Macquarie Street
How many McQuarrie‘s critics never cease to winning out that he had virtually paid in rum for Sydneys second general hospital.
Looking back, it seems a brilliant street by the government to have acquired a huge public building for nothing, whatever that means employed.
The first General Hospital was in what is now lower George Street. By McQuarrie‘s time it was a filthy house of death. The governor then let the contract for a new one in McQuarrie Street to 3 men who had never built anything-
The governor then let the contract for a new one in McQuarrie Street to 3 men who had never built anything-
Darcy went Worth
-random black cell
– Alexander Riley
In return they were permitted to import 45,000 gallons of rum in three years.
This was almost a monopoly, but the three speculators do not seem to have made much profit on it.
The hospital, the first part of which was opened in 1916, was in three sections.
The present Sydney hospital stands on the side of the large central block, which was pulled down in 1879. To the north and the south of the main block with separate -surgeons quarters. The wing in the north still stands, as Parliament house.
It is a quite a mess of additions, tacked on to save space to cramped legislators. It’s twin the Southern building, which first housed the assistant surgeons, has escaped uglification. It stands at the top of Macquarie Street, it’s pillared facade admired as a fine relic of colonial design.
From 1885 to 1926 a branch of the Royal Mint worked there, producing the first New South Wales sovereign Beloved by collectors.
It now houses government departments, including ironically, the state housing commission.
The Mint in Sydney, also known as the Sydney Mint or the Rum Hospital, has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the city's colonial past, economic development, and architectural heritage. Here's an overview of its history:
Background and Construction:
- The Mint was originally established in response to the need for a reliable currency in the early colony of New South Wales, which suffered from a shortage of official coinage.
- The building that would become the Mint was originally intended to be the Rum Hospital, constructed using funds generated from the importation of rum.
Architectural Significance:
- The Rum Hospital (future Mint) was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, who was renowned for his neoclassical designs.
- The building's design was influenced by the classical architectural principles of symmetry, proportion, and grandeur.
Conversion to the Mint:
- The Rum Hospital was not used as a medical facility for long. In the 1850s, it was repurposed as the Sydney Mint to address the shortage of local coinage.
- The Mint was equipped with machinery to produce gold sovereigns and silver coins. It played a crucial role in providing a stable and official currency for the colony.
Coin Production:
- From 1855 to 1926, the Sydney Mint produced gold sovereigns, half-sovereigns, and other denominations of silver coins.
- The coins minted here had a significant impact on the local economy and trade, as well as contributing to the establishment of the Australian currency system.
Architectural Features:
- The building features a distinctive colonnaded facade with Doric columns and ornate detailing.
- The exterior of the building reflects the neoclassical style that Greenway favored in his designs.
Modern Uses:
- The Mint ceased its coin production operations in 1926, and the building went through various uses and renovations.
- In the 21st century, the Mint has been repurposed as a museum, showcasing its historical significance, the history of coin production, and the economic development of Australia.
Heritage Status:
- The Sydney Mint is a heritage-listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance.
The Sydney Mint's history reflects the evolution of colonial Sydney, from its early struggles for currency to its establishment as a reliable mint and its subsequent transformation into a museum that preserves the legacy of coin production and its impact on Australian society and economy.
