Built 1877. The oldest surviving structure in the Blacktown central
business district.
A
single storey Victorian-style brick building with two gables on the
northern side. The
building displays simple Victorian features such as a finial on one
gable, sandstone dressed blocks and brick archives over the windows.
The building has a galvanised iron roof and a finial on one gable end.
By 1871 two private schools had been established in Blacktown. After
investigation the government decided to subsidise the running of one of
the schools (the other operated out of a inn's barn, which no doubt
horrified the school inspector). There were however, insufficient
students to warrant the establishment of a public school. Numbers soon
rose and in 1875 it was decided that there were sufficient students to
warrant
the converting the private school into a fully-funded public school. A
two acre lot was purchased an construction begun at a cost of
£897. Construction
of the school and teachers residence was completed in 1877, although
the school was apparently dedicated in 1876. An additional classroom
was added in 1882, along with additional staff.
Several years and two architects separate the wings, which accounta for
their detail differences. Further classrooms were added in 1915. Was
latter part of the Blacktown
District Public (Primary) School until
it's
closure in 1990. Peak student numbers of over 1,200 children were
reached in the late 1950's, however after 1958 there was a steady
decline due to other schools in the area being opened. In 1980 a fire
destroyed many of the newer (post 1915) buildings. Now only the
original building remains, the remaining
(newer) buildings of the school having been demolished for the
expansion of the Westpoint Shopping Centre.
Currently owned by Blacktown Council, however the land is leased to
Queensland Investment Corporation. During the 1990's the building was used as a
sculptor's studio. Presently used as the Blacktown Tourist Information Centre (opened July, 2007).
Sources: Blacktown Advocate, 9/7/2003 "Our City, Our Heritage", 1997 Blacktown City Council Calendar.
NSW Heritage Office Website, http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au
"Where the Country Became the City
Blacktown", 1996, Blacktown & District Historical Society
A Little Learning, Blacktown Advocate, 13th September, 2006