Historical information

The Circuit Court House buildings were located in Lydiard Street Ballarat. By 1862 the Ballarat Gaol was completed, including a tunnel connecting the Gaol to the Court House. The original initiative for the founding of the Ballarat School of Mines was taken at a meeting of the Ballarat Mining Board on 6 October 1869. The Provisional Ballarat School of Mines Council applied to the Government for the lease of the former Circuit Court House. It was approved for a 15 year period at one shilling per annum. The official opening of the Ballarat School of Mines by its first President, Sir Redmond Barry, was held 26 October 1870 in the former Circuit Court House, Lydiard Street Ballarat. Conversions were made to accommodate the new role it was to play. On 14 December 1912, demolition of the former Circuit Court House commenced. In 1915, Ballarat Technical Art School opened on the site of the former Circuit Court House.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of the Circuit Court House, Lydiard Street South Ballarat. Brick building with veranda across the front. This is supported by 5 groups of columns. Main section is two storey with single storey wing on either side. Arched window in centre of top storey, directly above double doorway. Features pillar effect in brick/stone across the front.