York Courthouse Complex — Attraction in York

The York Court House, Police Station and Lock-Up is a group of buildings and related spaces with a sense of enclosure – a single identity – a precinct that has aesthetic value for its high degree of unity as well as the range of spatial qualities it contains. The level of craftsmanship represents a creative achievement. The design of the Avon Terrace buildings is an architectural accomplishment that makes an important contribution to the townscape of York and the houses at the rear of the precinct maintain a connection with the rest of the town, with Low Street and River.

The precinct has great historic value for its strong links with so many of the key phases of development in York and in the state, particularly the convict era and the gold boom, and its association with prominent figures in that history. The continuity of a civic presence in Avon Terrace and a long history of government and polices use of the site makes an important contribution to the historic value of the town. The close association with the development of the law and law enforcement in Western Australia give the place historic value at state level.

The precinct has enormous potential as an educational resource for architects, historians and students. It provides a good reference site for the development of architectural design and building technology in the state and documentary sources exist that could yield further evidence of the detailed social history of the place. The site may yet reveal more to the archaeologist.

The precinct has social value for its demonstration of a range of historic ways of living and working, and is unusual in allowing direct comparisons to be made between court rooms and quarters of different periods. The place as a whole is held in high esteem by the local community, and by the state and national visitors to the historic town.

The precinct may not be unique, but is a rare example of its type.

Some of the individual buildings, within the precinct have particular aspects of significance that are worthy of attention in their own right.

The precinct is clearly significant at local, state and...

We (two adults and 3 primary school aged children) enjoyed the whole experience at the York Courthouse but were disappointed to find a gavel in one of the displays. The museum staff were unaware that British judges have never used a gavel. I hope it is removed. (I am a historian specializing in 19c crime and punishment.) The staff seem to have spent too much time watching American crime programs rather than researching facts specifically relating to the York Courthouse! Other than being subjected to the sight of a gavel (a detail which always annoys others in the field, so I know I am not alone), seeing the interior of a nineteenth century courtroom (and other parts of the complex) was...

A beautiful example of buildings of that time and a well preserved monument to Western Australia’s first inland town. The skills demonstrated in the construction of the complex are remarkable considering the harsh conditions and resources available. A wonderful step back in time enhanced by the haunting audio in the cell block. It was an...