By 1863 the town sections had been surveyed and sold and Queenstown was firmly established. It was constituted a borough in 1866. The town's greatest gold year was 1863 and for many years gold mining was its principal industry. By the end of the 1870's the population had begun to disperse and at the turn of the century the small remaining population had turned to various types of farming.
Ballarat St, Queenstown's main thoroughfare, has several stone buildings, erected during the town's heyday as a mining centre in the 1870's and 1880's. Today these buildings retain their historic character in a town which plays a major role in New Zealand's tourist industry.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7070
Date Entered
28th April 1995
Date of Effect
28th April 1995
City/District Council
Queenstown-Lakes District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
The area comprises the Courthouse; Library and Reading Room; Lake County Office; Ballarat Street Bridge; and Forresters Lodge.
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7070
Date Entered
28th April 1995
Date of Effect
28th April 1995
City/District Council
Queenstown-Lakes District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
The area comprises the Courthouse; Library and Reading Room; Lake County Office; Ballarat Street Bridge; and Forresters Lodge.
Why is this place significant?
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.
Why is this place significant?
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.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Report Written By
NZHPT
Information Sources
Miller, 1973
F.W.G Miller, Golden Days of Lake County, 5th edn, Christchurch, 1973
Other Information
A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. 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.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Report Written By
NZHPT
Information Sources
Miller, 1973
F.W.G Miller, Golden Days of Lake County, 5th edn, Christchurch, 1973
Other Information
A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. 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.
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Library
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Masonic Lodge
General Usage: Government
Specific Usage: Council/local government building
General Usage: Law Enforcement
Specific Usage: Courthouse
General Usage: Transport
Specific Usage: Bridge/ Viaduct
Former Usages
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Library
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Masonic Lodge
General Usage: Government
Specific Usage: Council/local government building
General Usage: Law Enforcement
Specific Usage: Courthouse
General Usage: Transport
Specific Usage: Bridge/ Viaduct
