Maryborough Court House

The Victorian Italianate style Maryborough Courthouse has served the community since 1877. It is reputedly the oldest operational courthouse in Queensland, and considered the most attractive. Designed by Colonial Architect FDG Stanley, it is in Richmond Street, co-located with the State Government Offices on the corner of Wharf Street. The courthouse signifies the prosperity of Maryborough in the 1870s, when its wharves welcomed migrants coming to try their luck on the Gympie gold fields, and provided for the export of the mineral and agricultural products of the region, particularly timber, wool and sugar. The courthouse was situated well back from Wharf Street, close to Queens Park. It was built by J T Annear, who was also the mayor at the time. The courthouse was designed to house government offices on the ground floor and court facilities on the first floor. The corner towers provide separate staircases for individual functions. Judges and barristers entered at the north eastern end of the building from Bazaar Street via the pathway through Queens Park, known as Barrister’s Walk. Prisoners entered via the south eastern staircase from Richmond Street. The building was extensively remodelled in 1942.