York Town Hall

York Town Hall is a heritage listed town hall in York, Western Australia, located in Avon Terrace. At the time of its construction, it was claimed to be the largest public hall in Western Australia, with an interior floor space measuring 100 by 50 feet (30 m × 15 m).[1]

York Town Hall in 2001

It was constructed in 1911,[2] in the Federation Free Classical style (though it could also be described as a latter-day Victorian Mannerist building or a building in the Edwardian Opulence style) "with its soaring columns topped with a decorative pediment and above the main entrance, a high semi-circular window in Romanesque manner".[3]:2

It was designed by Wright, Powell and Cameron (the firm headed by James William Wright).[3]:3

The lobby has a sweeping staircase constructed by local craftsmen from jarrah timber salvaged from the Mechanics Institute building, which had been demolished to make way for the Town Hall.:1

Historian Tony Clack comments: "...the erection of the Town Hall was York's swan song. Two and a half year's later the world was at war and York never recovered the confidence that was expressed in the construction of the Town Hall."[3]:38

It was designed to be large enough to generate income from renting the hall to travelling picture-show men and was utilised as a picture show venue early in its history.[4][5][6]

In 1926, the Town Hall was condemned by the Public Health Department and was closed down, due to a settling of the foundations. To remedy this, expensive steel reinforcing was introduced to support the walls, and steel braces and ties were installed on the roof trusses. In 1933 at the annual St Patrick’s Ball, in the company of his young companions, at 11:30 pm, a 16 year old Terrance Rowan stood on the railing of the dress circle balcony, overbalanced and crashed to the dance floor some 15 feet (5 m) below. He landed head first and broke his neck, and died early next morning.[3]:40,41[7]

The clock was installed in 1952 and the building extended up Joaquina Street in 1997, completing the architect's original vision.[3]:39,41

In the 2000s it was refurbished and renovated.[8]

Imperial Inn and York Town Hall

The building is:

Notes

  1. ↑ AM (Tony) Clack and Jenni McColl, York Sketchbook, The York Society, 2003, p.2.
  2. ↑ "THE YORK TOWN HALL". Western Mail. XXVII, (1, 397). Western Australia. 4 October 1912. p. 34. Retrieved 15 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Clark, A. M; York Society Inc (2011), Origins of the York Town Hall, The York Society, retrieved 15 December 2016
  4. ↑ "EMPIRE PICTURES". The Avon Gazette and York Times (111). Western Australia. 9 September 1916. p. 4. Retrieved 15 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ Clack, Anthony (1996), On with the show! : the story of a country picture show, A.M. Clack, retrieved 15 December 2016
  6. ↑ "York Town Hall Picture Rights". The Beverley Times. XXII, (1314). Western Australia. 24 April 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 15 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ The Daily News, 16 March 1933, p.1.
  8. ↑ Kevin Palassis Architects; York (W.A. : Shire). Council (1995), Conservation plan York Town Hall, 79 Avon Terrace, York : prepared for the Shire of York, The Shire, retrieved 15 December 2016

Coordinates: 31°53′30″S 116°46′05″E / 31.89160°S 116.76818°E / -31.89160; 116.76818

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