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Former Glasgow House - Rushworth Historic Area

Location 43 High Street,, RUSHWORTH VIC 3612 - Property No B4766 File Number B4766 Level Regional

[1/1] B4766 Glasgow Buildings

Statement of Significance

The original building on this site was a timber general store established in 1858 by John Galloway Stewart and called Glasgow House because of his Scottish connections. The present building was erected for John's son James Burt Stewart, a solicitor, for his own office along with three shops. The building was designed by A E Castles and built by D Crowthers, a local contractor in 1911, (not 1880 as shown on the central pediment).
The single storey building was constructed of brick, was designed to take a future second storey and there is an extensive reinforced concrete basement. Each shop is separated by a brick fire wall and there is a full length front verandah with a bull-nosed roof.
Classified: 23/07/1981
Historic Area Statement of Significance: Rushworth is a gold mining town of considerable historic character. There is a wealth in its historic buildings and other structures which remain from its early development in the 1850's and the subsequent boom of the decades to follow.
The twentieth century saw a shift in Rushworth's importance as a mining town, to a servicing centre for the surrounding rural community. Essentially a town of the past, Rushworth has been largely by-passed by twentieth century development. This general decline has, however, has had a positive effect in conserving the town's historic urban fabric. The decline, whilst resulting in the loss of some buildings, has caused few intrusive replacements. About the town, many of Rushworth's boom period buildings remain in a largely intact condition and an atmosphere of tranquility pervades in this historic township.
The character and significance of the town is largely a function of its landscape setting; the spacious High Street; the town's irregular layout of straight streets; which are a legacy of Rushworth's boom period subsequent decline.
Classified: 06/12/1982.