Williamstown Beach Railway Station
Railway Crescent and Railway Place WILLIAMSTOWN, Hobsons Bay City
Hobsons Bay Railways Heritage Precinct
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Statement of Significance
Williamstown Beach Railway Station complex, comprising the bluestone-faced platforms constructed c.1889 and the station buildings designed by the Victorian Railways and constructed by FE Shillabeer in 1900, at Railway Crescent and Railway Place, Williamstown.
How is it Significant?Williamstown Beach Railway Station is of local historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay.
Why is it Significant?Historically, it illustrates the development of Williamstown and its increasing popularity as a holiday destination in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It also demonstrates how railway stations influenced the development of surrounding residential and commercial areas in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (AHC criteria A4 and D2)
Aesthetically, it is the only example in the city of the 'Footscray' style as identified by Ward and is distinguished by its unique detailing, which sets it apart from others within this group. It contributes to the historic character of the Melbourne to Williamstown Railway precinct, as well as to the Government Survey precinct. (AHC criteria B2, E1 and F1)
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Williamstown Beach Railway Station - Physical Description 1
Williamstown Beach Station is one of a group of similarly styled station buildings erected by the Victorian Railways during the first decade of the twentieth century, which Ward and Donnelly (1982) refer to as the "Footscray" style and describe as follows:
This small group features details common to the Woodend Style with which the Department saw out the Nineteenth century. They include similar cantilever verandahs, basalt quoining and banding, achieved by means of red and blackened red bricks in the nineteenth century and by cement render in the twentieth. This group was designed for use in the metropolitan area, at Footscray, Williamstown Beach, Jolimont, West Richmond and Sandringham. With the exception of the Down platform building at Footscray, built in 1907 to harmonise with the existing complex, this group was built during the first two years of the twentieth century.
Although plan forms vary, its characteristic details are as follows:
- Cement render banding at mid-window level, eaves level and across window heads.
- Bluestone quoining to doorways, bluestone window sills and plinths, and
- Pediment motifs to parapet walls around toilets.
They are complemented by red brick walls and slate roofs.
Each building borrows further classical details in the form of pilasters with simple capitals. At Williamstown Beach they stand either side of the main entrance and appear to support a pediment above. The most lavish display of decoration, for its own sake, however, graces the main facade to the platforms 2 and 3 buildings at Footscray. It has a classical theme ..
Williamstown Beach Station appears to retain most of the features described by Ward. It also includes bluestone facing to the platforms, which date from the construction of the original station in 1889.
Williamstown Beach Railway Station - Integrity
External Integrity and condition
Integrity - High. Condition - Good.
Williamstown Beach Railway Station - Physical Description 2
Context
Contributes to the Williamstown Railway precinct as one of four early twentieth century stations along the route.
Williamstown Beach Railway Station - Historical Australian Themes
Moving people
Williamstown Beach Railway Station - Physical Description 3
Associations
Victorian Railways, FE Shillabeer
Heritage Study and Grading
Hobsons Bay - Hobsons Bay Heritage Study
Author: Hobsons Bay City Council
Year: 2006
Grading:
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WILLIAMSTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1639
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RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0487
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ST HELLIERSVictorian Heritage Register H0560
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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