Cattle House, historic site in Queensland, Australia
Cattle House is a two-story brick building on Quay Street in Rockhampton with a striking facade of large round arches on the ground floor and arched windows above, framed by decorative pilasters and balustrades. Inside, the building displays carefully executed details including pressed metal ceilings with patterns, a grand staircase with turned woodwork, and a strong room with thick concrete walls and heavy iron door that once secured valuables.
The original bank building on this site was erected in 1864 and was among the first commercial structures on Quay Street, which thrived as a busy harbor with arriving ships. The current Cattle House was completed in 1903 by architects Addison and Corrie, replacing the earlier structure during a boom driven by gold discoveries at Mount Morgan.
The building stands on Quay Street in Rockhampton as part of a row of structures that reflect the city's past as a port town. It was later adopted by the Cattleman's Union and now serves as a gathering space where the pressed metal ceiling with its decorative patterns still speaks to earlier times.
The building is centrally located on Quay Street in Rockhampton and is easy to view from the outside, as its striking facade with arches and decorative details is visible from the street. As a heritage site, it has no fixed opening hours, but visitors can observe the architectural features through the windows and explore the street facade at any time.
The building was originally designed for the Union Bank of Australia but was later taken over by the Cattleman's Union and renamed Cattle House. This surprising link between banking and cattle farming is reflected in its use today, where its former banking counter and vault now serve as a meeting space for the cattle industry.
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