Launceston Gasworks, Industrial heritage building in Launceston, Tasmania.
Launceston Gasworks is a 19th-century industrial facility with sandstone structures and a distinctive red brick building displaying 'COOK WITH GAS' on its walls. The complex shows the functional architecture typical of energy production sites from that era, built with durable materials to house gas generation and distribution operations.
The Launceston Gas Company founded this facility in 1858 to supply the growing city with gas for street lighting and domestic use. The site transitioned from coal gas production to distributing liquefied petroleum gas, reflecting how Tasmanian energy infrastructure adapted to new technologies over time.
The 'COOK WITH GAS' slogan painted on the red brick building represents a historical marketing message promoting gas cooking as a modern convenience. Walking through the site, visitors can observe how this promotional language connects the industrial space to domestic life in the city.
The site remains operational, but exterior points can be viewed from the street to see the architecture and preserved structures. Visiting earlier in the day works well, as more facade details become visible in good light.
The red brick wall with 'COOK WITH GAS' lettering was not added as an art project but was part of a genuine advertising campaign that lasted for decades. This original signage remains one of the rare surviving examples of such old commercial messaging on an industrial building.
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