MDCCCLXXXIV - Darlinghurst CourtHouse, Taylor Square, Sydney
Posted by: 
Tuena
S 33° 52.829 E 151° 13.062
56H E 335168 N 6249666
Roman Numerals depict the date of construction of Darlinghurst Courthouse.
Waymark Code: WMEBTX
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 05/04/2012
Views: 4
This Greek Revival building was the first purpose-built courthouse in New South Wales, and became the template for courthouse design throughout the colony for the next 60 years. The project also represented a major shift in the colony's approach to public works, for although convict labour was used to dig its foundations, most of the work was carried out by private contractors and sub-contractors. Indeed, this was partly the reason for the lengthy delays in completing the building, but gradually the sandstone edifice rose up, its pediment and pillars visible for miles around.
It was a singularly impressive achievement, a building which manifested the colony's architectural design capabilities, and its 'really good and handsome masonry', but also symbolised the changing nature of its society. If the nearby gaol was a visual reminder to people of the wages of sin, then the considerably more elegant courthouse was a suitably monumental and 'classical' signal of the importance of the rule of law, and the colony's ability to administer justice and civil authority.
Darlinghurst Court of General and Quarter Sessions became a court in the District Court Criminal and Special Jurisdiction, Sydney and Central Division in 1973.
Credit for the above: Dictionary of Sydney staff writer, 'Darlinghurst courthouse', Dictionary of Sydney, 2008, (
visit link) viewed 05 May 2012
Visit Instructions:
When logging a visit to a waymark in this category, please provide one or more photos taken by yourself, and note down your impressions and any background information you may have.