Sunday, 23 May 2010

Darlinghurst, police station

 The former police station in the inner city suburb of Darlinghurst is now used as a Community Health Centre. Located behind Taylor Square, it sits on the corner of Bourke Street and Forbes Street, opposite Darlinghurst Court House and the old Darlinghurst Gaol.
Linked to: Scenic Sunday.

28 comments:

  1. J Bar, great shot. Yes, I used to live in Sydney at 122-124 Burton Street, right across from Green Park. You always bring good memories. I lived there for a year. Loved the city and people I met there.

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  2. This is a terrific area for a phototgrapher, Jim. The state logo on the old police station is one of the most impressive of which Sydney has many.

    I will check out 122 - 124 Burton today as I have to walk right past. Must be down a bit, as RIGHT opposite Green Park is the Sydney Jewish Museum. I shall report back.

    PS really really impressed by the lack of people in this shot, JB. It is an arvo shot judging by the shadows, and this area teems with people from lunchtime onwards.

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  3. I think I'd like it as a house. Do you think they'd notice if we just moved in?

    Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia

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  4. Nice photo of a place I have never noticed.

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  5. Luis Gomez, if you lived in the area, then you should like more of the shots that I have coming up this week.

    Julie, it was a hot Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, so I was able to find a moment when there weren't any people strolling past. That's virtually impossible at most other times.

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  6. What a fantastic building. My husband is a police officer, I bet he'd rather be working in this magical building.
    From Alissa@Craftalicious-Caper

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  7. Back in Brisbane again, Jim.

    I like this building, especially the stone emblem on the fascia.

    Surely, it was much too good for a cop shop.

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  8. Great shot of a beautiful old building.

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  9. Bill, yeah the sandstone carving is impressive to me. They went to a lot of trouble to make all buildings look great in those days, even the cop shops. I'm sure your trip to Sydney was a joy with the new addition to your family.

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  10. Yes I noticed that most of your photos don't have people in them, Jim, and wondered how you do it!
    That is a wonderful old building, and a great shot.
    Thanks for stopping by mine, I appreciate your comment.

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  11. It's great that some of these old places are still around

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  12. I love this round-shaped building. It's like a mini-castle in a fairy tale!

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  13. What an interesting police station! Around here they're always in generic, modern buildings.

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  14. Hi Jim, well composed photo. very professional. I spent my 21st birthday (D & D)in the lockup there. Below street level, hand-hewn sandstone block walls, one open air ironbarred window opening at ground level to the footpath. But I was too drunk, then too hungover to appreciate it. I'm going back there in march to reminisce. Don't know what they use my old cell for now.

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  15. Anonymous, that's an interesting way to spend your 21st birthday. :)

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  16. I started my career as a policeman in that building in 1983. Magnificent but poorly maintained. Underground carpark was condemned. The big round room at the face of this pic was the First Class Sergeants office of that time. There used to be a vertical "Police" sign outside the front door at 311 Bourke Street. The only Police sign like it in NSW. The building had the only padded cell in the state!

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  17. Parramatta Police Staion also had a padded cell in the when I was in the NSWP in the 1960s.

    No.9 Div.

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  18. The building is now part of South East Health with the HARP Unit moving in this week. My good friend is one of the new occupants.

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  19. I served in the Police Force as it was known in those days. First day of duty was 16 Dec 1974 until 22 Jan 1979. Worked with all the celebrities of the time including Roger Roggerson. Darlo did have a padded cell but was not the only one in the state. Central also had a padded cell. Front section was eaten out by whiteants when I started and the charge room was located at the rear of the building until about 1976 then moved back to the side entrance. Front round section was muster room and rosters. First floor was Bumper Farrells office then detectives. Trafiic section on Bourke Street upper level. Cells were decrepid back in those days...had to hold your breath to run thtough and open rear door for drunks truck. Stench was really bad...would never be tolerated in todays police station. Had a fantastic carreer at old Darlo then went to HWP and rode motor cycles for the next 20 years till I retired in 1999. Would love to revisit the old police station one day. CORCO

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  20. I served two tours at darlo, 1969 - 1972 as a constable then returned 1985 - 1986 as a sergeant. This old place had character. I worked traffic duties, general duties whilst at darlo and often relieved at the old Kings Cross police station situated under the Crest hotel. Those were the days, if you told someone to do something they complied, not like today when these young thugs backanswer and give cheek. I worked the last afternoon shift when darlo closed in 1985 and then backed up for the first shift at SPC Surry Hills. After 30 yrs NSW police, I served for 16yrs as a Senior Inspector with AQIS policing Australias strict quarantine laws.

    Roy Galloway

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