THE FORMER SUPREME COURT BUILDING
196 MYERS STREET GEELONG, GREATER GEELONG CITY
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Statement of Significance
Potential for sub-surface remains - foundations as site has not had intrusive subsequent use and is currently surfaced as a carpark.
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THE FORMER SUPREME COURT BUILDING - History
The Supreme Court was erected on a strip of land between the gaol and military barracks, Myers Street Geelong in c1860 to a design by JJ Clark at a cost of ₤8663. It was a two-storey Barrabool freestone building fronting Myers Street. Alterations were undertaken in 1877 to the design of J Clark. The Barrabool freestone has severely deteriorated and the building was in a poor state. A house was constructed at the rear of the Supreme Court for the commissioner or clerk of courts. All court business was transferred to the Myers Street Supreme Court by 1924. During the late 1930s the Gheringhap Street court complex had been substantially altered and the Supreme Court was demolished in 1940.
The residence and outbuildings appear to have been demolished some time after. The former Supreme Court site was used as a prison garden for inmates and car-parking for gaol wardens. Having been sub-divided from the original crown allotment (Lot 22a Section 14) it was transferred to the Commonwealth in 1994 for defence training and a number of small sheds were erected. These were demolished and the site was partly gravel and partly rough ground in the mid 1990s but was completely sealed in asphalt in about 1997-8.
THE FORMER SUPREME COURT BUILDING - Interpretation of Site
Prior to the construction of the Supreme Court, the land was used (even before 1854) as a military barracks. The barracks, consisting of a number of buildings, were scattered across the western half of the gaol reserve. Possibly also quarters for married men in the police force and barracks for British soldiers. From 1898, the western section of the reserve had orderly rooms for the drilling of volunteers and regular soldiers. By 1901 the land became a Defence department property.
Heritage Inventory Description
THE FORMER SUPREME COURT BUILDING - Heritage Inventory Description
The Supreme Court building (1860-1940) was a two storey Barrabool freestone building (c25x25) fronting Myers Street Geelong (faced north). At the rear of the court building was a residence located close to Little Myers Street. Along a boundary fence with the Drill Hall (west fence) was located toilets and other outbuildings. The site has been demolished and covered with asphalt c1997-98.
If present as foundations, the key components of the site would be the courthouse, the residence on little myers street, and the outbuildings along the western fenceline. It is also possible that some evidence of a walled passage which existed between the gaol and the courthouse for secure transfer of prisoners may be present. The gaol section still exists.
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FORMER GEELONG WOOL EXCHANGEVictorian Heritage Register H0622
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FORMER SCOTTISH CHIEFS HOTELVictorian Heritage Register H0662
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CORIO VILLAVictorian Heritage Register H0193
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