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Former Customs House

Location 28 Gipps Street,, PORT FAIRY VIC 3284 - Property No B3470 File Number B3470 Level Local

[1/3] B3470 Former Customs House [2/3] B3470 FormerCustoms House [3/3] B3470 Former Customs House

Statement of Significance

A simple bluestone Customs House of 1860 -61, in good condition and with a somewhat unusual open-work timber verandah valence employing eliptical motifs.
The present old Customs House replaced an earlier structure constructed in 1844 on the other side of Gipps Street. The present building was erected in 1860-61 by the builders Cox & Co. from locally quarried basalt. The timber verandah was added in 1866. Designers of the building were the Public Works Department of Victoria. It is a utilitarian structure with virtually no embellishments. The building is of considerable historical importance as it was erected at the time when Port Fairy was at the peak of acitvity as one of the largest and busiest shipping and trade harbours in Western Victoria. The structure is now used as a private residence.
This Former Customs House is constructed in Bluestone and its features include the Front verandahand the flat, hipped, corrugatedf iron clad roof and its prominent chimneys.
Classified: 31/07/1975
Part of Port Fairy Historic Area.
Classified: 02/03/1981.