Mary Street Centre

Author

Shire of Northampton

Place Number

08956

Location

55 Mary St Northampton

Location Details

was 23-25 Mary St

Other Name(s)

Garage/Service Station
Hardware Shop

Local Government

Northampton

Region

Midwest

Construction Date

Constructed from 1940, Constructed from 1939

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 19 Apr 1996 Category 3

Statement of Significance

The 'Mary Street Centre' building has local significance aesthetically and historically as an example of early garage architecture which was a prominent feature in country towns in the past.

Physical Description

The 'Mary Street Centre' building was originally built as an early service station and hardware store. Its form is representative of its style and period which varies greatly from today's image of garage/service stations. The materials are cement block with CGI roof. The tall single storey building was built by T.P. Crothers who built, and lived in, the adjoining house to the east. The high forecourt entry presents a different scale to an otherwise domestic street and Northampton generally once away from the main street. The steel cantilevered awning bracket/supports with circular motives are said to have been salvaged from the Gwalla Station. The 'Mary Street Centre' is midway between the historic main street of Northampton and the Railway Station at the end of Mary Street which superseded the Gwalla Station.

History

This building was formerly run as a hardware store by Mr T.P.Crothers as well as a petrol station. It features decorative details from the Gwalla railway station. The garage sold fuels and oils and had fuel pumps at the front of the shop. T.P. Crothers also operated the town electricity supply (at the rear of Site No.73). Bernie Hawes, Max Williams, Wilf Woodcock and Crothers family members were employed by this business and could give descriptions of the interiors.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Medium Modifications: Various adaptations Orig'l Fabric: Mostly intact

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Smith KR; "Birth of a Legend - The History of the Geraldton Building Company and the men and women who made it possible". Geraldton Building Co Pty Ltd 1994

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use VACANT\UNUSED Vacant\Unused
Original Use COMMERCIAL Other

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Wall CONCRETE Concrete Block
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Commercial & service industries
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS Road transport

Creation Date

16 Jul 1997

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

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.