I met a home owner recently who lived in a heritage listed home near the center. He told me that every time he left the house, he felt like he was on a movie set. The amount of stone facades in Gawler is overwhelming. We don't just have one or two museums; the whole main street is a display of historic design.
For architecture buffs, Gawler is heaven. The name 'Athens of the South' wasn't given randomly. It referred to the town's intellectual ambitions. Viewing the details, you see a belief that the early settlers had. Constructed these structures to endure, and they did.
Gawler Town Hall History
The Gawler Town Hall is the clear anchor of Murray Street. Constructed in the 1870s, it dominates the main road with its grand design. Being beneath its entrance, you feel the importance. It was the center of local politics for over a century.
The features are worth a closer inspection. Notice the corbels. The skill involved in cutting and laying that stone is rare now. Constructed at a time when the town was rich, and the building shouts prosperity. It showed everyone that Gawler was a significant town in the colony.
Now, it has been restored and integrated into the Gawler Civic Centre. This project was a masterclass in mixing old and new. Go from the heritage part into a glass atrium seamless. It uses the space rather than leaving it as a empty shell.
Religious Architecture
The town view is punctuated by spires. St George's Anglican Church on Church Hill is perhaps the most well known. Planned in a Gothic style, it sits high on the hill, overlooking the town. The use of local rock creates a look that glows in the sunset.
Going in is just as beautiful. The windows and timber ceilings create a holy atmosphere. Beyond being a place of worship; it is a historic marker. Generations have been buried here, tying their family stories to the physical building.
Religious sites like the Catholic Church also feature great stonework. How many of churches in such a small area gave Church Hill its name. The church walk allows you to compare the architectural differences and see how denomination expressed itself in design.
Industrial Architecture
Not all heritage is fancy. The industrial buildings are just as key. The flour mill on the southern entry to town is a imposing structure. Made for wheat from the plains, it represents the money maker of the town. The size reminds us that Gawler was a industrial hub.
Such buildings have been converted. Factories are now shops. Recycling buildings is fantastic because it maintains the look while giving the building a new life. Dining in a building that once was a factory is a unique experience.
Industrial design is solid. Thick walls were built to last. Durability gives them a character that sheds completely lack. They ground the town to the work that built Gawler.
Heritage Protection
Bluestone is the key element of Gawler. Dug up here, it is durable and beautiful. But, fixing it requires craft. Pointing must be done with traditional mix, not cement, or the stone will spoil.
Buyers in Gawler are becoming custodians of this knowledge. A comeback in stonemasonry. There is pride in restoring their front facades to their original glory. Walking down the streets, you can see the difference of this effort.
The town planners play a big role in keeping these streetscapes. Strict rules prevent demolition of key buildings. Although tricky, these rules keep prices up. Losing them, Gawler would lose the very thing that makes it valuable.
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