Local Government
Esperance
Region
Goldfields
1A William St Esperance
Esperance Hospital (Government Hospital)
Old Hospital Motel
Esperance
Goldfields
Constructed from 1896
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 23 Jul 1996 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 27 Apr 2021 | Some/Moderate significance | |
The old hospital has heritage value because it was the first hospital in Esperance. There is documentation about its humble beginnings (see attached as recorded in the Esperance Chronicle. 1896 period).
Built in 1896. this small building. with a verandah on all sides. is essentially 'Australian' in character - Originally the building sat on piers of paper bark logs (an example is still retained). These have now been replaced by hardwood timber piers. The building has four rooms which were originally the nurse's room, servant's room. ward, and kitchenlbathroom. A very narrow passageway separates them. The original skirting board was painted dark green. The walls were a buff colour and the doors, brown and mustard (now repainted). The building was renovated and painted in 1990 and is now a central part of the Old Hospital Motel Complex.
When typhoid fever had broken out 13 March 1896 there was a need for a hospital in Esperance. A deputation to Dr Black. Resident Magistrate led to the building of the hospital. The tender was won by Mr J Winfield. while Mr F J Daw was awarded the tender for furniture. The 'Nurse in charge' was appointed from a goldfields hospital. When the population in Esperance shrank in the early 1900s the hospital was no longer warranted. so it was closed in 1909. The building and equipment were handed over to the Local Board of Health and the building and contents were leased out. After 1923 the question of a suitable hospital for Esperance was again raised. It was decided that the building and the equipment were no longer suitable and plans were made for a new hospital. The result of the debate was the importing of the old Wellard Hospital (place No 17) to be the second Esperance Government Hospital in 1929. The old hospital was then bought by Mr W Baird for around £77 in 1929 and it has had successive owners since that time. It is currently a central feature of the Old Hospital Motel complex and enjoys a new lease of life in this role.
Integrity: Walls, ceilings, doors, door fittings, floors, windows Modification: Verndah boards replaced and enclosed.
Good
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 30 May 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 27 June 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 8 May 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 22 July 1896 | ||
| "Government Gazette". | 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 29 July 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 13 June 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle".p.4 | 20 March 1896 | ||
| J Rintou; "Esperance, Yesterday and Today". p.171,172 | |||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 1 May 1896 | ||
| "Esperance Chronicle". | 23 May 1896 |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | COMMERCIAL | Hotel, Tavern or Inn |
| Original Use | HEALTH | Hospital |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| Wall | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
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