Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The construction of permanent material buildings, replacing the early timber and canvas shelters, illustrates the prosperity and confidence of Queenstown in the 1870's and 1880's. The courthouse was particularly significant during the early years in a mining town when there was a great demand for justice in criminal cases and mining disputes.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: Due to the abundance of schist and scarcity of timber in Central Otago a wide range of building types and structures were erected in the area using this material. The District Council chamber and Courthouse/Library were both designed by architect F.W. Burwell and together with the other structures form a pleasing group compatible in scale, style and age. The main street in Queenstown, Ballarat St, with its heritage stone buildings and attractive avenue of trees has great architectural and aesthetic appeal. The area also has historical significance consisting of public buildings erected to serve the growing population in a Central Otago gold mining town. Aesthetic: Ballarat St is one of Queenstown's main thoroughfares and holds an extremely prominent position within the town. The street with its heritage buildings constructed of local schist is lined with historic trees which add to the area's aesthetic appeal. Archaeological: All the structures within the defined area are more then one hundred years old and therefore have archaeological significance.