Westpac Bank Building, Cooktown, Heritage bank building in Cooktown, Australia
The Westpac Bank Building is a two-story brick structure located on Charlotte Street with a corrugated iron roof and timber verandahs. Inside, plaster ceilings with cornices, ceiling roses, cedar doors, and carved staircases have been preserved.
The building was constructed in 1891 as Queensland National Bank when the Palmer River goldfields brought prosperity to the region. It served as a financial center for miners and settlers in this expanding town.
The building displays classical design elements with colonnades and arched windows that were typical of important business houses of its era. This style reflected how successful institutions wanted to present themselves in regional towns.
The building is located on a central street in Cooktown and is easy to explore from the outside. Visitors can admire the exterior architecture and structure, though access to the interior may be limited.
The original architect Francis Drummond Greville Stanley was a respected designer who left his mark on several important buildings across the region. His choice of classical elements made this bank building a symbol of stability and trustworthiness for gold seekers.
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