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Former Police Residence, 17 Leslie Street (corner Griffith Street), STAWELL

Location

17 Leslie Street (corner Griffith Street) STAWELL, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

The former Police Residence, 17 Leslie Street, Stawell, forms part of a coherent group of government, civic and community buildings that have significance for their close associations with the foundation of the town. The former Police Residence is a relatively intact single storey Victorian brick villa with encircling verandahs, having hipped slate roofs and a gabled service annex clad in galvanised corrugated iron (to the west). The police residence was built in 1869 to accommodate the Police Superintendent of the Wimmera. The service annex was added in 1885.

The former Police Residence is architecturally significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates original design qualities of a Public Works Department Victorian villa style. These qualities include the hipped slate roofs, red brick wall construction, and encircling skillion verandahs supported by cast iron columns. Other intact qualities include the timber framed double hung windows, multi-corbelled red brick chimneys, four panelled timber doors, masonry window sills, and the service annex with its galvanised corrugated iron gable roof. The former Police Residence is also architecturally significant as possibly the only purpose-built police superintendents residence in the State.

The former Police Residence and site are historically significant at a STATE level. The site is associated with the establishment of a police administration in Stawell from 1858 as part of the former horse paddock. The former police residence is also associated with development of police administration in Stawell and the Wimmera region for 100 years from 1869 until 1969. The building and site represent one of the earliest developments in this area of Stawell when it was known as Pleasant Creek.

Overall, the former Police Residence is of STATE significance.

Group

Community Facilities

Category

Other - Community Facilities