Have you ever taken a walk around Gympie and admired the vast array of historical buildings and landmarks? These landmarks each have an interesting history, well worth learning about. 

Town Hall 

The Gympie Town Hall before the extension was added. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection 

The Gympie Town Hall after the extension was added.  Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

The Town Hall was designed by brothers John and George Clarke, but only the western wing and clock tower were built initially. The work was completed in 1890 by builder Joseph Jew (who was supervised by well-known local architect Hugo Du Rietz). Town Hall was officially opened on the 4^th of March 1891 by Mr William Smyth. The extension to the side of the building was added in 1937-38.  This building was used as the Gympie Shire Council chambers for many years.  

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The Stock Exchange Building 

The Gympie Stock Exchange Building ca 1890. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

One of only a handful of Stock Exchanges ever built outside of Brisbane, the Gympie Stock Exchange was constructed in 1881 as a result of the huge wealth generated in the Gympie region by the Gold Rush. The Stock Exchange eventually closed in 1923.  

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The Court House 

The Gympie Courthouse before the clock was added, ca 1901. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

The Gympie Courthouse after the clock was added, ca 1945. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

The Court House (pictured) was the third courthouse to be built in Gympie. It was built around 1901 and cost 6000 Australian pounds to build. The clock was added to the tower as an addition in 1945. 

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The Art Gallery (formerly known as the School of Arts) 

The School of Arts building, ca 1905. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

The Gympie Art Gallery, 2016. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

The Art Gallery was designed by local architect Hugo Du Rietz and it was officially built in 1905. It cost 1600 Australian pounds to build. This building was home to the School of Arts and library for nearly seventy years. In 1998, the library moved to Mellor Street and the building became the Gympie Regional Gallery.  

The St Patricks Church 

The St Patricks Church, Gympie. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

A horse and cart waiting outside the St Patrick’s church, ca 1901. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

This iconic church was built between 1883 and 1885. Local sandstone was used to build it. The whole building cost 20,000 Australian pounds.  

Northumberland Hotel No. 2

The former Northumberland Hotel (Number 2), pre 1969. Photograph source: Gympie Library Photograph Collection. 

The Northumberland Hotel was licensed from the 14^th of January 1868. This picture shows the 2^nd version of the hotel, which tragically burnt down on the 21^st of January 1969. The hotel no longer exists. The hotel site is now home to Council offices. 

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Do you have any stories or photos from Gympie’s History that you would like to share? Come visit our Local History Officer at the Gympie Library.  

References: 

• Cooloola Shire Library Service. (2001). Cooloola Shire…A golden past. Gympie: Cooloola Shire Council. p.63.