Detail of the Wrought Iron Verandah of the Former Ballarat Mining Exchange – Lydiard Street, Ballarat

            The former Mining Exchange, 6 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, is one of the few mining exchanges extant in Australia and is illustrative of a fundamental part of Ballarat's early history. The splendid two storey Victorian building of classical proportions and design was built between 1887 and 1889 to replace an earlier building on the site.  Designed by architect Charles Douglas Figgis, who also designed the Ballarat Presbyterian church, it is lined with forty offices, which were once bustling with mining agents, and share brokers.  It also housed shops along the ground floor, including Bickart’s Coffee Shop, whose elegantly painted windows with gilt lettering and bobbled curtain swags can still be seen today.  There is also a large single storey exchange hall at the rear. Architecturally the building is a most important example of Boom style Classicism. Its planning and form is almost unique and the detailing of the exchange is unusual and highly distinctive.  Prominent rusticated arches, elaborate window hoods and the parapet distinguish the facade. Light trusses, a bull nose roof and arched openings characterise the hall.  The ornate verandah seen today was painstakingly reconstructed from old photographs, and was replaced in 1987.

When it opened, the Mining Exchange had ninety-eight registered members.  However, as gold mining declined as the gold rush turned to bust, the elaborate Mining Exchange found a new life as a garage, a bus depot, and today is a craft market.

Taken in: Australia / Victoria / Ballarat / Bakery Hill (show map)

Taken on: March 7, 2010

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Victoria

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Charles Douglas Figgis

Charles Figgis

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wrought iron fretwork

Wrought iron lacework

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Sets appears in: • Victoriana • Ballarat the Victorian Gold Rush City more » • The Former Ballarat Mining Exchange « less

Groups appears in: • Architecture • Melbourne and Beyond more » • Architecture and Buildings • Historic Australia 1788-1901 • architectural photography • Victorianism • Architectural details and decorative elements • BEAUTIFUL DETAIL (In the Work of the Skilled-Artisan) • Victoria, Australia • Old Buildings & More..... • Buildings and Sculptures • 1888 Building Year • Victorian Architecture • Opulence & Other Fancy Things. • IMAGE`S OF BUILDINGS - OLD AND NEW • Building Dates • Central Victoria, Australia • Historical Buildings and Landmarks (No Limits) • Architecture of Days Gone By • Ballarat • Architecture Directory • Great Architecture • Old Buildings and Structures • Beauty in the World of Details • 100 Year-Old Buildings • Great Buildings • They Dont Make Them Like They Used To • Architectural Beauty ! • Visual Delight • Metallic Objects~Admin Invite Only! Post 1 - Comment 1 • IRON DETAILS (Post 1 Award 1) • Buildings - Around the World • WONDERFUL WORLD OF BUILDINGS / ARCHITECTURE (P1 / A1 ) • ₪ HISTORY & MYSTERY Society ₪ Add 1 | Award 3 • Australian Postcard • anno year • School of Digital Photography • The Victorian Age. • ****BEAUTIFUL FLICKR COMPOSITION**** • The Victorian World • Antique Architectural Details « less

Camera: Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS, f/4.9, 1/160 sec, 18.6mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon DIGITAL IXUS 80 IS
Aperture:	f/4.9
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/160)
Focal Length:	18.6mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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