Thursday 30 April 2015

Struan House, Launceston. Tasmania.

So amazing as one starts researching a building, you never know what you will find.  This is such the case for me.
I was passing by the Supreme Court here in Launceston so took some photos with my phone, and wanting to find out what year it was built.

Built in 1870-1871 for the wealthy Scottish Colonist James Robertson who was against bringing convicts to Australia.


In 1893 the building was used as a private maternity hospital and in 1929 was acquired by the Tasmanian Government for use by the Launceston Supreme Court.

Note the Arch!
A boyfriend long ago, had to take me to the Police Station. My late dad was a Detective Sergeant at that time, so he was working evening duty.  The Police Station  was behind the building.
It was there underneath that Arch I had my first kiss :)




Amazing, same Arch today.


Apparently there is some stained glass somewhere. The building has certainly changed.


The left side of the building where the arch is.


Across the road.


Down the street opposite the Supreme Court.


The Launceston City Clock


Looking the opposite way.

29 comments:

  1. What a romantic tale. It's rather nice to mix state and personal history like that. I like the views around town, especially the clock although I kept being distracted by the lady with the big white hair!

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    1. Fortunately I could mix the two, not often that happens, then I've been around a long time now :)
      Ih that women's hair - now that is something within itself :) Least she detracts from the pole.

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  2. That's quite something when you think about it as someone's family home. And what a special spot for a first kiss! Mine was very awkward in the front seat of a car after a school dance. Your autumn colors are beautiful.

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    1. Yes, part of the history of Launceston and the uses for the fine building over the years.
      Good place in the front seat of the car, those were the days!

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  3. A momentous moment remembered and shared, so sweet.

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  4. Awwww, what a sweet memory of the boyfriend under the arch. That's quite a building, by the way.

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  5. Aaaaaaaaaaaaah! What a romantic you are - very good.
    I believe my first smooch or "pash" was in a horse yard.
    No it wasn't a horse - ha ha.
    I think we were about 5 years old. I wonder what happened to
    dear Carolyn? ( See I even remembered her name - after some
    thinking of those days way back then).

    The citizens of Launceston are certainly civic proud.
    Cheers
    Colin
    PS: It has been raining here heavily at times since midnight.
    Anyone need any rain?- please come and collect it.

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    1. :) lucky I remembered.
      Gosh in a horse yard, now that wasn't romantic - or was it! Must have been impressive for you to remember it only being about 5 years old. Sounds so sweet.
      I do believe the Council is proud to keep the City in top shape.

      Yes, we need rain and heaps of it, it's so dry down here, but rain will come soon.


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  6. Beautiful building and a sweet memory of your first kiss. Looks like you had a gorgeous day to be out. The clock tower is pretty also.

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    1. Was a wonderful day out, weather is beautiful at the moment with much rain needed which will come eventually.

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks Gosia...not a lot of colour in the leaves when it comes to Autumn, our native trees I mean.

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  8. First kiss! Looks very romantic under the arch. :-)

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  9. Replies
    1. Buildings have walls and have so many stories to tell.

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  10. What a lovely connection to the building. The building seems to have been substantially altered from the original.

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    1. Andrew,
      Good history and I wonder if the building was altered for the hospital....Can't seem to find any record of that.

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  11. I love seeing buildings, architecture, stores and views, etc., in other parts of the world. Beautiful!

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  12. Love old buildings and they all have stories to tell.
    First kiss under the arch, just a perfect place.
    Merle............

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    1. They do have many stories to tell, if only walls could talk :)

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  13. this post is really informative. Thanks.

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  14. I think Struan House was also used as the 12th AG Hospital for returning wounded during WW I - although I may be wrong. All I know is that the hospital was in Cameron Street, and since Struan was already a private hospital, it seems to make sense, since I can't seem to find any other venue where it may have been. I had a relative who worked there as a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse during that time.
    Combine young soldiers and young nurses and you may not have been the only one kissing under that arch! ;-)

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    1. You may be correct on the hospital being used for returned wounded. I 'think' I read about that when researching.
      You would be correct about the Arch :)

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  15. I have been researching Tartarian buildings and history and these buildings certainly look Tartarian. Mysteries we cannot explain in our history.

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