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Police Station - Beechworth Hsitoric Area

Location Ford Street,, BEECHWORTH VIC 3747 - Property No B0625 File Number B0625 Level State

[1/1] B0625 Police Station

Statement of Significance

The Beechworth Police Station was erected in 1857 to designs of the Public Works Department and origianlly served as a Sub-Treasury and Gold Office. Additions were made to the rear in 1861. The single storey stone structure originally comprised a pair of offices in the principal gable roof section. The public were restircted to the projecting stone vestibule at the front of the building which was entered from either of the flanking verandahs.
This is the finest early provincial sub-treasury in Victoria. Solidly constructed in the distinctive local granite, it is beautifully composed with each component of the building carefully expressed by simple massing and detailing. The police station and neighbouring structures form the finest group of provincial public buildings in Victoria. The building was an important centre for gold transactions during the 1850's and 1860's.
The original slate roof has been replaced by corrugated metal decking. The picket front fence and sentry box have been removed.
Classified: 09/07/1959

Also part of Group Classification (B2615) with Court House, Forests Office, Lands Office & Police Lock-up.
STATEMENT OF SIGNFICANCE (HISTORIC AREA)
Beechworth is a picturesque nineteenth Century provincial town. It is a well preserved example of a Government and private building, which resulted from the town's important historical role as the administrative and commercial centre of Victoria's north - eastern goldfields. Beechworth was once significant for its position on an early overland route from Melbourne to Sydney.
The town is located sympathetically to the topography, in an area of considerable landscape interest. Set admist forested undulating country, there remain many relics of the mining era in and about Beechworh. It is a rich field for the industrial archaeology.
There are within the town a large number of historical and architecturally significant buildings. These display a quality of form and richness of material and detail, which make Beechworth one of the most significant of Austraila's goldfield towns. Of particular interest is the common usage of local granite in construction. Its honey colour imparts a quality distinctive to Beechworth.
The highlights of Beechworth are the grid of wide streets flanked with granite kerbing; the streetscapes of considerable integrity with groups of homogeneous buildings set off by mature elms and other exotic trees; and the remnants of historic Victorian gardens. About the town there are many examples of nineteenth century street furniture, signs and fences. Beechworth's historical wealth is of national significance.
Classified: April.1983