HERITAGE BUILDINGS OF BROKEN HILL
CARRINGTON HALL AND CHAMBERS
was built in 1888 and named for Lord Carrington, the Governor of New South Wales (1885-1890),who visited Broken Hill in the year the building was erected.
The Governor came here by the more difficult overland route through Wilcannia instead of the popular and comfortable, though longer route through Melbourne and Adelaide.
At one time all the buildings between the Australian Club Hotel and the National Bank of Australia (numbered 227 to 249 ) including the Hall and Chambers were referred to as the Carrington Buildings.
Only a few scattered references has been found regarding the use of the Hall and Chambers.
on Sunday,18,May,1890,the Rev. Butine conducted the first Presbyterian Church service in the hall and continued to hold services there each Sunday for a period.
A meeting was held in the hall on 17 June,1890 at which the y.m.c.a. was formed.(It started in a shop in Oxide Street and lasted a few months.
The 1891 Barrier Miner Business Directory lists for Carrington Chambers (going South)-
Andrew D. newsagent.
Gibbs J. Carrington Shades Restaraunt.
Coombe T.& Co.,ironmongers.
Harris, Scarfe & Co. Hardware merchants, Day F. Local agent.
Wilkinson H.L. Solicitor.
BARRIER MINER,17 JANUARY,1891 THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB
A few weeks ago a movement was started to established a Working Men's Club.
A provisional committee was formed with Mr. Triplet of the BRSC and SH Union an acting secretary, anf rooms were secured at the basement of Carrington Hall.
There are two rooms, one fitted with tables supplied with magazines and newspapers, a piano is provided and refreshments available at a private bar. A second smaller room is for playing draughts, chess, etc. Last night the club was formally opened by a smoke social. A meeting is to be held next week for the election of officers.
BARRIER MINER, 13 JANUARY,1892-MARRIAGE the first Jewish marriage that has taken place in Broken Hill was celebrated at the Carrington Hall this afternoon, when Mr Mark Tedesche was united to Miss Rose Goldman by the Rev. J.D. Goldstein of Sandhurst, Victoria.
The 1910 Insurance Plan shows on the north side Fielder Bros.Ham shop and refreshment rooms and a restaurant in the basement, and on the south side,Brokenshire, Photographer with office on the first floor.
In 1936 the Singer Sewing Machine Depot occupied the shop formerly used by Brokenshire.
In 1991 the Broken Hill Credit Union were on the ground floor and the Chamber of Commerce had an office upstairs.
Early in 1998 the Credit Union vacated the building and moved to the former R.S.L.building on the corner of Chloride and Crystal Streets.
CARRINGTON HALL PATTON STREET BROKEN HILL--This is in Patton Street and adjoined M.R. Wake's Carrington Hall Hotel (1891 Barrier Miner Business Directory).The hotel was better known as the South Broken Hill Hotel and now as the Baylin Hotel. The hall has also been known as Wake's Hall, Heggarty Hall, etc. after the various Licensees of the Hotel.
It was built about the same time as the Argent Street hall of the same name and was used for all types of entertainment.
In 1893 it was converted for use as a skating a skating but later reverted to its original use and functions are still occasionally held there.
Argent House
This was erected as the two- storey Australian Club Hotel by James Coombe in 1888 and delicensed in 1941.
The building was renovated in 1946 to provide offices accomodation and renamed Argent House.
The original two-storey verandah was removed and an imitation brick façade added in about 1960.
COURTHOUSE
This was erected in 1889. It was opened in January 1890 by Sir Sir Henry Parkes.
The building is typical NSW late Victorian design and features a two-story section with single-storey side wings and wide verandah. An elaborate pre-Federation coat-of-arms decorates the central section.
Additions have been made to the building but the interior is original and intact.
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