Preston Town Hall

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In 1885 Preston split from Jika Jika Shire to form the Preston Shire Council. Council offices were located at the Junction Hotel up until 1895 when the Preston Town Hall was built at its present day site on the corner of High St and Gower St. The council ran a competition to design the new building and plans for an eclectic blend of the Queen Anne and French Second Empire styles by the architects Birtwhistle and Scanlon was chosen. This design is particularly significant as most Town Halls in Melbourne conformed to a classical revival style. The 1880s were a time of great prosperity in Melbourne and the grandiose new Town Hall stood as a symbol for Preston’s civic aspirations. The foundation stone was laid in August 1893. The original design incorporated a magnificent clock tower which was unable to be built due to the financial crash of 1893 and subsequent depression. As a result of population expansion in the 1920s the former Town Hall was no longer a suitable facility. In 1929 a new Town Hall was built east of the original building which increased the size of the municipal buildings from 25 to 100 squares. Much of these extensions and a new façade were completed in 1934 and are exceptional in their stylistic unity with the original Birtwhistle and Scanlon design.

Image of Preston City Hall in 2005

Preston City Hall in 2005. [LHRN1809]

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Image of Preston City Hall can be seen to the right of this photograph circa 1930

Preston City Hall can be seen to the right of this photograph circa 1930. [LHRN1940]

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Image of Original plan for Preston Town Hall. The clock tower was never built [PHS]

Original plan for Preston Town Hall. The clock tower was never built [PHS] [LHRN90-239b]

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Image of The Preston library with the post office to the left and Town Hall on the right

The Preston library with the post office to the left and Town Hall on the right. [LHRN90-242]

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Image of Preston Town Hall in 1920s [PHS]

Preston Town Hall in 1920s [PHS] [LHRN90-248]

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Image of Preston Town Hall in 1930s [PHS]

Preston Town Hall in 1930s [PHS] [LHRN90-252-2]

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Image of The second floor being added to the library

The second floor being added to the library. [LHRN90-256]

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Image of Preston Town Hall circa 1930s (courtesy Mary Ritchie)

Preston Town Hall circa 1930s (courtesy Mary Ritchie) [LHRN2178]

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Image of Preston Town Hall [PHS]

Preston Town Hall [PHS] [LHRN1650]

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Image of Preston Town Hall in 1930s [PHS] [LHRN1649]

Preston Town Hall in 1930s [PHS] [LHRN1649]

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Image of Preston Town Hall in 2005.

Preston Town Hall in 2005. [LHRN1808]

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Image of Preston Town Hall during the 1980s.

Preston Town Hall during the 1980s. [LHRN1575]

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Image of Preston Town Hall circa 1980s

Preston Town Hall circa 1980s. [LHRN1759]

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Image of Preston Town Hall circa 1980s

Preston Town Hall circa 1980s. [LHRN1760]

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Image of Preston Councillor's Chambers circa 1980.

Preston Councillor's Chambers circa 1980. [LHRN1830]

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Image of Preston Town Hall lit up for Queen Elizabeth II, 1956 [PHS]

Preston Town Hall lit up for Queen Elizabeth II, 1956 [PHS] [LHRN1648]

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