Beverley Municipal Council Chambers 1898-1914
Beverley Volunteer Fire Brigade 1898-1945
By 1840, much of the York-Beverley road had become impassable. The Colonial Secretary rejected calls for major works based on the sparse population and claiming Beverley was a township “in name only”. In 1843 an Act was passed ”to provide for the construction and management of roads and other national communications in the Colony” whereby local boards of directors were appointed to determine works and funding.
Beverley’s 1st board comprised: John Smith (Yangedine), Henry de Burgh (Goonderding) and Stephen Parker (Northbourne). As a voice on district works, the board of directors was a forerunner to the district road board.
In 1867 the boundaries of the Beverley Road District were proclaimed under legislation and in 1871 the Legislative Council enacted the Roads Act to create municipalities. The Beverley District Road Board was formed in 1871.
In 1892, Beverley residents petitioned Premier Forrest to have the town declared a Municipality. Forrest agreed and an election was to be held on 26 April, however, there were no nominations. Some confusion ensued; it was gazetted in 1892, and earliest meeting was 1894. The Municipal Council worked with the District Road Board until 1913 when the inefficiencies of two bodies became evident.
Built in 1898 for the Chambers and offices of the Beverley Municipal Council was used as such until 1914, when the Municipal Council and the Beverley District Road Board (No.16) formed the Beverley Road Board and moved to the Mechanic’s Hall (No. 2) in 1914.
The Beverley Volunteer Fire Brigade had until that time (1914) occupied a shed beside the building. They bought the Council Chambers building and established the Fire Station on the property, operating there until 1945. Later, in 1948, they had a purpose-built Fire Station constructed at a different site (No.1).
The former Council Chambers were sold to a private buyer. From 1980-1995, a Doctor and his family resided and ran the Doctor’s Surgery practice from the building.
The former Beverley Municipal Council Chambers is a fine example of Federation Free Classical architecture that despite its varied functions, retains a significant contribution to the historic streetscape of Beverley.
Beverley’s 1st board comprised: John Smith (Yangedine), Henry de Burgh (Goonderding) and Stephen Parker (Northbourne). As a voice on district works, the board of directors was a forerunner to the district road board.
In 1867 the boundaries of the Beverley Road District were proclaimed under legislation and in 1871 the Legislative Council enacted the Roads Act to create municipalities. The Beverley District Road Board was formed in 1871.
In 1892, Beverley residents petitioned Premier Forrest to have the town declared a Municipality. Forrest agreed and an election was to be held on 26 April, however, there were no nominations. Some confusion ensued; it was gazetted in 1892, and earliest meeting was 1894. The Municipal Council worked with the District Road Board until 1913 when the inefficiencies of two bodies became evident.
Built in 1898 for the Chambers and offices of the Beverley Municipal Council was used as such until 1914, when the Municipal Council and the Beverley District Road Board (No.16) formed the Beverley Road Board and moved to the Mechanic’s Hall (No. 2) in 1914.
The Beverley Volunteer Fire Brigade had until that time (1914) occupied a shed beside the building. They bought the Council Chambers building and established the Fire Station on the property, operating there until 1945. Later, in 1948, they had a purpose-built Fire Station constructed at a different site (No.1).
The former Council Chambers were sold to a private buyer. From 1980-1995, a Doctor and his family resided and ran the Doctor’s Surgery practice from the building.
The former Beverley Municipal Council Chambers is a fine example of Federation Free Classical architecture that despite its varied functions, retains a significant contribution to the historic streetscape of Beverley.