Residence

Author

Shire of Leonora

Place Number

24423

Location

Lot 49/50 Gwalia St Leonora

Location Details

Local Government

Leonora

Region

Goldfields

Construction Date

Constructed from 1900

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 17 Feb 1998 Category 2/1

Statement of Significance

The former Police Station and Magistrate's House, together with the old Lock-up and Troopers Barracks, fornran historic precinct that contributes to the aesthetic qualities of the landscape. The place clearly demonstrates the way of maintaining law and order that developed during the time.

Physical Description

Hie old Police Station and Magistrate's Houses addresses Gwalia Street. The site comprises former troopers' Barracks, Lock-up and stables, which are at the rear of the property. The building is constructed in a domestic style and scale although, substantial in size in comparison with other residential buildings constructed in Leonora at the time. The building has a hipped roof with vented gablets, metal roof vents, a painted corbelled brick chimney, and extended battened eaves. The roof extends to cover a raised timber verandah that stretches across the front elevation. The verandah roof is supported by square timber posts and, retains match boarding to the spandrels. Window openings are double-hung sashes divided into four panes, and some casement sashes. The building was divided into two sections for police facilities and living quarters. French doors off the verandah lead into the offices in the northern section of the building. The building has a central passage and to the right are two offices. A wide opening now links the two offices which is used as a living room. To the left of the passage are two bedrooms serviced by a double fireplace, and a kitchen behind at the southern end. behind the offices are bathroom facilities at the northern end of the building. A verandah which links the kitchen and bathroom has recently been enclosed. The interior retains timber floors and all walls are lined. At the rear of the property is an outbuilding that was originally uses as stables, now used as a garage and workshop. This outbuilding has two adjoining structures with skillion roofs that are timber framed and cgi clad, the smaller structure, originally the tack room, retains much of the original building fabric. The larger structure, originally the stables, retains much of the original fabric including a feed box. Some roof timbers have been replaced and lighting has been installed. The original layout of the place is still evident and retains a high degree of integrity.

History

As Leonora prospered agitation for police presence grew during 1899. Constable Uniacke was assigned to Leonora and a camp was erected but in February 1899 a fierce storm blew the entire camp away. In June 1899 the first sitting of the Leonora Police Court was held with Mr H. James presiding. The location of this temporary court is unknown but in September of that year a petition was sent to the state government to establish a court and a mining registrars office. In late 1899 contracts were let for the lock-up, police quarters and stables. The original quarters were attached to the lock-up and consisted of two rooms and a kitchen. These were completed in May 1900 by M. Mackesy for a cost of £342. The Stables were completed in March 1900 for a fee of £170 and consisted of stabling for three horses and a harness and feed room. It is worth noting that the Leonora Court House was completed in December 1902 along with further additions to the Police Station.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High AUTHENTICITY: High

Condition

Good

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
Hillson Beasley (Residence and changes to Station) Architect 1911 -

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
V&P 1903-04, 'Annual Report of the Public Works Department1, p. 60. 1903/1904
Malcolm Chronicle and Leonora Advertiser 24 June, 1899
V&P 1900 Vol. 2, 'Estimates of Expenditure of 1901', pp. 73-74. 1901
V&P 1899 Vol. 3, 'Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June 1900' 30/06/1900
V&P 1907 'Annual Report .of the Public Works Department', p. 49.
Malcolm Chronicle and Leonora Advertiser 23 September 1899.
Malcolm Chronicle and Leonora Advertiser, 28 February, 1899
V&P 1900 Vol. 2, 'Public Works Department Annual Report for year 1899/1900', pp. 75, 86 and 155. 30/06/1900

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use RESIDENTIAL Single storey residence
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Police Station or Quarters

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Mining {incl. mineral processing}

Creation Date

16 May 2012

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

31 Dec 2016

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.