Midland Police Station & Lockup (fmr) - site

Statement of Significance

Former Midland Police Station & Lockup has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • The site is representative of the early historical commercial centre of Midland Junction. • The site has historical and social significance as the first purpose-built Police Station and Lockup in Midland Junction and pivotal in the early law and order enforcement in the area.

Physical Description

The site of the former Midland Police Station & Lockup is located at 27 Old Great Northern Highway. The original Police station was a single storey face brick building with a corrugated steel hip and gable roof displaying characteristics of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The building was demolished in 1988. The current building was built around 1989. The site currently contains the commercial development known as Midland Village which consists of four interconnecting two storey buildings. The buildings are of face brick construction with limestone quoins, parapets and window surrounds. A bullnose awning extends along the external facades.

History

The Midland Police Station & Lockup was the first police station built in Midland Junction in 1878. The site featured an open-air theatre/picture garden which operated to the rear of the lot during the 1950s and 1960s. The cinema building also contained a barber and milk bar. The cinema was built at the end of the silent movie period and as such employed a pianist for dramatic effects. The station and lockup were demolished in 1988 as part of the Swan Shire Council’s planning scheme to redevelop the northern area of Great Northern Highway (between The Avenue and Morrison Road). Prior to its demolition the local community as well as the National Trust sort for its retention. Despite it being classified as significant by the National Trust, the council had already arranged with developers and property owners to redevelopment the site and any changes to those plans would result in significant financial ramifications. As a compromise the local council proposed that the building be carefully demolished and stored with the intention of rebuilding the building in another location. A possible location was suggested along Spring Park Road opposite the new police complex.1 It was supposedly demolished and catalogued for reconstruction however as of 2024 there has been no further development. The extant building was constructed in 1989 and is known as Midland Village.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Low: The original station has been demolished. Authenticity - Low: The original station has been demolished.

Condition

N/A: The original station has been demolished.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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