The Mintaro Police Station was built during the important developmental phase of the town (1860s and 1870s). Increased traffic through the village necessitated greater protection for its residents and in 1868 the building was completed.
The property comprises of a main building, exercise yard, cell block and accompanying horse stables. It is sited upon an elevated block and a grand slate staircase leads to the front door. The main building has a central charge room (now a residential lounge room), two bedrooms and a kitchen. At the rear of the trooper’s residence are three cells and two bathrooms. A large exercise yard lies in between, completely surrounded by tall stone walls.
The building is constructed with slate and sandstone walls, slate flooring under the verandah, quoining and corrugated iron. The central projecting pavilion emphasises the front door and a recessed sandstone sign announces the Police Station.
This Police Station design was also used in Truro and Callington.[1]
Mintaro was a village without a police station for the first 18 years of its existence. It seems that the growing town was in need of police presence and townsfolk were annoyed with the government for being neglected. Due to increased concern for their welfare, a village petition raised awareness for the building of a police station and the procurement of a police trooper.
By August of 1867, an acre of land had been purchased for 50 pounds, the building designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office and the foundation stone laid. By February of 1868 the building was completed at a cost of 1100 pounds. The builder was W. Paterson.
