Former Pleasant Creek Court House, 46-48 Longfield Street, STAWELL
46-48 Longfield Street STAWELL, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The former Pleasant Creek Court House, 46-48 Longfield Street, Stawell, forms part of a coherent group of government, civic and community buildings that have significance for their close associations with the foundation of the town. This building (also known as the former Pleasant Creek Court House), built in 1860, is the best and most intact example of four identically planned court houses in the Victorian Free Classical style with projected entry and gable roof.
The former Pleasant Creek Court House is architecturally significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates in an outstanding way many original design qualities of the Victorian Free Classical style. These qualities include the slate gable roof, projecting front porch (with distinctive archway and piers) and central court room flanked by offices and ancillary rooms. Other intact qualities include the unpainted red brick wall construction, moderate eaves, granite foundations, timber framed double hung windows, rendered brick and corbelled chimneys and the overall spatial layout. The mature peppercorn trees also contribute to the significance of the place.
The former Pleasant Creek Court House is historically significant at a STATE level. It is associated with the establishment and development of the Pleasant Creek (later Stawell) Court between 1858 and 1877-78. The building was used as a court house for only 18 years before the shift of population resulted in its closure in early 1878 and the subsequent erection of another court house at Stawell East in 1880. The building is also important in the history of police administration in Victoria, as after the removal of the court to Stawell East, it was used as a Mounted Constable's quarters during the period when Stawell was the headquarters of the Wimmera Police District.
The former Pleasant Creek Court House is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued by the Stawell community for its past use as a Court House.
Overall, the former Pleasant Creek Court House is of STATE significance.
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Former Pleasant Creek Court House, 46-48 Longfield Street, STAWELL - Physical Description 1
The former Pleasant Creek Court House forms part of a significant group of Government, civic and community buildings located in Longfield, Leslie and Griffith Streets. The building has a modest setback from the street comprising open grassed areas, flagpole and mature peppercorn trees. The former Court House is a small, red brick Victorian Free Classical building with a slate gable roof, projecting front porch (with a distinctive archway supported by red brick piers) and a centrally located court room flanked by offices and ancillary rooms. The building has granite foundations and the early windows are constructed of timber frames and are double hung. Moderate overhangs are a feature of the eaves, while four rendered brick and corbelled chimneys adorn the roofline.
The Court House is substantially intact, retaining most of its external fabric and the overall layout of rooms and form. The building is in reasonable condition having been thoroughly restored in the 1980s when residential accretions were removed, a verandah from the rear was demolished (possibly original), and the building has been painted and carpeted throughout. The plaster soffit ceiling is thought to be a later addition. A steel gate in the front porch has also been recently added. The court room includes a small public gallery at the rear of the court room, none of the original court room furniture is retained.
Heritage Study and Grading
Northern Grampians - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study
Author: Wendy Jacobs, Vicki Johnson, David Rowe, Phil Taylor
Year: 2004
Grading: State
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FORMER LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTEVictorian Heritage Register H0531
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FORMER POLICE SUPERINTENDENT'S RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0986
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FORMER PLEASANT CREEK COURT HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0998
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