Former Bank Of New South Wales - Castlemaine Historic Area
149 - 151 Barker Street,, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 - Property No B1974
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Statement of Significance
The Bank of New South Wales, 149-151 Barker Street, Castlemaine, was constructed to the design of architect Leonard Terry in 1866 to replace an earlier (1855) building on the site. Two storied and symmetrical in arrangement, the stuccoed structure is in five bays, with doors at either end and round-headed openings and impost mouldings at ground level. Features include wave mouldings, string course, cornice with dentils, hoods and wrought-iron fence .
The Bank of New South Wales is an important element in the historic townscape of Castlemaine, forming part of a notable streetscape. It has strong associations with the gold-mining origins of the area and is of architectural consequence. Conservative Classical Revival in style, the bank is important as an intact example of this much used idiom of architect Leonard Terry. The wave moulding is rare.
The Bank of New South Wales is in good condition, intact externally and reasonably intact internally.
Classified: 28/07/1966
Part of Castlemaine Historic Area B4894
Castlemaine grew as a result of the discovery of gold along Forest Creek in July, 1851. By December of that year the population on the field was greater than that of Melbourne. In 1852 Mr Templeton surveyed the township of Castlemaine and in 1853 the first auction of the town site was held.
The Castlemaine goldfield was allegedly the richest alluvial goldfield in the world. Such was the prosperity of the diggers that the townsfolk were optimistically expectant of Castlemaine becoming Victoria's second city. The prosperity and optimism is reflected in the high number of imposing buildings erected in the first few years of the town's life. However, the rich alluvial diggings were worked out within 15-20 years. From the 1870's the town's population began to drift away, but they left behind a rich legacy of the town's former prosperity in the form of its buildings.
Within the Castlemaine Historic Area may be found many items of significance. These range from intact nineteenth century streetscapes composed of imposing public buildings to simple miners' cottages. Within the historic area there are a number of identifiable component areas, each telling an important part of the history of Castlemaine. In addition, there are many other sites of significance outside of these areas, but still within the Historic Area. These include the former steam flourmill, the Church of England, the Congregational Church and Forest and Barkers Creeks.
Despite the town's topographical confinements to the valley of the two creeks, the wide streets and large buildings convey an atmosphere of grand spaciousness in this central Victorian goldfields town.
Group Classified: 01/12/1982
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FLOUR MILLVictorian Heritage Register H0395
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BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALESVictorian Heritage Register H0131
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FORMER CBC BANKVictorian Heritage Register H0712
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