Country Courthouse

We spent some time today looking at impressive historic architecture in the northern NSW town of Inverell. My blip today is the Inverell courthouse, which dates from 1886. The architect was the NSW Colonial Architect, James Barnet. Born in Scotland, he came to NSW in 1854 and held the position for 25 years from 1865 to 1890. He is credited with hundreds of significant buildings during that time. One I have blipped previously is the Byron Bay Lighthouse.

It seems to me that the Inverell courthouse has a flamboyant, verging on frivolous, architectural style. By contrast, the courthouse in Hay, NSW, which I blipped on 16 January this year, designed by Barnet's successor WL Vernon, has a more sombre, almost threatening, presence.