

Statement of Significance

This place has aesthetic, historic and social heritage significance. The building is significant in that it was the first permanent police building in Denmark. Prior to 1923, Denmark was policed from Albany. Constable PO Johns was made officer in charge in 1911, setting up office in a building near the river in 1912. However this police service was soon discontinued and for another ten years Denmark went back to being serviced by police from Albany. The police station built in 1923 is directly related to the great influx of people under the Group Settlement Scheme. The plans for the office and cells, the police quarters and stable were drawn up in 1920 but the buildings were not completed until June 1923. The stable was located near Mitchell Street on the site of the present Police Quarters.

The police officer in charge in 1923 was Constable F Cook. Through the Group Settlement years the resident constable had to do his rounds on horseback. When not stabled, his horse was kept in a paddock on the site of the present Police Station. In 1938 Constable AJ Farrier is said to have travelled approximately 135km per week on his rounds. The longest serving police constable in the Old Police Station was Constable FH Bibby who served from 1948 to 1958. When the new Police Station was built in 1985 the Denmark Historical Society wrote to the Minister for Police asking for the old station to be transferred to the Shire of Denmark for museum purposes. This was approved and with Council encouragement the Historical Society took over the site in 1987 and set about collecting objects and setting up displays. After two years' work the Museum was opened on 4 March 1989 by Valerie Milne, Curator of the Albany Residency Museum. In 1983 old plans of the Police Station were found and these were presented to the Denmark Historical Society at an official function at the new Police Station. The Demark Historical Society still operates the museum which contains interesting photographic displays.

Physical Description

The Old Police Station (now the Denmark Historical Museum) is located on Loc. 1021 which is part of former Lot 98, the location of the present Police Station.

The building fronts onto Mitchell St and is built to the standard design for four cell police stations in WA. The former police residence was bought by Murray Thornton who transported it to Harper Road. A museum workroom has been added as a lean-to on the back and out of sight from the road. Several sheds have been erected in the small yard for machinery and for a blacksmith shop. A garden of native shrubs enhances the building's setting.

The Shire of Denmark has granted planning approval for a new store/work room to the north-eastern side of the building; the building permit application is pending as at July 2014.

History

The building fronts onto Mitchell Street and is built to the standard
design for four cell police stations in WA. The former police residence was
located on the area which is now the Police parking area. The residence
was bought by builder Murray Thornton who transported it to Harper
Road. A museum workroom has been added as a lean-to on the back and
out of sight from the road. Several sheds have been erected in the small
yard for machinery and for a blacksmith shop. A garden of native shrubs
enhances the building’s setting.

The Shire of Denmark has granted planning approval for a new store/work room t the north-eastern side of the building; the building permit

Prior to 1923, Denmark was policed from Albany. Constable PO Johns was made officer in charge in 1911, setting up office in a building near the river in 1912. However this police service was soon discontinued and for another ten years Denmark went back to being served by police from Albany. The police station built in 1923 is directly related to the great influx of population under the Group Settlement Scheme. Plans for the office and cells, the police quarters and stable were drawn up in 1920 but the buildings were not completed until June 1923. The stable was located near Mitchell Street on the site of the present Police Quarters.

The first police officer in charge in 1923 was Constable F Cook. Through the Group Settlement years the resident constable had to do his rounds on horseback. When not stabled, his horse was kept in a paddock on the site of the present Police Station. In 1938 a Constable AJ Farrier is said to have travelled approxiamately 135km per week on his rounds. The longest serving constable in the Old Police Station was Constable FH Bibby who served from 1948 to 1958. When the new police station was built in 1985 the Denmark Historical Society wrote to the Minister for Policing asking for the old station to be transferred to the Shire of Denmark for museum purposes. This was approved and with Council encouragement the Historical Society took over the site on 1987 and set about collecting objects and setting up displays. After two years work the Museum was opened on 4th March 1989 by Valerie Milne, Curator of the Albany Residence Museum. In 1993 old plans were found of the Police Station and these were presented to the Denmark Historical Society at an official function at the new Police Station. In 2010 the Denmark Historical Society still operates from the Museum which contains interesting photographic displays.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Most

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

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.