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Former Pleasant Creek Court House, 46-48 Longfield Street, STAWELL

Location

46-48 Longfield Street STAWELL, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

Statement of Significance

The former Pleasant Creek Court House, 46-48 Longfield 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. This building (also known as the former Pleasant Creek Court House), built in 1860, is the best and most intact example of four identically planned court houses in the Victorian Free Classical style with projected entry and gable roof.

The former Pleasant Creek Court House is architecturally significant at a STATE level. It demonstrates in an outstanding way many original design qualities of the Victorian Free Classical style. These qualities include the slate gable roof, projecting front porch (with distinctive archway and piers) and central court room flanked by offices and ancillary rooms. Other intact qualities include the unpainted red brick wall construction, moderate eaves, granite foundations, timber framed double hung windows, rendered brick and corbelled chimneys and the overall spatial layout. The mature peppercorn trees also contribute to the significance of the place.

The former Pleasant Creek Court House is historically significant at a STATE level. It is associated with the establishment and development of the Pleasant Creek (later Stawell) Court between 1858 and 1877-78. The building was used as a court house for only 18 years before the shift of population resulted in its closure in early 1878 and the subsequent erection of another court house at Stawell East in 1880. The building is also important in the history of police administration in Victoria, as after the removal of the court to Stawell East, it was used as a Mounted Constable's quarters during the period when Stawell was the headquarters of the Wimmera Police District.

The former Pleasant Creek Court House is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised and valued by the Stawell community for its past use as a Court House.

Overall, the former Pleasant Creek Court House is of STATE significance.

Group

Law Enforcement

Category

Court House