Herries Private Hospital

There is conflicting evidence about the origins of this building: either it had been a shop in Cooktown or a private home, or possibly both. Reputedly, it was relocated to Cairns around 1920 by the land owner Francis Blucher. He then leased it to Matron Janet Herries who transferred her hospital services here in August 1920. Matron Herries offered maternity services as well as general nursing. Her hospital holds warm memories for many Cairns residents who were born or were hospitalised here through to 1939. During this time, the house was damaged by the 1927 cyclone and repairs included the enclosure of verandas with windows and wooden louvres. Matron Herries purchased the property in 1932. An air raid shelter was erected in the yard during WWII. After her retirement in 1939, Matron Herries continued to live in the house until her death in 1958. Her son Charles stayed on until 1996. The property then fell into disrepair and in an effort to protect the remaining fabric much of the building was wrapped in plastic. In mid-2013 the owners embarked on a restoration project, completed in 2014. This is a private home and not publically accessible.