Photographic Collection: Heritage Buildings

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

The Perc Tucker Gallery building, located on the corner of Flinders and Denham Streets, was erected in 1885 as the premises for the Union Bank. Prior to this, a hotel stood on the site. The building was designed by FDG Stanley and was originally only one story high. The need for manager's quarters saw the addition of a second story in 1935. The Union Bank (which later became the ANZ bank) continued to operate from this building until the 1970s.

1891

The Townsville City Council purchased the heritage listed building in 1981 and developed it into a public art gallery. It is named after Perc Tucker, Mayor of Townsville from 1976-1980. The Perc Tucker building is listed on the Register of the National Estate and the National Trust Register.

2001

Criterion Hotel

Townsville's first hotel was the Criterion which opened in August of 1865 on the site that it still operates from today (10 The Strand). The first landlord of the Criterion was Mr William Ross, one of Townsville first settlers. The Criterion played an important role in the early history of Townsville, it was not only a pub and boarding house but also served as a public meeting place, entertainment venue and stop on the Cobb & Co. coach line.

ca 1890

The Criterion suffered extensive damage when Cyclone Leonta hit Townsville in March of 1903. The damage was so severe that the owner decided against repairing the hotel and instead a new structure was built on the original site. While some changes have been undertaken since 1903 the two storeyed brick building with its wide timber verandahs is still in use today.

After Cyclone Leonta, 1903

2001

Old Magistrates Court

This building, located on the corner of Stokes and Sturt Streets, was designed by FDG Stanley and built by the Townsville firm J and J Rooney. Work began on the construction of the Courthouse in 1873 but a lack of suitable clay for bricks caused serious delays and the building was not opened until 1877. The finished single storeyed brick structure was simple and dignified and featured an impressive four-columned portico. The building was used as a courthouse for almost a hundred years until new court facilities were built in the early 1970s. The Courthouse was threatened with demolition until the Townsville City Council purchased the building. Currently it houses a number of cultural organisations.

Magistrates Court, 1923
(courtesy of John Oxley Library)

Old Magistrates Court, 2001

Customs House

Townsville had a 'Customs House' as early as 1866 however the building we now refer to as Customs House (on the Corner of Wickham St and the Strand) was not built until 1902. The plans for the brick and sandstone, heritage listed building were drawn up by draughtsman George Payne in 1898.

Although built in a classic, Romanesque style Townsville's Customs House was designed with the tropics in mind. The building features high ceilings for ventilation and colonnades to keep out the sun. Much of the building material was obtained locally. The roof tiles were made in North Queensland, local timbers such as red cedar and silky oak were used internally and the plinth is constructed from Magnetic Island granite.

Customs House
decorated for Queen's visit 1954

2001

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