The first Court House was brought from Pine Hill in 1887 and sited on the corner of Beech and Elm Streets. This site was occupied by the Police Mounted Infantry Corps during the 1891 shearers’ strike.
In 1907, the Barcaldine Chamber of Commerce received a reply to their letter (lobbying for a new court house) from the Under-Secretary, Department of Justice. It made clear that a new court house was not in the department’s budget.
Yet less than a year later, tenders had been called for a new Court House. Meacham & Leyland were awarded the contract.
I have to inform you that the records of this department show that the present building, though old, is in a good state of repair and large enough for the Police Court requirements at present. There is an excellent jury room surrounded with verandah, and the offices for the use of Justices and the Clerk of Petty Sessions are all that can be desired, being convenient, well ventilated, with good light and affording ample room. The court room is also well ventilated and the light good. In view of these facts it sis therefore considered that the necessity does not exist for the erection of a new Court House at Barcaldine.
The current Court House in Ash Street was built in 1908 at a cost of £966. It was announced that a police magistrate would take up residence in Barcaldine, and H. J. Macalister arrived in July 1908 before the Court House was built.
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AFTER
The Court House was the official polling place for electors to vote in elections. It is still sometimes used as a polling place.
Court House - a story of old
The witness stand in the Court House is a very comfortable affair, very unlike the old Baptist Church style of pulpit in the old building. The witness has a comfortable seat, with a ledge in front for his papers, &c. However, the varnish was scarcely dry on Wednesday, and Mr Doran had made himself very comfortable for the several hours he occupied the stand. The Court adjourned at 1 o'clock, but Doran moved not. "You can go till 2 o'clock", said the sergeant. "Can I", replied Doran. "Thanks: do you think I want to be charged with indecent exposure: isn't it enough to lose my cattle?" It was then found that Doran was firmly glued to the seat, and it took the united efforts of the Sergt, Constable Quinlan and a crowbar to liberate the unfortunate witness without destroying his pants. Doran tells the incident himself, so it must be true.
Today's Court House
In February 2000, a Queensland Government Agency Program opened an office in the Court House to provide a centre to access advice on financial matters including wills, passports, ambulance subscriptions, and to explain new technology.
