State heritage item data
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Name:
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Bourke Wharf and adjacent site
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Other names:
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Designer:
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Builder:
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Material types:
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Year construction started:
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Year construction completed:
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Modification dates:
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Physical condition:
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Physical description:
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A timber wharf has been reconstructed to match one of the original three wharfs that served in the paddle boat days. This was the site of the first commercial and social buildings in Bourke, including the Palais Royal, the Bijou, A. Caro's Western Emporium and the Darling Stores.
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Historical notes:
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The original Bourke Wharfs ( no longer standing) were built around 1898, and the first crane used there in 1889. It was at this bend in the the river, that there once was also a punt, to enable people to cros the river. The punt continued in use right up till recent times, carrying golfers acros to the Riverview Golf Club.However, back at the beginning of the township of Bourke, Joseph Becker built a store, the first commercial store, on the opposite corner to this one for A. Ross & Co. In 1871 they decided to construct a more prestigious building and so built, on this site, a new bonded store, with the 'Palais Royal' (dance hall) behind, and large cellars beneath. It also included a skating rink. By 1890 Albert E. Caro owned the premises and had opened his 'Darling Stores'. He was a general merchant for supplies to Bourke, Nyngan and Louth. William Haslep Sutton worked in this store and in the Palais royal.This was also the year of a great flood in Bourke, when Dr Samuleson used the dance hall section as a hospital.These were stern days when traffic of any kind was not permitted to cross the darling on a Sunday. After Caro, Weisberger (another Jewish merchant) owned the building for a time. During this period a Mr Collings, who had a bicycle repair shop lived and worked there. In 1929 it was the premises of W.H. Morrison and Co, and later was bought by Beaurepair's, who demolished the original 'stores' building around 1965 and built the present structure.
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Statement of significance:
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This particular site is one of the most significant sites in the history of Bourke. Beside it stood the two dwellings of Sly and Becker that existed before Bourke was surveyed. It was known to the settlers as the 18 Mile point, 18 miles to Mt. Oxley, and was called 'Wortiemurtie' by the local aboriginals, meaning 'high bank'.
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Current use:
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Wharf (rebuilt to match original)
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Former use:
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Wharfs (three off) demolished.
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Group name:
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Group name 2:
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Transport - Water
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Type name:
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Built
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Category name:
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Wharf
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Circa flag:
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No
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Further information:
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Recommended
management:
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