Entries about civic pride

Tracing the growth of the heart of Townsville’s Central Business District (CBD). The walk displays the consolidation of the westward movement to the CBD in conjunction with the expansion of insurance, commercial and banking institutions. While many of the buildings exhibit landmark qualities, all contribute to the streetscape and provide an understanding of Townsville’s emergence as the administrative centre of North Queensland.
Townsville’s first European contact occurred in 1819 when Allan Cunningham, aboard the survey vessel Mermaid, landed on Cape Cleveland. A further 45 years elapsed before John Melton Black and his partner Robert Towns, after whom the city was named, founded Townsville in November 1864. Originally Townsville was a slowly developing seaport with pastoralists settling in the hinterland. Following the discovery of gold in 1867 it developed rapidly and by 1880 was the port for five major goldfields and the main supply centre of northern Australia. Later it became the centre for rich sugar growing districts to the north and south. Today, Townsville is a vibrant modern city and the administrative centre of North Queensland, but still preserves a rich heritage from its golden past.

01. Westpac Bank (former bank of new south wales)

Built in 1935, this building is a fine example of an inter-war bank building. It was originally the Bank of New South Wales, which was one of the first banks established in Townsville and of which Robert Towns (founder of Townsville) was a director.

02. Former Commercial Banking Company of Sydney

This building was contiguous with the building next door. It is a fine example of a 1920s bank building although its current use has altered.

03. Former Henlein & Co.
An interesting example of commercial federation style architecture. Originally built as a warehouse in 1902 for Heinlein & Co. Liquor Merchants, the building was later occupied by the English, Scottish and Australian Bank. Initially only the plasterwork was painted while the brickwork remained exposed.

04. Former Australian Mutual Provident Society

Built in 1938 and once the AMP Building, this is an impressive structure in the classic revival style. This building has been restored with great taste. The statue on the façade originally topped the 19th century AMP offices (now Magnetic House) in Flinders Street East.

05. Former State Government Offices

During the 1920s the State Government began building imposing offices confirming Townsville as the administrative centre of the north. This building is a fine example of government buildings of the time with a classical form and architectural detailing.

06. Great Northern Hotel

Built in 1902 this is a beautifully preserved example of a masonry and timber verandah hotel.

This hotel design was once common throughout Australia. The Great Northern Hotel was the first ’port of call’ for people arriving via rail.

07. Old Townsville Railway Station

A splendid example of Edwardian Gothic architecture with Art Nouveau decoration.

Note the asymmetric design and the ornate iron brackets supporting the awning.

An unusual example of a railway station with an imposing façade and civic presence.

Ambulance crew teaching staff during the war in 1942

08. Newmarket Hotel
The original Newmarket Hotel was built in 1872 and with expansion out from the city centre it became one of the leading establishments in Townsville. The present building (renovated in 1994) was erected in 1932 in the style of earlier hotels with wide verandahs shading the street.

09. Sturt Street Retail Precinct

Though no longer used for its original purpose, this building was one of the first examples of showrooms built for car dealers in the 1930s when the motor car was gaining in popularity.

10. Stanley Street Retail Precinct
This small precinct was erected around the 1930s and is an example of typical medium size retail buildings erected in the inter-war period.

11. Former Townsville School of Arts

This building was erected in 1891. The School of Arts provided classes in cooking, drawing, singing and woodworking, among others. The theatre was host to many leading performers, including Dame Nellie Melba in 1909.

12. Former Townsville Technical College

Constructed in 1921, this building was originally the first state high school in Townsville. It held 63 students but by the mid 1930s the Stanley Street wing was extended to provide extra classrooms.

Towering above the college is Castle Hill

13. Former Townsville Magistrates Court

Built in 1877 to house Townsville’s Magistrates Court. It is a rare example of a 19th century masonry courthouse. The concrete used in the foundation of the b

14. Former Scott, Dawson & Stewart Warehouse

This is the only remaining warehouse of its kind in north Queensland. The lower storey was built in 1884 and is supported by enormous timber pillars and beams. The upper storeys were added in 1889. The crest adorning the façade represents the first logo of the Townsville City Council. During World War II the building was the RAAF headquarters for the North Eastern Area.

15. Osler House

An elegant house built in 1889 for Charters Towers mining magnate and politician John Deane for rental as a doctor’s surgery. For some years after 1901 it was used as a commercial travellers club, but for most of its life has been occupied by some of Townsville’s medical practitioners. It is believed that the first x-rays in Australia were taken here.

16. Former Dalgety & co

Built in 1924 this building served as the offices of Dalgety & Co., one of the most successful pastoral companies in Australia. The building was constructed from reinforced masonry during the period where concrete construction dominated the building industry in Far North Queensland. It was the last of the substantial warehouses to be built in Townsville.

17. Denham Chambers

Sympathetically restored, this building has housed members of the Townsville legal fraternity since it was built in 1901. 18. roberts, leu & north building This building originally had a balcony with elaborate cast iron balustrades. Its removal has emphasised the elegant classical line of the façade and the attractive parapet.

19. Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

This was originally a single-storeyed building erected in 1885 for the Union Bank of Australia. The second storey was added in the 1930s. Note the arcaded verandahs and high ceilings designed deliberately to allow for the tropical climate. This building is now a regional art gallery.

20. Former Townsville Post Office

This building was erected in three stages from 1887 to 1889. It was designed by J.J. Clarke who was regarded as one of the leading 19th century architects in Australia and demonstrated the principal characteristics of a provincial post office. In early 2002 the post office moved out and was replaced by The Brewery.

21. W.H. Green Building
The central shop was one of Townsville’s first brick stores, built for the early merchants Brodziak & Rodgers in 1878. The shops on either side date from 1887. Later, the chemist W.H. Green acquired the building and occupied the entire shopfront.

22. Former Willmett’s Stationery Shop
With its timber balustrade, verandah and striking parapet, this is the last surviving building of its kind in the city. It was built in 1920.

24. Former Queensland National bank

Built in 1879, this pleasantly symmetrical building was Townsville’s first two-storeyed brick commercial building. It is notable for its wide verandahs, fine decorative detail and ornate cast- iron balustrades. The Queensland National Bank dominated the banking industry in Queensland during the
19th century