Roma Courthouse
Encyclopedia
Roma Courthouse is located at 141 McDowall Street, Roma
in Queensland
, Australia
. Constructed in 1901, the heritage-listed
courthouse is a rendered masonry building, which is still in use today. Predominately influenced by the Federation free style
, it is considered a stunning example of Federation colonial architecture at its best.
. It is one of only ten surviving masonry courthouses built in Queensland in the 19th century.
The courthouse is located on a hill west of the Roma town centre. Its location influenced the town's continued development, resulting in the area becoming known as the West End.
The trial in 1872 of Harry Redford
(also known as Captain Starlight) was held in the Roma Courthouse. Redford was accused of stealing 1,000 head of cattle from Bowen Downs Station near Longreach in Queensland
and driving them to South Australia. Explorers Burke and Wills had died attempting to cross the same terrain nine years earlier. He was tried and acquitted in 1873.
Roma, Queensland
Roma is a town in the western Darling Downs area of Queensland, Australia, by rail WNW of Brisbane. It is situated at the junction of the Warrego and Carnarvon highways...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Constructed in 1901, the heritage-listed
Queensland Heritage Council
The Queensland Heritage Council is an independent statuory authority created by the Queensland Parliament under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. The Council advises and reports to the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability and is supported by a secretariat provided by the Department of...
courthouse is a rendered masonry building, which is still in use today. Predominately influenced by the Federation free style
Federation architecture
Federation architecture refers to the architectural style in Australia, which was prevalent from around 1890 to 1920. The period refers to the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, when the Australian colonies collectively became the Commonwealth of Australia...
, it is considered a stunning example of Federation colonial architecture at its best.
History
The Roma courthouse was designed by architect John Smith MurdochJohn Smith Murdoch
John Smith Murdoch was the chief architect for the Commonwealth of Australia from 1919, responsible for designing many government buildings, most notably the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra, the home of the Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988.-Personal Life:John Smith Murdoch was...
. It is one of only ten surviving masonry courthouses built in Queensland in the 19th century.
The courthouse is located on a hill west of the Roma town centre. Its location influenced the town's continued development, resulting in the area becoming known as the West End.
The trial in 1872 of Harry Redford
Harry Redford
Henry Arthur "Harry" Readford was a well known Australian cattle thief or cattle 'duffer'. It is widely believed that the Captain Starlight character in Rolf Boldrewood's novel Robbery Under Arms was based on Readford as Readford's 1870 cattle drive was a major story arc in the book.Readford was...
(also known as Captain Starlight) was held in the Roma Courthouse. Redford was accused of stealing 1,000 head of cattle from Bowen Downs Station near Longreach in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and driving them to South Australia. Explorers Burke and Wills had died attempting to cross the same terrain nine years earlier. He was tried and acquitted in 1873.