Guildford's former courthouse and gaol to have heritage listing

1/12/94

The historic significance of two local landmarks has been recognised.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis announced this week that Guildford's former courthouse and jail have been entered on the State Register of Heritage Places.

The interim register entries, recommended by the Heritage Council of Western Australia, recognise that the buildings have played a significant role in WA's history.

Mr Lewis said the buildings were integral to the early settlement and development of Guildford.

"The buildings make an important contribution to the streetscape of Meadow Street, which is considered to be the most important historic precinct in Guildford," he said.

"Together, the former courthouse and jail buildings demonstrate an evolution of design and usage that shows the development of policing in the town.

"In addition, they form part of the architectural stock of the late convict period in WA when building development took place at a rapid rate to take advantage of convict labour before the end of the transportation in 1868."

Mr Lewis said the buildings were fine examples of colonial architecture, as built by both convict labour and private contractors.

He said alterations to the building fabric of the former courthouse and jail had been minimal, so both retained a high degree of authenticity.

The former jail is a single storey brick and iron building.  The original section was built in 1841 and was Guildford's first Government building, with additions carried out in 1866 when the courthouse was constructed using convict labour.

The jail was built when it became apparent there was no suitable building in town to house the large numbers of prisoners awaiting trial, many on charges relating to drunken behaviour.  At the time, the town had three public houses.

The adjacent courthouse in a single storey built of soft coloured, hand-made bricks.

The jail was used till the 1960s when the courthouse was closed.

It currently houses a museum under the direction of the Guildford Historical Society, while the former courthouse houses the society and is used as an exhibition place.

Media contact:  Tony Robertson 222 9595