Midland Courthouse (fmr)

Child Places

• 02530 Water Supply Office (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has historic value as an integral component of a precinct of civic buildings exhibiting a similar architectural style and coloration, comprising Midland Town Hall (1906-1907, 1923-1924), Midland Courthouse (1907), Mechanics Institute (1907) and Midland Post Office (1913), which define the historical civic precinct in Midland;

The place is a fine example of Federation Academic Classical architecture, which is enhanced by a dynamic exterior featuring a central portico and classical mouldings;

The place is a landmark at the junction of Helena Street and Great Northern Highways, and it impacts on important vistas which contribute to the cultural environs and identity of Midland; and,

The place is a reminder of the development that took place in Midland Junction, in the early twentieth century, as a result of the establishment of the railway workshops.

The former Mechanics Institute (1907) at the rear of the place has significance as part of the historic precinct mentioned above.

The toilets at the rear of the place have low cultural heritage significance.

Physical Description

Midland Courthouse is a simple, single-storey, rectangular-shaped building built in the Federation Academic Classical style6 which is symmetrical about a well proportioned portico. The central portico dominates the front elevation in size and detail and contains an elevated, recessed porch and has a large, wide semi-circular archway, flanked by two smaller archways that are supported on rectangular columns. The columns and outer corners of the porch are faced with Donnybrook stone.
Above the arches, the walls are carried up in brickwork and are capped with a stone entablature and triangular pediment featuring classical mouldings. The pediment contains a painted cement Royal coat-of-arms and triangular-shaped decoration on each side. The coat-of-arms is set against a stone background that projects slightly forward of the pediment wall.

History

Following the new industrial expansion of Midland Railway Junction from 1900, building of commercial premises increased substantially. The expected increase in population also made necessary the provision of public amenities and municipal buildings. The construction of Midland Courthouse was part of this increased provision of public amenity. The building was designed by the Public Works Department, under Chief Architect, Hillson Beasley. The contract for construction of the Midland Courthouse, and the Water Supply Office at the rear, was let to Mr Alfred Eade on 27 February 1907, for the amount of £1,932/8/8.
The 1907 courthouse was closed in 1987 when a new Midland Courthouse was opened in Spring Park Road. The former courthouse eventually reverted to the Uniting Church for religious purposes.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.