GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, WELLINGTON STREET

GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

 After her husband's death Henry Reed's widow, Margaret built the larger church on the Wellington Street site next door to Parr's hotel, as a memorial to her husband, and to ensure his evangelical work in the community continued.

The foundation stone of the Gateway Baptist Church was laid on 20 July 1883. A bible, placed in a copper cylinder was buried underneath. The architect was Frank Tyson, and the building contractor John Todd Farmilo. Walter Hiddlestone came from Melbourne after Henry reed's death and was pastor at the time of the opening of the new church, in July 1885.

An article published in 1929, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the mission, claimed that prior to the first world war, as many as 1400 people attended services. Whilst such large congregations rarely assemble today, regular services are still held at the church, which continues to address the needs of the local Launceston community within a modern multicultural world, and Henry Reed's legacy remains alive.

Thanks again to Lee for the brilliant picture of the church in its early days.

HISTORIC VIEW OF WELLINGTON STREET

THE CHRISTIAN MISSION CHURCH - 22 WELLINGTON STREET

BAPTIST CHURCH HALL, WELLINGTON STREET

Henry Reed, an early free settler, whaler, merchant and businessman, was a keen evangelist. (See the entry re: Macquarie House see last week's post) about the health of his horses and used his stables in town, however the story of how the discussion began regarding his buying his Wellington Street hotel involves one of his horses, being exercised by one of his grooms near Reed's house at Mt Pleasant (Prospect), which was spooked by a pig, and bolted, all the way to town. When it was brought under control, it was stabled at Parr's, and it was whilst Henry Reed was retrieving the animal, that the conversation leading to his purchase of the buildings including a skittle alley which adjoined the hotel ( a common addition to hotels of the time), is said to have taken place.

Initial mission work, beginning in 1876, was conducted from the skittle alley (which was described in one account as “an old shed”), but when this proved too small, plans were made to construct the Christian Mission Church, which is currently used as the Baptist hall, on the site. Whilst the church was being built, the stables (see last week's post) were refurbished and used for worship. 

The building had facilities for Sunday School upstairs and a large kitchen for practical ministry to the needs of the poor.  The main chapel was of similar design to a room in Henry Reed's home at Mt Pleasant.  It was opened on June 6th 1880, a few months before his death in October of that year.

 It was not long, however, before even the new church (which could seat 300), despite the addition of an outdoor pavilion, proved too small, for the needs of the growing church and plans were made for a larger building.

Note: Despite the interesting light and shadows, this is a fairly average photo – I'll try to replace it with a better one at some stage in the not too distant future.

STABLES - 22 WELLINGTON STREET

STABLES ON BAPTIST CHURCH SITE, WELLINGTON STREET

In the late 1850s Henry Davy Parr took over the Royal Hotel at 22 Wellington Street (currently the Baptist Church Offices – see last week's post). 

 He is reputed to have spent some two thousand pounds developing the site, building stables in 1857, and making other improvements, and the establishment became known as “Parr's Family Hotel”.

Henry Davey Parr was a remarkable man. His obituary, published in The Examiner on 01 February 1878, is well worth reading. It omits to mention Parr's passage to Tasmania (compliments of the British government – he arrived as a convict in 1833). Apart from “publican” Parr was variously a farmer (at Westbury), veterinarian, horsebreeder and trainer, owner of the Mowbray racetrack, and proponent of a (sadly) ineffective cure for cancer!! He seems to have been well-respected and liked, renowned for his “smiling countenance.” Prior to the Royal, Parr was licensee of the Australian and Tasmanian Hotel, the Queen's Head Hotel (also in Wellingon Street), and afterwards, the Post Office Hotel, and Temperance Hotels in Paterson street.

Parr's hotels were not favoured by dedicated drinkers and were thus known as a comfortable and safe place to stay. This was particularly notable at a time when many of the residents of Wellington Street were said to be too scared to venture out after dark!

Parr continued to operate the hotel until the 1870s when it was purchased by Henry Reed who was keen to establish an evangelical mission to the people of Launceston. More next time........

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OFFICES - 22 WELLINGTON STREET

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OFFICE TODAY

This is the first of four postings about a remarkable set of buildings located at Wellington Street Launceston.

Before it became the Baptist Church Office, the building at 22 Wellington Street, between the Church and Regal Press was initially a house, but for many years after that operated as a hotel.

I haven't been able to find out who undertook the initial construction or when it occurred, but an article in the Cornwall Chronicle of September 26^th 1846 makes mention of Benjamin Hyrons building a “substantial and lasting structure” in the vicinity of Charles and Wellington street so it seems probable that he may have been responsible, especially as when the house was converted to an inn in 1851, Hyrons was granted a license to operate the business under the name of “The Royal Hotel”.

An interesting biography of Hyron, an ex-convict who established an extensive business network in early Tasmania, and whose broad interests included many inns in both the north and south of the state, as well as early transport and mail services can be found at http://innshumpagegoodegreenwell.familytreeguide.com. Benjamin Hyron's enterprises, included stagecoaches which left from the Royal Hotel immediately after steamers from Port Phillip arrived in port. He offered to deliver his passengers to Hobart within twelve hours.

In 1853, the hotel was advertised for sale, as was Hyron's brewery which was probably also located on the site. According to QVMAG's informative article about Launceston's industrial heritage, Hyron offered “the best ale in Launceston” for sixpence a quart if customers brought their own vessels.

Other proprietors followed Hyrons, but the next licensee of note was Henry Davey Parr, who developed the site further, and added the stables – the second oldest structure on the site. More about him next posting....

Note: Its been very hard to get a photo of this building without it being obscured by vehicles, even in early morning semi-darkness! Then there are telegraph poles obscuring the front, wires everywhere etc etc etc. I have had a bit of a go at doing something presentable, but fortunately the lovely Lee, who has had a long association with the Baptist Church not only provided lots of useful information to use in this series, but also some photos taken during the early days of the church, which give a much better view of the building.

AN EARLY PICTURE OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDING AND NEW CHURCH

POST OFFICE CLOCK - 68 CAMERON STREET

The clock on the Post Office celebrated its 100^th birthday in 2010. 

It was installed some 17 years after the post office, at a cost of 1300 pounds, after a campaign of public fund raising. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, there was a real desire to have the clock manufactured in Australia but it was not economically viable to do so, and it was made by Gillett and Johnson in England. An official unveiling ceremony was conducted in July 1910, and a “toast was heartily drunk.” A plaque was provided by the building firm J & T Gunn which read: Launceston Centenary Clock and Chimes 1806 – 1906. Erected by public subscription in the reign of Kind Edward VII to commemorate the first centenary of the City of Launceston in Tasmania.”

The clock has been a landmark of Launceston ever since. I remember trips to the city when I was a child and the sound of the clock was second only to the wonders of the Myer escalators in my inventory of “the wonders of the big city.” There was some fierce debate around 2011 as to whether the clocks chimes are “too loud,” and should be silenced at night. You can read an opinion in the negative at http://tasratepayers.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/launceston-post-office-clock-to-silence_09.html. I have to confess that I don't know whether or not the clock is still keeping tourists awake at night but I can vouch for the fact it still chimes during the day – I'm the figure scurrying across Wellington Street trying to get back to work before it strikes one!!

CIVIC SQUARE - MACQUARIE HOUSE

Macquarie House - Civic Square

Macquarie House at 92 -94 Cameron Street was built by John Sprunt (who also built the Red Feather Inn at Hadspen), for Henry Reed in 1829 - 30, which makes it one of Launceston's oldest buildings. The four-level sandstone brick building, constructed on a bluestone base, is on the register of the National Estate, once had a shingle roof, and has has been used in a variety of ways since its construction as a warehouse.

Henry Reed is most often described as “a merchant” when mentioned in association with Macquarie House. This understates the importance of a remarkable man who was also variously a whaler and sealer, a trader, politician, a pioneer of the European settlement of Victoria, a landowner and developer, bank director, a church mission worker, and philanthropist. There are numerous on-line and printed references available but the Australian Dictionary of Biography is a good starting point if you would like to know more about Henry Reed. (http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/reed-henry-2582). A free settler, Reed arrived in Hobart Town in 1827 and (from a Northerner's perspective) made the wise choice to immediately relocate to Launceston, a move he accomplished by walking the entire distance.

Stores from Macquarie House were integral to the success of the first settlement of Melbourne, and provided essential supplies to the people of Launceston. It was also, for a time but despite its great historic significance, by the 1970s, demolition was seriously considered. Fortunately this did not go ahead, and the building's current appearance is the result of a makeover in 1982. Its previous facade dated to the 1930s. A photo taken before the renovation, when it was occupied by Eliza Tinsley, (a supplier of rope, chain and various building products), can be seen at https://www.historypin.org/channels/view/46230/#map/index/#!/geo:41.436115,147.13618/zoom:20/dialog:152123/tab:details/ I can remember dining out at a restaurant located on the bottom floor in the 1980s. Maacquarie House was used for a time by the museum, and is still owned by the Launceston City Council - motion to sell it was defeated in 2013. There is currently a proposal to reshape Macquarie House into an :Innovation Hub. (Details can be seen at http://catalyst-project.com.au/macquarie-house/).


Clearly there is a great deal of history missing in this account. Charles Woolley and Michael Tatlow in A Walk in Old Launceston for instance say that in the 1840s the building was a barrack for the military – I can't find any other reference to this. Beverley Heathcote in A Walk Through Launceston's History, however, does mention that before the warehouse was built “a pipe band would stand on this site just before sundown and, dressed in their bright red coats, white trousers and shining black jack-boots would play the tattoo.” If I come across any more information I'll add it. In the meantime if anyone can suggest any references.......

POSTCARD OF BRISBANE STREET

BRISBANE STREET 1950s

 When a friend showed me this postcard of Brisbane Street from George Street, it was easy to know what I'd be doing in the lunch break!

As it was a tad busy I couldn't really stand in the middle of the road to get the same shot but there is enough of the location to play "what's changed".  I'll start you off....two way traffic, a mall at the end of the block, the Myers building, traffic lights, clothing styles, car and truck models, lighting .......and so on...........

BRISBANE STREET 2014

The ANZ bank now stands on the site that was then Findlays.  The latter moved to the site (known then as Bungey's corner after the clothing store that occupied the premises) in 1925.  From their newspaper advertising, it seems that Findlays sold pianos, sheet music, gramaphones and records, radios, hearing aids and (somewhat surprisingly) sewing machines!
The firm was founded by Percy Findlay (a photo and brief biography can be found on the Launceston Family Album site), and had branches throughout the state.

The real surprise for me regarding the John Sands postcard, however, was the photographer - Frank Hurley.  Although I had been aware that this renowned Antarctic, Pacific and war photographer, and pioneer film maker, began his career in postcards, I did not expect that he would have been doing the same towards the end of his life, and in Launceston too!  (I don't know why I felt this way - its a perfectly reasonable thing for a photographer to be doing, especially one aged in his seventies! ).

There is a great deal of information about Frank Hurley available on-line, as well as the opportunity to view many of his photographs.  There are also many books including Frank Hurley - A photographer's life by Alasdair McGregor.

The photo appears to have been taken in the 1950s.  Hurley died in 1962 so it was obviously before then.  Although its hard to see, it appears that the Myers building is not there - that was built in 1960. The cars and clothes would suggest perhaps the late fifties.

THE LIBRARY, CIVIC SQUARE

One of the ways I like to "explore" buildings is by playing around with my photo editing programmes - trying to preserve the character of the building whilst removing "distractions" - E.g. keeping the building lines, erasing the cabling etc  and sometimes deciding to do nothing at all as the photo says all it need to say.  Its a way of seeing and appreciating the little details.  But what to do about this building............Suffice to say I couldn't really find anything to appreciate about it and the best I could do was give it a bit of an early seventies colour makeover!!!
If you wish to be further depressed go to http://www.adfas.org.au/downloads/schools/Launceston%20Mechanics%20Institute.pdf and see what was there before!!!!  This is actually a great article about the history of the Mechanics Institute, (which was demolished to make way for this building in the early 1970s) and is well worth a look.

The real joy of this structure, is of course its contents - book and photos, historic collections and more plus lovely helpful people to help us find our way around the treasure trove of resources.  It is now part of LINC, but is almost universally referred to locally as "the library."  Further information is available on the LINC website.

THE PATERSON BRIDGE, WEST TAMAR HIGHWAY

THE PATERSON BRIDGE, WEST TAMAR HIGHWAY

I have a bit of a tendency to personify structures – insofar as one can feel a bit sorry for a bridge, I feel it for this one – the concrete bridge which is now part of the West Tamar Highway at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge . Talk about coming an unloved second – barely noticed, rarely acknowledged, and treated as a bit of a necessary embarrassment, standing beside its handsome historic older brother. Everyone writes about King's Bridge, which is indeed a beautiful structure (which will no doubt feature in the blog in the not too distant future), but have a tendency to call this one “the second bridge”, the “more modern bridge”, the “other bridge” etc., if indeed it's mentioned at all. Although I travel on it each day, I didn't know it had a name, but it is actually called “The Paterson Bridge", and I would guess that I'm not the only “local” who didn't know that!

The bridge was officially opened on 02 November 1972 by the Premier Eric Reece. It took a while to find, but there is a really interesting article at: http://www.stors.tas.gov.au/au-7-0112-00023_1

which tells you more than you could ever possibly need to know about the dimensions and structure of the bridge, and which includes a brilliant photo taken from above the two bridges, as well as construction pictures and plans.

Paterson Bridge is, perhaps not conventionally beautiful, but I love the sweeping line that frames the view in the photo, and always (in admittedly a rather Tasmanian way) feel like it's a sort of unofficial boundary - I'm either arriving in “town” or leaving it when I drive across.

37 GEORGE STREET

37 GEORGE STREET W C OLDHAM

The building pictured, on the corner of Cameron and George Street (37 George Street) As with a great many Launceston buildings, one has to look up to get the most interesting view. There's nothing remarkable about, it but it is attractive, and fairly typical of its time. It was built as a wholesale wine and spirits outlet, but, as The Examiner put it “although of modest of modest dimensions and unobtrusive appearance, it was the centre of a widespread business organisation.” Perhaps surprisingly, I can find no reference to the actual building (other than advertisements for its wares which varied from cigars to scotch and tea!), but I suspect we can trust that it was constructed around 1909 by W C Oldham!

When William Claude Oldham died in 1933,He had been chairman of the Launceston Public hospital board for many years. Prior to this he had stood for state parliament, and had been elected mayor of Launceston in December 1909. In the latter capacity, he had, among other things, formally opened the tramway in 1911, and the Princess Theatre in the same year. William Oldham was involved in a wide variety of Launceston concerns ranging from kindergartens to the Permanent Building Society. More about William Oldham can be found by looking at His obituary, published in The Examiner 12 June 1933 (available via TROVE).

32-36 William Street (Cnr, Esplanade and Shield Streets) TASMANIAN FLOUR MILLS

32 - 36 WILLIAM STREET - TASMANIAN FLOUR MILLS

Although the address Tasmanian Flour Mills in 32 – 36 William Street, this view is of the corner of Shields Street (also known as lower George Street) and the Esplanade. Most parts of the building date back to around 1908, but the earliest parts are from an 1860 warehouse on the site that pre-dated the mill. There is also architecture dating from the 1940s. (Someone more knowledgeable than me can probably identify which bits were built when!).

Still probably best known as “Monds and Affleck” the association with these early names (Thomas Wilkes Monds who founded the Albion Mill on the North Esk in 1865, and Affleck who built the crown mill in Cameron Street in 1897, after earlier ventures in Longford) began when the company formed in 1918 and ended in 1995, when it was sold and renamed Tasmanian Flour Mills. A more complete account of the development and ownership of the mill can be found at http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/upfiles/qvmag/imglib/collections/CHS68%20Tasmanian%20Flour%20Mills%20Pty%20Ltd.pdf.

If you look up The Examiner of Saturday 10 September 1927 on TROVE you will find a photograph of the buildings at that time, as well as an article that is very much of its time (to quote: “the age of flapperdom”).

Thomas Affleck migrated to Tasmania in 1860 When he died in 1898, The Examiner noted that the funeral procession stretched on for almost a mile, and was the largest local funeral ever seen. He was buried in a coffin of Huon Pine.  

Thomas Wilkes Monds was born in Tasmania in 1829. A picture, and more information about him can be seen on the “Launceston Family Album” site (http://www.launcestonfamilyalbum.org.au/) which has photographs, and details of people who visited the Tasmanian Exhibition of 1891-2.

The mill he owned at Carrick remains one of the most noteable buildings in that town. The Monds family played an important role in the civic life of the north of the state, and additional information is readily available on-line.

CALEDONIAN PARK, INVERMAY ROAD

CALEDONIAN SQUARE, INVERMAY ROAD.

I've often wondered whether or not there is as story behind this little plot of vacant land on Invermay Road (about number 74, I'm guessing), which is rather grandly signposted as “Caledonian Square”. Unfortunately the answer is....not really....at least not a particularly fascinating one, but a quick search of Examiner articles (via TROVE) yielded a little more information. The land was surveyed and given to the Invermay Town Board by the State Government in 1896. Trees were planted and a picket fence built, and over the years the square was used for a children's playground, band concerts and the odd political meeting. A bandstand was erected in 1946, using materials from the old bandstand in Royal Park, but it is no longer there.

As a park, Caledonian Square never really developed to its potential. Even in the early days there were complaints about blackberries and long grass (replaced today with complaints about oak leaves clogging the drains). The picket fence was replaced with rocks in the twenties. In 1923, a councillor asked for more police supervision as it was a place where boys congregated at night. In 1931 the Examiner reported that “ At a meeting of the Invermay and Inveresk Progress Association last night, mention was made of the repulsive condition of the shelter shed at Caledonian Square and the uses to which it was put. A suggestion was made that the front of the building be open for its whole length, so that the Interior was plainly visible from the street.” (I'm not sure if more information would have been a good or bad thing here!)

The council had to fill in a paddling pool on the site in 1936 due to misuse by “hooligans.” Some of the old trees were poisoned by a vandal in the 1950s. As there was a tramstop nearby, the square became a convenient shortcut rather than a place to sit. Sadly, for those of us who like a good story, there are no real mysteries evident, apart from whether it is Caledonia Square (as appears in some newspaper articles and recent Launceston City Council minutes) or Caledonian Square (as is written on the sign), and why there are no seats!!

The upside of all this, of course, is that as you can see, despite the rather average photography, how neat the square looks (not a blackberry in sight), and how pretty the autumn foliage is on the few remaining trees. Perhaps some places just take longer than others to come into their own.

ROSE LANE CONVICT CEMETERY, GLEN DHU

SIGN ON WESTBURY RD

Around 2010-2011 there seemed to be a great deal of activity around the convict cemetery in Rose Lane, South Launceston. The National Trust was involved, children from Glen Dhu school made commemorative tiles (unfortunately some are already worn and broken) and a small sign was placed on Westbury Road. I'm having some difficulty finding out what has happened since.

There may be more burials there than the size of the cemetery, which existed as such between 1846 and 1874, might suggest, as it has been claimed that bodies were interred 5 or 6 deep at each gravesite, and that Rose Lane may be the final resting place for around 320 people.

Memorial Tiles

I'd venture to suggest that most people who live in Launceston remain unaware of the cemetery's existence, and in honesty there's not much to see, if “seeing” rather than “being” is your thing. There is a low walled circle of stones, and some arrows marked on the ground, but there is no sign at the actual entrance, nor anything to say what the arrows mean, and no information about the overall significance of the burial ground. The children's tiles record the names, and other information about some of the people known to be buried there. It is tremendously sad to think that having survived a long and dangerous sea voyage, they died alone in a strange and distant land, away from families and friends.

SITE OF ROSE LANE CONVICT CEMETERY

34 BOURKE STREET - Electricity and Explosives

OLD POWDER MAGAZINE SITE AND ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION STATION

There are two ways of going about this blog. One is the sensible way, which is to find out a great deal of existing interesting information about a building and then take a picture of it, and the other way, which is to wander past and, think “Oh this looks interesting,” take a picture and then try to find out what it is and how it came to be. As you have probably gathered by now, my posts generally fall into the latter category.

This week's building is a case in point. We were walking down Margaret Street, and decided to wander up Canning Street. Just around the corner in Bourke Street was an unusual brick building set in a long empty block. I guessed “church”, but I was wrong. The QVMAG's indispensable paper on Launceston's Industrial Heritage tells us that it was, in fact an electricity distribution station, designed by C. St John David, and built by J&T Gunn in 1894. It also mentions that it once had a tower which has since been removed.A newspaper report from 1940 talks of the construction of a new sub-station in Bourke Street but doesn't give any more details so I'm not sure what relationship (if any) it has to this building. It is now on the Heritage Register as “a house” so presumably some redevelopment has been undertaken.

The building is described in the Heritage Council Annual Report of 2009-10 as “Powder Magazine Site and Former Electricity Distributing Station.” was one of 58 additions to the permanent Heritage Register in that year. Gunpowder and other explosives were usually stored in government-owned facilities away from houses for obvious reasons. Presumably the expanding town necessitated the move. Even in the 1850s, there were issues with the location of the magazine. The Examiner of 12 March 1858 referred to “that dangerous old magazine on Cateract Hill.” The newspapers of the time were full of reports of powder magazines exploding at various locations within Australia and elsewhere, so obviously no one was keen to have one on their doorstep.

The original powder magazine was closed in the 1870s, and moved to a location in Henry Street. (More information about the new storage site can be found at

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=101047

I'm aware that this is a bit disjointed and am very conscious that there is more to be told – once again I can either not post this because I'm not happy with it or go with it in the hope that someone who can fill in more information about this building's history might like to comment. I'm also having a bit of trouble finding the newer powder magazine site....I suspect I've seen it but not recognised it for what it is.....any suggestions?

251 INVERMAY ROAD - ST FINN BARRS

ST FINN BARRS INVERMAY

The original St Finn Barr's school, established by the Presentation Sisters in 1893 was at the corner of Forster and Holbrook Street, Invermay. It was destroyed by a fire which occurred shortly before 2 am on 25^th March 1925. The blaze was so intense, that according to newspaper accounts of the time “every house on Trevallyn stood out as if in daytime.” This was just one of many unexplained fires that occurred around this time, including several houses and a furniture factory. Some 15 months after the St Finn Barr's fire, the drill hall being leased as a temporary replacement, was damaged by another blaze. The Examiner reported that local residents feared a “fire maniac” was at large.

Funds were quickly raised for the new school, at 247 - 251 Invermay Road, which was consecrated by Bishop Dr W Barry in May 1927. The building, described by the Examiner as “Romanesque”, and by the National Heritage data base as “Inter War Free Classical Style” cost ₤7 000. Speakers complained “bitterly” that despite not making any contribution to the building, the land upon which the school was built was to be taxed by the state government “so that the mud could be taken out of the Tamar.” The architect was “Mr Tandy” and the builders “Messrs Munro and Quinn.”

The Presentation Sisters continued to be involved in the operation of the school until 1993.

(A very readable account of the history of The Presentation Sisters in Australia can be found at http://presentationsociety.org.au/about/our-history/ - its worth noting that this article mentions that the first school established by the order in the southern hemisphere was in Richmond, Tasmania in 1866.)

Additional details (particularly in relation to the building's architecture), as well as a more conventional photo can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=100199.   

60 WILLIAM STREET - GLASGOW ENGINEERING

GLASGOW ENGINEERING - 60 WILLIAM STREET

Glasgow Engineering is one of the longest operating engineering firms in Australia. Originally called Tamar Foundry, it has been operating in William Street since 1892, although the facade we see today is believed to date from around 1900. The company, which has played a fascinating role in the industrial heritage of Launceston has a well written history on its website, including photographs, so if you would like to know more, go to http://www.glasgowengineering.com.au/ and look under “Company Profile.”

Check out the photo of a bullock team and steam engine towing a boiler made by the foundry at the State Library: http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/item/?q=launceston&avail=Online&format=Images+%5c+Photograph&i=78&id=LPIC147-1-380#urls

CLARENDON

CLARENDON

Clarendon was built by grazier and politician James Cox in 1838, and is one of the best known of the Tasmanian National Trust Properties. The folks who maintain the building and grounds have done a terrific job but clearly need more finances, especially to fix a leaky roof! If you haven't been, I'd recommend a visit, although be aware that according to the Trust's website the house is closed in July and August. Clarendon is an easy 27km drive from Launceston, (well this blog is called Look Around Launceston) and if you go on a Sunday you can always stop at Evandale for the market and morning tea.

There is so much information available about James Cox and indeed Clarendon and I don't have any great new insights to add, so.......if you'd like to know more see:

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cox-james-1931 (Australian Dictionary of Biography)

or just Google “James Cox Clarendon”.

As there are many photos of the front of the house already on-line, the one you see here is of the back!!

127 WELLINGTON STREET

 127 Wellington Street has never drawn my attention before, although I must have driven past it thousands of times. It was only when I walked by, for the first time, that I noticed some rather attractive “doodaderry” (as pictured) and decided to find out more.

This little building, which today houses an interior design business, has been on the heritage register of the national estate since 1978. According to the Heritage Database Site, it was constructed in the 1840s as a house, and had a shopfront added at a later date, along with various other modifications.

The first reference I could find in the newspapers (via TROVE) was 1894, when James Thomas, of this address was accused of stealing some chooks and a couple of stringy bark posts from his neighbour. The same year an advertisement was place seeking “a young lady to teach sewing,”but the nineteenth century otherwise remains a bit of a mystery. It is not surprising, as street numbers were not usually given until around 1892.

The property has a number of mentions in twentieth century newspapers, the saddest being a report about little Francis McCullagh who died in 1927 when the woodpile he was playing on, collapsed.

I don't know when the shop was added to the main building, but it existed in 1928 when the premises what known as “ The Leading Butchery.” In 1903, someone from this address advertised for the return of a lost sheep and lamb, so probably it was a butchery then too.

In 1930, two youths responsible for a series of robberies in Launceston, were recaptured at this location, the home of Elizabeth Jordan, after they had escaped from the lock-up. The youth's crime spree is recounted in The Mercury of 25 October The two young men claimed that they were encouraged in their endeavours by Elizabeth.

The building underwent a change of usage when 1937 Walter Gillam opened a home for old men at 127 Wellington Street.

In 1976, the building became the Commercial Traveller's Club. The club closed in 1988.(For more information about the Commercial Traveller's Association see http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/upfiles/qvmag/imglib/collections/CHS56%20Commercial%20Travellers'%20Association%20of%20Tasmania%20(CTA).pdf ).

127 Welllington Street has since been occupied by an electrical repair shop, and as mentioned at the beginning, an interior designer.

There are clearly many missing details in this account. A peek in Post Office Directories, phone books and so on would no doubt fill in many of the gaps. I haven't done this as....well.... to be honest, I'm not really that interested (I will no doubt soon find out that I've missed some truly earth-shattering historic event which occurred on the premises because I didn't bother to find out more!). Hopefully the information I have included gives some insight into how a single building can have many uses over time and illustrates that each of Launceston's “less grand” older city buildings can provide an insight into the story of small business that is often overlooked, but which is a vital part of the commercial history of Launceston.

217B INVERMAY ROAD, THE STAR THEATRE

THE STAR THEATRE, INVERMAY ROAD

And yes.....I do requests.......When I asked Marvin (my husband, and not his real name) which building he thought I should look at next, he nominated the Star Theatre without hesitation. This lovely building is in a highly visible spot on a major road, and yet is easy to simply drive past without fully appreciating its beauty.

According to a report in The Examiner , when the theatre opened in Invermay on October 05^th 1937, hundreds gathered outside to admire the neon lighting. It was also truly impressive inside. (Take a look at the description in The Examiner of 01 October 1937 via TROVE!) There were 250 velvet upholstered lounge chairs in “the circle” and 650 rubber cushioned seats in the stalls, and the lighting was provided by amber globes.

The Star was Launceston's first suburban theatre. Guy Crick (from Sydney) was the architect (“in association with Mr A Harold Masters of Launceston”), but the building work was undertaken by local firm J and T Gunn. The design is “a mixture of interwar functionalist and art deco style”...and if you want to know what that means, consult the building's description on the Australian Heritage database

(http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=100071

Alderman Hollingsworth undertook the ceremonial opening, saying that “the management had assured him that a very careful watch would be kept, and that nothing harmful to the youth of the district would be screened.” We are left to ponder what would have been deemed “harmful” but evidently the opening films Roberta (with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) and The Plot Thickens were judged to be acceptable.

The theatre had a revolving star, which was turned on at 7 o'clock each night, and people would dress in their Sunday best, and book regular seats. The demise of the theatre was attributed to competition from television and the drive-in. (Examiner 27^th July 1999)

The theatre closed on July 26^th 1969. The last movie shown was The Green Berets. The building was purchased by the St Vincent de Paul Society in 1971, and is still occupied by them today.

CORNER OF WELLINGTON STREET AND YORK STREET

CORNER OF WELLINGTON AND YORK STREET

A visitor to Launceston asked whether or not the Jailhouse Grill was ever a jail. “Oh no”, I replied, then “well.......I don't think so......actually I'll find out!”

My first instincts were right – the Grill's own website helpfully provided the information that in was built as a pub, The Prince of Wales, in the mid 1800s, from bricks made locally by convicts, and had subsequently operated as such albeit under other names – The Richmond Hotel, Barnaby's Hotel and the Ball and Chain Grill. (www.jailhousegrill.com.au/about.htm).

Its a little confusing tracking the building via early newspapers as there was a second “Prince of Wales” at Evandale, and its not always clear to which establishment articles refer. There also seems to have been another hotel called the Dolphin, located on the corner of Wellington and York Streets during the 1840s. It is also worth mentioning that the building formerly known as the Courthouse Hotel, also in Wellington Street, did have a police lock-up attached....but that's a story for another week.

It seems that John Hinshaw in September 1843 transferred his licence from The Kangaroo Inn to the Prince of Wales. When the licence was reviewed in 1847, the premises was found to be clean and respectable, and there had been no convictions, however....the committee heard that the police constable had found the landlord seemingly drunk when the inspection took place. Hinshaw explained that he was simply responding to a joke, (sadly we'll never know the details) and the licence was duly granted. (Examiner 04 September 1847).

The hotel was still known as the Prince of Wales in 1940, (when a pint of Kentdale lager “straight from Melbourne” could be had for 1/1 a bottle), and I despite spending an evening on-line and emptying my bookshelves (well...not quite..but still....) I haven't found any information about how the building was used after that time. Perhaps someone could help provide extra details?

114-116 CAMERON STREET - STRUAN AND SUPREME COURT BUILDING

114-116 CAMERON STREET - STRUAN AND SUPREME COURT BUILDING

Struan was built by James Robertson in 1870, at a cost of around six thousand pounds. It incorporated many “features” worthy of comment at the time including hot water, piped up from the kitchen stove to the upstairs bedrooms. The architect was Peter Mills, and the builder E. Ford.

Aspects of Robertson's life reads like a story from a Victorian Boy's Own Annual with tragedy (a brother who drowned in the South Esk), adventure (a memorable encounter with a dangerous bushranger), mercantile success (as evidenced by the bricks and mortar of Struan), and more! According to his obituary, published in The Cornwall Chronicle of 03 April 1874 (which can be read on Trove), he resisted much encouragement to enter formal politics, but was still greatly involved in community pursuits. He was, for instance, among many other things, captain and paymaster of the Voluntary Artillary Corps. According to Beverley Heathcote in her book A Walk Through Launceston's History, John Robertson was “well-known....for driving around the town in his open carriage flanked by his two dalmatian dogs.”

When Robertson died in 1874, central Launceston paused – most of the city's civic leaders attended the funeral, and shops were closed along the route between Struan and the Scotch Cemetery, which was located in High Street. Mrs. Robertson died in 1891.

In 1891, Struan was used as a residence for the Governor during the Tasmanian Exhibition. Bennell Brothers did the necessary refurbishment. At that time The Examiner (14 October) stated that the grounds contained “two of the finest magnolia trees in Tasmania.” I suspect they are no longer there, but I will look next time I'm passing! Dr. Pike, (who died in 1912), followed by Sister Massey had the house after this time, the latter operating it as a hospital until August 1919.

In 1920, Struan was purchased for 7,000 pounds by Dr. Arthur E. Panting from Zeehan who re opened it as a private hospital, which it remained until 1927. At that time there was a proposal to us it as a maternity hospital, but sufficient funds could not be raised and it was decided, in 1928, to consider making it the site of the new Supreme Court instead. At that time the house was located on over an acre of land. Work began on 01 July 1929. S.R. Featherstone was the contractor. The law offices of the new courthouse were located in Struen House. At the time of its official opening, the new building works had cost 9,000 pounds, with plans for additional development.

In 1929 Struan played a unique role after the disastrous floods of that year. The Examiner of May 03 reported: “It is almost unbelievable that during the couple of weeks Struan central sewing depot (in charge of the Australian -Women's National League) has been in existence over 1200 garments

have been issued for the relief of those who suffered through the flood. The official record kept by the secretary of the league shows that to date 776 new garments have been cut out and distributed to work parties, while 600 second-hand garments have been remade.”

It goes without saying that there are many stories from the Supreme court from after 1930 that could be told.

There are a lot of photos available on-line, of Struan in past times One example can be found at: http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/item/?id=PH30-1-5027#urls.

I was tempted to remove the phone box from the photo but it occurred to me that in twenty years or so (probably less) this will, in itself be “of historic interest!” Be aware that it is the back of Struan that “fronts” Cameron Street. Not surprisingly the house was built with an outlook to the river.

CORNER CHARLES AND PATERSON STREETS - THE NATIONAL THEATRE

THE NATIONAL THEATRE, CNR. CHARLES AND PATERSON STREETS

The National Theatre remains an impressive building on the corner of Charles and Paterson Street. It was designed by Thomas Searell, and built by Harry Goodluck. The Launceston City Council sold the building to the printing firm that still occupies it, in 1969.

The first performance at the theatre, when in opened in September 1915 was “The Silence fo Dean Maitland by Mr George Marlow's Dramatic company. The programme in the early days of the theatre were nothing if not eclectic, as a quick look at early Examiners (via TROVE) illustrates:

05 March 1918: Film - “Unborn” - dealing with the nation's decreasing birthrate “in a manner that gives no offence”

27 March 1918: “Mr. J. D. Foley, comedian and ventriloquist, will appear after an absence of five years. In the afternoon Mr. White will show Punch and Judy for the little ones.”

07 June 1918: The Launceston season of the high class vaudeville combination at the National Theatre is drawing to a close The farces, introducing the full strength of the company, are amongst the most humourous items of their kind offered,and the individual contributions by Doody and Wright, music and dancing artists; Lennon and Hill. society entertainers; Dozey and Doura, acrobats and balancers; Fred. Arthur comedian, Arthur Sharples, tenor vocalist, Laura McLaine, soprano; and Violet Lorraine,soubrette; constitute a programme of rare merit.”........and so on

These are three fairly random samples from just one year – there is a lot more packed into the 44 years of the theatre's operation and each of the performances and events has a whole history worthy of further investigation.

68 PATERSON STREET - PAINE'S CARRIAGE WORKS

PAINE'S CARRIAGE WORKS

Paine's Carriage Works were established in Launceston by George Paine who emigrated from England in 1860. The original works were at 192 York Street (with showrooms in Wellington Street), but moved to Paterson Street in 1902, by which time George's son Frederick was in charge.  The construction of the new building was overseen by architect Edwin Laidlaw.  Paines built the first brougham and hansom cabs in Launceston and won many prizes.


The business made the transition from horse-drawn vehicles to the motor car. An article in the Examiner (08th October 1914) comments that Mr Paine had already had twelve years experience in this area! Paines built a bus to service areas where the tram didn't go, and made the first two seater car built in Northern Tasmania, as well as an ambulance and fire engines.

Their cars sound like quite something to see. The same article says: “Two of the latest five-seated bodies ... are painted blue, picked out black, with a fine gold line, which harmonises with blue leather trimmings. The vehicle is mounted on a 15-20 Fiat chassis, supplied by the Fordyce Motor Company, and is indeed worthy of inspection.”

But if the cars were impressive, their bus promised to be a marvel. Here is the description published in The Examiner of 25th August 1905: “The car is built of English ash and cedar, varnished, and both woods can be distinguished as one enters. The long cedar panels are beautifully let into solid pilars, and the platform on which the conductor stands to receive passengers and parcels is shut off from the car when necessary by a sliding door. The seats are spring cushions of the most modern design, covered in moss-green Russian leather. On the outside the car panels are painted in pretty green, picked out in black, and lined with orange. In front of the ladies' car is a smoking compartment, which has seating and accommodation for eight passengers. It may be closed right off from the hind car by glass windows. Those on board can see all round, as the windows facing the driver's box are circular in shape. One of the improvements is the attachment of two nickel handles to hold as one enters either compartment., The driver's box is fitted up with a tool cabinet of polished wood. There are 34 windows in cedar frames,so there is no lack of ventilation, and every window has a spring catch, which works automatically. When necessary, the curtains, which are fixed to every window on brass rollers, may be let down. The nickel-plated funnel and brass ventilator in front sets off the appearance of the 'bus greatly. The whole of the work, with 'the exception of the undercarriage, is being carried out at .Mr. Paine's factory, and when completed it will reflect great credit upon the designer and builder.”

The firm seems to have been very innovative. If no one has done it already there is a local history book waiting to be written here!!!!! A search on TROVE will turn up many other fascinating snippets of information. The Examiner of Friday 7 June 1895 has an interesting article about the carriageworks. You can see some photos of buses at http://nonsequitur.freeforums.org/lkcs-lesser-known-coachbuilders-t58-90.html and of their two-seater car at http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.au/item/q=paine&format=Images&avail=Online&i=3&id=LPIC147-1-65#urls.

Interviews with Fred James and Rex Case who worked for Paines in the early 1920s can be found in Launceston Talks - Oral Histories of the Launceston Community.

1 CIVIC SQUARE - HENTY HOUSE

1 CIVIC SQUARE - HENTY HOUSE

This is the building many people love to hate. Leo Shofield referred to it as "a hideous building resembling a cement cooling tower".  At risk of being labelled one of the “trendoids” to whom he refers, I have to confess as a Launceston resident, I'm actually rather fond of it.

I vaguely remember (showing my age here) seeing drawings before it was built projecting what it would look like when finished. Every level had green vines trailing down over the balconies – an amazing pyramid of greenery. It has, of course, instead turned out to be a huge grey monolith that dominates the edge of Civic square. The “wood” texture of on some of its surfaces only seems to emphasise its inorganic character. Yet, there is nothing else quite like it.

Civic square is a wonderful architectural assortment that is nicely rounded off by Henty House. I like the way that Macquarie House reflects in the windows of the newer structure, and the fact that every time I walk past I see something else that I haven't noticed before. I love that it makes people think and talk about how they want their city to look.

Henty House was built for its current tenant, the State Government in 1983. The architect was Peter Partridge. People have been married here, become Australian citizens here, celebrated passing their driving test and so on. It is a building of many stories.  There has been considerable debate over whether it is worthy of inclusion in the state heritage list. This blog is mainly about the history associated with various buildings rather than the structures as such, but if anything were to happen to Henty House there would be a large gap in the story of Launceston in the 1980s. Its worth considering the question of what makes a building worthy of preservation.

33 BATHURST STREET - LAUNCESTON CITY BAND ROOMS

LAUNCESTON CITY BAND ROOMS

The first reference I can find to this building, which is not on the heritage register, is in newspaper advertisements from 1911, seeking workers for Boatwright's Clothing and Shirt Factory. Despite a 44 hour week, there was the attractive prospect of “No work on Saturdays”. Machinists were offered a wage between 25 and 30 shillings a week.

In 1915, over 50 people were employed at the factory, however its viability was threatened by the defence department which had requisitioned the output of the Waverley Woollen Mills and insisted that it be sent to Melbourne to be made up. The consequence as the owner JW Boatwright put it, would be that about half the the staff would 'be thrown into idleness.”

Unfortunately I don't know how things turned out for the shirt factory, but in 1928 the Launceston City Band purchased the building, which remains as its headquarters today. In the 1930s “old time and modern dances” were held on a weekly basis.

I'd love to be able to add in more information about when the building was constructed, whether or not it had a previous use, what happened to the shirt factory and more details of the buildings usage in the years after the thirties.   If  I waited until I knew everything I wanted to know about a particular building, though, I'd never actually get anything up on the blog so I'll update as I go!

In the meantime there is a lot of interesting history of the Launceston City Band on their website – www.lcb.org.au.

15 WELLINGTON ST - THE KANGAROO INN

Building began at 15 Wellington Street in 1824, when a cottage was built by James Lyford. A variety of businesses were subsequently conducted on the site including a theatre, a bakery and stables, but it is best known as “The Kangaroo Inn.” The Inn was licensed between 1835 and 1842.

Many of the early hotels in Launceston doubled as community meeting places. St. John's Masonic Lodge had its foundations in a meeting held at the inn in 1842. Inquests were also held on the premises.

One suspects that many interesting stories could be told (and hopefully might be discovered) about the “Victorian Theatre”, as it was also known. An advertisement from the Cornwall Chronicle of 26 November 1842 reads:  "Mr REA (from England), the celebrated Ventriloquist, Mimic, Performer of Mechanical figures, Deception &etc, &etc, will perform at the Kangaroo Inn (for the first time in this colony), on the evenings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Boxes 4s, Pit 2s 6d."

In her book, A Walk Through Launceston's History, Beverley Heathcote gives more details about the Kangaroo Inn as well as some fascinating information about the theatre manager George Coppin who, amongst other things, was later to supply Burke and Wills with camels!!

(More details can  also be found at the Australian Heritage Database:

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=16101)