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Prince Alfred Square is a park on the northern side of the
Parramatta River The Parramatta River is an intermediate tide-dominated, drowned valley estuary located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. With an average depth of , the Parramatta River is the main tributary of Sydney Harbour, a branch of Port Jackson. Se ...
in the
central business district A central business district (CBD) is the commercial and business centre of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides with the "city ...
of
Parramatta Parramatta () is a suburb and major Central business district, commercial centre in Greater Western Sydney, located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately west of the Sydney central business district on the ban ...
. It is one of the oldest public parks in
New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
and is listed on the
New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...
. St Patrick's Cathedral is located directly opposite the square to the west. The park site was the site of Parramatta's second gaol (1804 - 1841) and first female factory (1804-1821). Prisoners were transferred to the new
Parramatta Gaol The Parramatta Correctional Centre is a heritage-listed former medium security prison for males on the corner of O'Connell and Dunlop Streets, North Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was in operation between 1798 and 2011. Th ...
upon opening in 1842 and the gaol was subsequently demolished. It was authorised as a 'village green' for the people of Parramatta by Governor Bourke on 27 November 1837, and was referred to as the old Gaol Green or Hanging Green by local townspeople. A perimeter fence was subsequently erected and games such as
cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by st ...
were played. The oldest plantings in the park include Moreton Bay figs, a camphor laurel and a Bunya pine that date from the mid Victorian period (c.1869-70s). It was named 'Alfred Square' in 1868 to commemorate the visit of Prince Alfred, Australia's first Royal visitor, during which he visited
Parramatta Parramatta () is a suburb and major Central business district, commercial centre in Greater Western Sydney, located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately west of the Sydney central business district on the ban ...
. It was added to the
New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...
on 28 August 2017.


History


Occupation of Parramatta by the Aboriginal peoples

Aboriginal people have occupied the Parramatta region for tens of thousands of years. Evidence of their occupation can be found in the form of rock shelters with deposits, open campsites,
midden A midden (also kitchen midden or shell heap) is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, mollusc shells, potsherds, lithics (especially debitage), and other artifacts and eco ...
s, axe-grinding groove sites,
scarred trees A scarred tree or scar tree, also known as a canoe tree and shield tree, is a tree which has had bark removed by Aboriginal Australians for the creation of bark canoes, shelters, weapons such as shields, tools, traps, containers (such as coola ...
,
hand stencil In archaeology, Cave paintings are a type of parietal art (which category also includes petroglyphs, or engravings), found on the wall or ceilings of caves. The term usually implies prehistoric art, prehistoric origin, and the oldest known are mor ...
s and drawings. In pre-colonial times, Parramatta would have been very attractive to Aboriginal people as the landscape would have supported a wide variety of plant and animal life. The
City of Parramatta The City of Parramatta, also known as Parramatta Council, is a local government area located west of central Sydney in the Greater Western Sydney region. Parramatta Council is situated between the City of Ryde and Cumberland, where the Cumberl ...
is located on
Parramatta River The Parramatta River is an intermediate tide-dominated, drowned valley estuary located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. With an average depth of , the Parramatta River is the main tributary of Sydney Harbour, a branch of Port Jackson. Se ...
at what is effectively the head of
Sydney Harbour Port Jackson, consisting of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove River, Lane Cove and Parramatta River, Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or harbor, natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. T ...
. Permanent fresh water was available in the river upstream of the tidal limit and fresh water would also have been available from creeks and surface waterholes, in more clayey parts of the sand terrace. Aboriginal people living in this location would have had access to freshwater and saltwater food resources such as: ducks, eels, shellfish, crayfish, fish and turtles. Terrestrial resources in the Parramatta area included woodland and grassland mammals such as: kangaroos, possums and flying foxes. The grassy woodlands would also have provided access to smaller animals and insects and to native fruits, berries, seeds, yams and roots. Parramatta CBD, at the time of European settlement, is thought to have been the territorial lands of the
Burramattagal The Dharug or Darug people, formerly known as the Broken Bay tribe, are an Aboriginal Australian people, who share strong ties of kinship and, in pre-colonial times, lived as skilled hunters in family groups or clans, scattered throughout much ...
(also spelt Boromedegal, Boora me di-gal, Booramedegal and Burramedigal). The Burramattagal appear to have belonged to a larger cultural group that extended across western
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mounta ...
, although exact language group affilitations of pre-contact groups in the Parramatta region is open to some debate. Much of our knowledge about the traditional life style of Aboriginal people living in the Parramatta CBD area is reliant on archaeological investigation, as the Burramatta People (as a distinct population group) disappeared very soon after European settlement of the area. European settlers, attracted to Parramatta for its fertile soils and its suitability for water transport, began arriving in the region in the late 18th Century. Parramatta quickly became the focus of residential, commercial and industrial development. The establishment of the town of Parramatta and cultivation of the surrounding land, would have resulted in many Aboriginal sites being disturbed or destroyed without being recorded. To date only a relatively few Aboriginal sites have been recorded in the Parramatta local government area. It is believed the site of Prince Alfred Square was a Burramatta women's site.


Early colonial history

This area is indicated as the site of Governor Phillip's government farm "Land in Cultivation" on a plan of Parramatta 1790.Bonwick transcripts, reproduced in Kass et al, 1996, p 2 The Government Farm was run by superintendent Henry Dodd, and produced some of the first successful crops in the colony. It is uncertain how long this portion of land remained under cultivation before it was chosen as the site of Parramtta's permanent gaol in 1802. In 1796, Governor John Hunter was committed to building much-wanted gaols in Sydney and Parramatta. Lack of masons and the need for urgent action convinced him to build in double log and thatch and he issued a "General Order" which required every settler and householder to furnish and deliver "ten logs weekly each". The first formal gaol in Parramatta was in George Street was probably complete by May 1797. The construction of the 100 ft long building was basic but the plan, with individual cells for prisoners (twenty-two), was up with the latest English concept. It was destroyed by fire on 28 December 1799. Construction of a new Parramatta Gaol finally began in August 1802. It was located on the north side of the river, slightly away from the town, on what is now the Prince Alfred Square/Market Street site. The plan was a modest variant of an army barrack; a symmetrical plan with a central transverse corridor and wards to the left and right and cells at both ends with external access. The rear wall of the gaol formed part of the perimeter wall so there was no external access. The construction of the gaol was the responsibility of Rev
Samuel Marsden Samuel Marsden (25 June 1765 – 12 May 1838) was an English-born priest of the Church of England in Australia and a prominent member of the Church Missionary Society, believed to have introduced Christianity to New Zealand. Marsden was a prom ...
. Of all the early ashlar stone buildings in NSW, the second Parramatta Gaol was probably the one that deteriorated the most rapidly and required the most frequent repair and reconstruction.Kerr, 1995, pp 1-2 At some time during construction, Governor King decided to add a "linen and woollen manufactory" to the gaol. The layout of the complex consisted of two functionally separate precincts; gaol to the south and factory to the north. Access to the second floor factory was via a yard that also contained auxiliary workrooms and sheds set against the perimeter wall, and was the domain of female convicts. The gaol and factory was completed in 1804. Poorly constructed of sandstone for the ground floor of the Gaol and timber upper floor for the Factory, with a sandstone perimeter wall. Sheds and subsidiary buildings used as work areas, particularly as "rope walks" for spinning flax rope. The second floor of the second gaol built at that location " a two-storey stone structure consisting of two, 80 by 20 foot (5.5 by 6 metre) rooms " was allocated to female convicts and was called "The factory above the gaol". It was a wool and linen factory where women worked by day and it served as their refuge by night. From its inception, then, the factory was intended to be a place where women who had not been immediately assigned to masters upon arrival in New South Wales were gainfully employed in tasks that were beneficial to the colony, and where corrupting influences could be kept at bay. In reality, this space was inadequate for achieving all of its aims as the majority of factory women could not find shelter there. Floggings took place within the gaol yard and executions took place outside the gaol, probably in the empty ground to the north of the complex. Stocks at the entrance were used to punish minor offenders. Hangings took place at the gaol from 1804 -, including on 8 March 1804 three men identified as ringleaders in the
Castle Hill convict rebellion The Castle Hill convict rebellion was an 1804 convict rebellion in the Castle Hill area of Sydney, against the colonial authorities of the British colony of New South Wales. The rebellion culminated in a battle fought between convicts and the ...
(Battle of Vinegar Hill) - convicts Samuel Hughs, Samuel Humes and John Place, as well as free settler Charles Hill for his participation in the rebellion. Samuel Humes was also gibbeted, in which the body is hung in chains from the gallows as a deterrence to others. The factory continued to function until December 1807 when both factory and gaol were damaged by fire.Kerr, 1995, pp 3-4 The factory reopened in May 1809. The following decades included a series of reports regarding the structural deficiencies of the building. A larger space for the women was not forthcoming until 1817 when
Governor Macquarie Major General Lachlan Macquarie, CB (; gd, Lachann MacGuaire; 31 January 1762 – 1 July 1824) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Scotland. Macquarie served as the fifth Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821, an ...
started arranging the design and construction of a new purpose-built barracks for female convicts. In 1821 the women were transferred to the new
Parramatta Female Factory The Parramatta Female Factory, is a National Heritage Listed place and has three original sandstone buildings and the sandstone gaol walls. The Parramatta Female Factory was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway in 1818 and the only f ...
designed by
Francis Greenway Francis Howard Greenway (20 November 1777 – September 1837) was an English-born architect who was transported to Australia as a convict for the crime of forgery. In New South Wales he worked for the Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, as Australia' ...
and located further up the Parramatta River on land previously granted to Governor Bligh. Before 1823 James Williamson had the area on a lease. By 1830, Major Lockyer applied for land near the gaol on behalf of the School of Industry for the site of an institution, but
Surveyor-General A surveyor general is an official responsible for government surveying in a specific country or territory. Historically, this would often have been a military appointment, but it is now more likely to be a civilian post. The following surveyor gen ...
Major Thomas Mitchell opposed the alienation of the land for this purpose. In 1833, the gaol was described as in a "falling state". Rather than undertaking major work, the building was shored up until a new gaol could be built.Kerr, 1995, pp 5-7


Victorian history

In 1837, Governor Bourke decided that the land should be measured for a reserve for the townspeople. It was authorised as a "village green" on 27 November 1837 and covered an area of more than three acres. Locals still referred to it as Gaol Green or Hanging Green. From 1836-9 Lennox Bridge was built nearby, linking Church Street north and south. In 1842 the new
Parramatta Gaol The Parramatta Correctional Centre is a heritage-listed former medium security prison for males on the corner of O'Connell and Dunlop Streets, North Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was in operation between 1798 and 2011. Th ...
opened and all prisoners are transferred from the old gaol. The land was levelled and fenced but complaints were made in 1853 that this ground which was set aside as a promenade was being used as a rubbish dump. The difficulty of maintaining and developing communal spaces was soon to be improved by the introduction of the new Municipalities Act 1858, which localised government and gave the subsequent council the authority to allocate funds to improve community services and spaces. On 27 November 1861, the Municipality of Parramatta was proclaimed and by January 1862 Parramatta had its first mayor.Kass et al., 1996 p180 On 10 February 1868 Parramatta was visited by Prince Alfred, Australia's first Royal visitor, as part of a six-month tour of Australian colonies. Alfred was the second son of then
Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days was longer than that of any previ ...
, and Duke of Edinburgh (he lived 1844-1900). On 31 August 1869 the "Old Gaol Green" was renamed "Alfred Square" to commemorate his visit. In September 1869, the land known for many years as the "Gaol Green" was planted with trees by members of the 'tree planting committee' comprising Councillors and local school children. The Bunya pine (''
Araucaria bidwillii ''Araucaria bidwillii'', commonly known as the bunya pine and sometimes referred to as the false monkey puzzle tree, is a large evergreen coniferous tree in the plant family Araucariaceae. It is found naturally in south-east Queensland Aust ...
''), pepper tree (''
Schinus areira ''Schinus molle'' (Peruvian pepper, also known as American pepper, Peruvian peppertree, escobilla, false pepper, rosé pepper, molle del Peru, pepper tree, (Archived bWebCite peppercorn tree, California pepper tree, pirul (in Mexican Spanish s ...
''), camphor laurels (''
Cinnamomum camphora ''Camphora officinarum'' is a species of evergreen tree that is commonly known under the names camphor tree, camphorwood or camphor laurel. Description ''Camphora officinarum'' is native to China south of the Yangtze River, Taiwan, southern ...
'') and Moreton Bay figs (''
Ficus macrophylla ''Ficus macrophylla'', commonly known as the Moreton Bay fig or Australian banyan, is a large evergreen banyan tree of the family Moraceae native to eastern Australia, from the Wide Bay–Burnett region in the north to the Illawarra in New ...
'') seen today were probably planted at this time or soon after. By 1871, the council also opened tenders for Alfred Square "for the purpose of depasturing stock" and "carting". The council even considered the area for the location of the greatly desired and much needed
Parramatta Town Hall The Parramatta Town Hall is a heritage register, heritage-listed town hall located in the Greater Western Sydney suburb of , New South Wales, Australia. Designed by Messrs Blackmann and Parkes in the Victorian architecture, Victorian Classical ar ...
before the current site (the old market site in Church Street) was deemed more suitable.Kass et al. 1996 p182 In 1874, the Council was gazetted as Trustees of the reserve.Jervis, 1961, p 53 Since its foundation at this time the square has been managed by
Parramatta City Council The City of Parramatta, also known as Parramatta Council, is a local government area located west of central Sydney in the Greater Western Sydney region. Parramatta Council is situated between the City of Ryde and Cumberland, where the Cumberla ...
. Alfred Square was a vibrant community space that hosted a wide range of local events. In the 1880s, for example, events included open-air moonlight and afternoon concerts, a "great...go-as-you-please" 48-hour tournament in a "monster marquee" capable of holding 3,000 people and "brilliantly illuminated each evening," as well as a "Words of Grace Tent" where locals could attend evangelistic services. In late 1889, council discussed the construction of a bandstand in Alfred Square for the local band concerts that had become a regular occurrence. The beautification of the reserve, however, was not without its challenges. Freak storms led to the costly damage of railings and "trespassing cattle" tore and bruised the park's only oak tree. Young "Sunday Larrikins" and "hoodlums" were also known to be "violently opening the large gates...defacing the palisade fence," and throwing rocks at the trees, causing them - as well as innocent bystanders - serious injury. The fences were in a constant state of dilapidation but limited funds meant temporary repairs were favoured over replacements and when new fences were authorised, the contractor could not be compelled to finish the work in a timely manner.(Variety of newspaper reports as referenced by Cameron, 2015, Dictionary of Sydney) In 1882 The Anderson Fountain was erected as a bequest from the late Dr Anderson. It was transferred from near the Town Hall to Alfred Square in 1888 when the larger Centennial Fountain was constructed.Evening News 6 Aug 1888 Its location was opposite Palmer Street. In 1922 it was relocated once again to its current position to make way for the War Memorial. The riverbank side of the site was the location of Parramatta's first public baths, 1888 (where Riverside Theatres now stand). The recognisable diagonal footpaths of today were first asphalted at the end of 1889. In 1891 the bandstand was completed specifically in the shape of a late Victorian rotunda featuring decorative cast iron posts, brackets and valance capped with a copper roof.


Federation A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government ( federalism). In a federation, the self-gover ...
to 1950s

In Lennox Bridge and Church Street north was widened to accommodate the tram line to Castle Hill. In the Federation era, particularly, the park began to adopt its current visage with the inclusion of an avenue of Canary Island palms (''
Phoenix canariensis ''Phoenix canariensis'', the Canary Island date palm or pineapple palm, is a species of flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae, native to the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco. It is a relative of '' Phoenix dactylifera'', the tr ...
''), along the south-east/north-west diagonal pathway in 1918. In 1922 the War Memorial Foundation stone was laid. It was unveiled by
Lord Forster Henry William Forster, 1st Baron Forster, (31 January 1866 – 15 January 1936) was a British politician who served as the List of Governors-General of Australia, seventh Governor-General of Australia, in office from 1920 to 1925. He had previ ...
,
Governor General of Australia The governor-general of Australia is the representative of the monarch, currently King Charles III, in Australia.World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...
and, eventually, other subsequent conflicts. In 1921 Parramatta City was allociated a 105mm field gun by the Commonwealth War Trophies Committee. This was placed in Prince Alfred Park some time later although not near the War Memorial. A single photograph from 1933 shows the gun in the north-western quarter of the park towards a large Moreton Bay fig tree and the Anderson fountain. The gun has since been relocated although its whereabouts are not known.Mills, in
Parramatta Sun The ''Parramatta Sun'' was a weekly regional newspaper which served the communities of Parramatta and the former Holroyd local government areas. The newspaper was part of Fairfax Media Regional. The final edition of the newspaper was released ...
, 15/7/10, 11
The second, south-west/north-east diagonal avenue was planted with brush box (''
Lophostemon confertus ''Lophostemon confertus'' (syn. ''Tristania conferta''), is an evergreen tree native to Australia, though it is cultivated in the United States and elsewhere. Common names include brush box, Queensland box, Brisbane box, pink box, box scrub, and ...
'') and jacaranda (''
Jacaranda mimosifolia ''Jacaranda mimosifolia'' is a sub-tropical tree native to south-central South America that has been widely planted elsewhere because of its attractive and long-lasting violet-colored flowers. It is also known as the jacaranda, blue jacaranda, ...
''), along with other later tree plantings such as lemon scented gum ('' Corymbia citriodora''), camphor laurel (''Cinnamomum camphora''), Yatay palms (''
Butia capitata ''Butia capitata'', also known as jelly palm, is a ''Butia'' palm native to the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás in Brazil. It is known locally as ''coquinho-azedo'' or ''butiá'' in (northern) Minas Gerais.Fruits of Butia capitata (Mart.) Be ...
'') and firewheel trees (''
Stenocarpus sinuatus ''Stenocarpus sinuatus'', known as the firewheel tree, is an Australian rainforest tree in the family Proteaceae. The range of natural distribution is in various rainforest types from the Nambucca River (30° S) in New South Wales to the Ath ...
'') being added s-50s. In April 1935, acommemorative
Illawarra The Illawarra is a coastal region in the Australian state of New South Wales, nestled between the mountains and the sea. It is situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the South Coast region. It encompasses the two cities of Wollong ...
flame tree (''
Brachychiton acerifolius ''Brachychiton acerifolius'' is a large tree of the family Malvaceae endemic to tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is lea ...
'') was planted by the international founders of Rotary Club, Paul and Jean Harris, on the occasion of their visit to Parramatta. In the 1930s a
Bills horse trough Bills horse troughs are watering troughs that were manufactured in Australia and installed to provide relief for working horses in the first half of the twentieth century. The troughs were financed by a trust fund established through the will of ...
was installed on the Victoria Road side of Prince Alfred Park. George and Annis Bills were animal welfare philanthropists. Upon the death of George Bills in 1927 a trust fund was set up to build and distribute horse troughs throughout NSW and
Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...
to provide relief for working horses. During
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
Prince Alfred Park was the site of community air raid shelters cut in a zig-zag pattern on the southern side of the south-east/north-west diagonal pathway. In 1954 The Gollan Memorial Clock Tower was erected by the citizens of Parramatta in appreciation of the services of George Gollan, the Parramatta member of the Legislative Assembly 1932-1953. In 1956 Parramatta Children's Library was constructed on southern side (facing Market St). It was re-purposed as an Information Bureau in the 1970s. The building was demolished in the 1990s. The square has been known by many names - Village Green, Hanging Green, Gaol Green, Alfred Square. During the twentieth century the preferred name was Prince Alfred Park. 2014 the name of the park was officially changed through the
Geographical Names Board of New South Wales The Geographical Names Board of New South Wales, a statutory authority of the Department of Customer Service in the Government of New South Wales, is the official body for naming and recording details of places and geographical names in the s ...
to Prince Alfred Square. For all its superficial changes, Prince Alfred Square has retained its fundamental function as a space where locals can enjoy festive events such as being the hub for
Sydney Festival Sydney Festival is a major arts festival in Australia's largest city, Sydney that runs for three weeks every January, since it was established in 1977. The festival program features in excess of 100 events from local and international artists an ...
, Parramasala, and Winterlight, just as it was over one hundred years ago.


Description


Setting

Prince Alfred Square is bounded to the east by Church Street, to the north by Victoria Road, to the west by Marist Place and to the south by Market Street. The parkland is relatively flat, sloping very gently from north to south. It is formed on Wianamatta Shale series geology which forms clayey soils of poor fertility. The original vegetation of the area would have consisted of open woodland composed of species such as forest red gum (''
Eucalyptus tereticornis ''Eucalyptus tereticornis'', commonly known as forest red gum, blue gum or red irongum, is a species of tree that is native to eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in grou ...
'') and grey gum (''
Eucalyptus moluccana ''Eucalyptus moluccana'', commonly known as the grey box, gum-topped box or terriyergro, is a medium-sized to tall tree with rough bark on part or all of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of se ...
''). The square is connected to the town water supply. Key elements that enhance the setting of the square are the former St. Peter's Congretational Church (1871) on Church/Palmer Streets to its east, St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral (1854-1936) and Our Lady of Mercy College (1889) on the northwest corner of Victoria Road and Marist Place, the Old King's School/Marsden Rehabilitation Centre (1836-1970s) and Murphy House (1904) on Marist Place to the south-west, and the Parramatta Riverside Theatres (1988) to the south on Market Street facing the river.


Layout

The layout consists of a square divided by two diagonal paths formed into avenues by trees. The current style of the square is predominantly Federation, however there are some Victorian period elements and later twentieth century elements present.


Designed elements

The two diagonal paths are paved with herringbone brick paving. The southeast-northwest path has a
sandstone Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) silicate grains. Sandstones comprise about 20–25% of all sedimentary rocks. Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar (both silicat ...
rusticated edging. At the north-west corner of the square is the Anderson
fountain A fountain, from the Latin "fons" (genitive "fontis"), meaning source or spring, is a decorative reservoir used for discharging water. It is also a structure that jets water into the air for a decorative or dramatic effect. Fountains were ori ...
, a
granite Granite () is a coarse-grained ( phaneritic) intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly cools and solidifies un ...
drinking fountain, which was a bequest from Dr Anderson erected in 1882. It is square at the base, with large corner
pedestal A pedestal (from French ''piédestal'', Italian ''piedistallo'' 'foot of a stall') or plinth is a support at the bottom of a statue, vase, column, or certain altars. Smaller pedestals, especially if round in shape, may be called socles. In ...
s supporting short, vaguel Doric corner
columns A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression membe ...
. Stumpy obelisk cap, topped with a large stone ball. Inscription on the west face, in a panel between the columns - "Anderson Fountain - a bequest from the late Dr Anderson to the inhabitants of Parramatta. Erected February 1882 Trustee James Pye Esq. Rocky Hall." Below the inscription is a drinking fountain set into a curved
niche Niche may refer to: Science *Developmental niche, a concept for understanding the cultural context of child development * Ecological niche, a term describing the relational position of an organism's species *Niche differentiation, in ecology, the ...
(no longer working). East of the centre of the square, close to Church Street, is a band rotunda (1891), octagonal, cast iron columns, iron lace valence, capped with a facetted copper roof with a central
turret Turret may refer to: * Turret (architecture), a small tower that projects above the wall of a building * Gun turret, a mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon * Objective turret, an indexable holder of multiple lenses in an optical microscope * M ...
pyramid raised above an encircling collar, and wooden
soffit A soffit is an exterior or interior architectural feature, generally the horizontal, aloft underside of any construction element. Its archetypal form, sometimes incorporating or implying the projection of beams, is the underside of eaves (t ...
lining. This delicately modelled structure floats, seemingly weightless, on an octagonal concrete paved dais. On the eastern side facing Church Street/opposite the Former St Peter's Church is the Parramatta War Memorial, a large trachyte obelisk, about 5m height, on a dais slightly elevated above surrounding gardens. Four steps lead up from the footpath to the dais and the obelisk with its inscriptions and bronze plaque. "Erected to perpetuate the spirit of those who served their country in the cause of freedom 1914-1919." The foundation stone was laid by Alderman L. A. Simpson, Mayor, on 25 November 1922. It was unveiled by Lord Forster, Governor General of Australia. At the north-east corner of the square, terminating one of the diagonal paths, is a sandstone clock tower monument that was erected to commemorate the services to the district of George Gollan, MLA and former cabinet minister. The monument was completed in 1954 and stands in a circular sandstone paved setting and box hedging ('' Buxus koreana''). The only building in the park, an open bus shelter, is located on the southern boundary facing Market St. It is constructed of sandstone and appears to have been added in the 1960s.


Plantings

The earliest surviving plantings in the park are the 7 large Moreton Bay figs on the western and southern boundaries, a large camphor laurel near St. Patrick's church and the large Bunya pine on the south-west corner near the Old King's School, that date from the Victorian period. The south-west / north-east diagonal path is lined with brush box to the north and jacaranda to the south of the central path intersection. These plantings appear to date from the 1930s (a 1938 aerial photograph shows young 4-5m tall trees in this position). The south-east / north-west diagonal path is lined by an avenue of mature Canary Island date palms dating from the Federation period. Symmetrical inter-war period plantings (1922) north and south of the War Memorial are two cotton palms ('' Washingtonia robusta''), two jelly /Yatay palms, two lemon scented gums and two firewheel trees. (A 1938 aerial photograph shows young 2-3m tall trees in this position). Possibly later (1930s-50s) twentieth century plantings are the numerous specimens of lemon-scented gum, Tasmanian blue gum (''
Eucalyptus globulus ''Eucalyptus globulus'', commonly known as southern blue gum or blue gum, is a species of tall, evergreen tree endemic to southeastern Australia. This ''Eucalyptus'' species has mostly smooth bark, juvenile leaves that are whitish and waxy on ...
'') and the Abelia hedge ('' Abelia floribunda'') along the northern boundary. A 1935 memorial planting of Illawarra flame tree on the eastern side of the park was made by the President Emeritus and founder of Rotary International, Paul P. Harris, of Chicago, along with Australian Rotary President R. P. Lukins and H. Ohlsen, Mayor. Over 2005-6 further infill detail shrub plantings were made on both cross-axes - of azaleas (''
Rhododendron indicum ''Rhododendron indicum'' is an Azalea ''Rhododendron'' species native to Japan (S & W Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Yakushima). Taxonomy It is the type species for the ''Tsutsusi'' section and subsection, and was the original ''Tsutsusi'' described by ...
''), '' Hydrangea macrophylla'', ''
Camellia sasanqua ''Camellia sasanqua'', with common name sasanqua camellia, is a species of ''Camellia'' native to China and Japan. It is usually found growing up to an altitude of 900 metres. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 5 m tall. The leaves are bro ...
'', kaffir lilies (''
Clivia miniata ''Clivia miniata'', the Natal lily or bush lily, is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Clivia'' of the family Amaryllidaceae, native to woodland habitats in South Africa (Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces) as well as i ...
'') and liriope (''
Liriope muscari ''Liriope muscari'' is a species of flowering plant from East Asia. Common names in English include big blue lilyturf, lilyturf, border grass, and monkey grass. This small herbaceous perennial has grass-like evergreen foliage and lilac-purple ...
'').


Features of the square

The square was once surrounded by sandstone wall, removed at some point. Vestiges of its stone base remain (south-west corner near Marist Place). There is a stone horse trough near the corner of Church Street and Victoria Road which is listed on the State Heritage Inventory (2240585). George and Annis Bills were animal welfare philanthropists. At the south-west corner of the square, marking the entry to one of the diagonal paths, are two circular sandstone gate posts that date from the Victorian period. ;War Memorial Is on the eastern edge of the square opposite Palmer Street on Church Street. It is a trachyte stone obelisk, 5m high, set on a dias slightly elevated above gardens of rosemary. Bronze plaque "Erected to Perpetuate the Spirit of those who served their Country in the Cause of Freedom 1914-1919". Foundation stone laid by Ald. Simpson, Mayor 25 November 1922. ' ;Anderson Fountain A granite monument, square at the base with large corner pedestals supporting short, vaguely Doric corner columns. A drinking fountain set into a curved niche. Inscribed 'ANDERSON FOUNTAIN A bequest from the late Dr Anderson to the inhabitants of Parramatta Erected February 1882 Trustee James Pye Esq Rocky Hall. ;Band Rotunda East of the centre of the square, close to Church Street, is a band rotunda (1891), octagonal, cast iron columns, iron lace valence, capped with a facetted copper roof with a central turret pyramid raised above an encircling collar, and wooden soffit lining. This delicately modelled structure floats, seemingly weightless, on an octagonal concrete paved dais. Erected by Ald. Noller, a building contractor, for the Parramatta Borough Council in 1891. Renovated in 1996 and restored in 2016.


Perceptual elements

The collection of monuments and mature trees in the square and its setting dominated by 2 historic sandstone churches, the Old King's School complex, the Sisters of Mercy complex and modern Riverside Theatres complex provide a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of the development of Parramatta. The square provides a valuable open space resource to the many residents, workers and visitors of the Parramatta town centre district. The park functions as a "Village Green" and important civic space, forming an entry to the city from the north fronting the main street (Church Street), two major churches, a convent and the former King's School.


Heritage listing

Prince Alfred Square is of state heritage significance as an intact representative example of a square or public park layout from the Victorian era, embellished in the Edwardian, inter-war and post-war eras. It is a rare example of the early Public Parks Movement in NSW. Significant for the age and maturity of its tree plantings. The oldest, including Moreton Bay figs, a camphor laurel and a Bunya pine, date from the mid Victorian period ( 1869-70s), and are reinforced by Federation-period plantings and later plantings (s). The site has historical values at a state level as it is the site of Parramatta's second gaol (1804 - 1841), first female factory (1804-1821), as a village green since 1837 and for associations with the Royal Visit of Prince Alfred in 1868. The site has exceptional archaeological research potential related to the above events. Prince Alfred Square is the only civic park in Parramatta. It is significant for demonstrating the provision of public amenities & services - evidence of local Parramatta initiatives separate from Sydney. The site possesses potential to contribute to an understanding of early urban development and Government administration in Parramatta. The item is of state heritage significance for its association with notable people (Government Farm superintendent Henry Dodd, Governors Phillip, Hunter, King & Bourke, the Reverend Samuel Marsden, HRH Prince Alfred) and events (Castle Hill Rebellion). The Square with its collection of monuments and mature trees are dominated by surrounding (State and Local heritage) sandstone churches and C19th schools which provide a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of development of Parramatta. Prince Alfred Square was listed on the
New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...
on 28 August 2017 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. This item is of state heritage significance for its historical values and has the potential to contain archaeological remains from the early development of Parramatta since 1789 into the early 20th century. The site was part of the Government Farm (1789), used as the second Parramatta gaol (1802-1841) and first Female Factory and early textile factory/manufacture industry (1804-1821). It was the site of Parramatta hangings from 1804-. Since 1837, the site has been authorised as a public reserve (one of the earliest in NSW) and remains a public park to this day, demonstrating the shift in land use on the north side of the river from a penal settlement to community and residential uses. The site has the potential to provide evidence of a range of historical processes and activities relating to the history of Parramatta, including the development of Parramatta as a penal settlement, and its civic spaces. The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history. Prince Alfred Square meets this criterion of state significance because of associations of the site with the male prisoners and convict women who occupied the site from 1804 to 1841, and with the numerous men who agitated for the construction of the gaol and the welfare of its inhabitants, including Governors King, Bligh and Macquarie, and the Rev. Samuel Marsden. It is associated with the Castle Hill Rebellion as the site of four hangings - three of the nine rebellion ringleaders and one free settler. It is associated with Governor Bourke who decided the land should be measured for a reserve for the townsfolk. It is one of only two parks in NSW renamed and re-made for the first Royal visit to Australia by Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1868. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. This item is aesthetically significant at a state level as a formal
urban open space In land-use planning, urban green space is open-space areas reserved for parks and other "green spaces", including plant life, water features -also referred to as blue spaces- and other kinds of natural environment. Most urban open spaces are ...
, built on an early (1837) village green, from later memorial plantings in 1869/70s, Federation and interwar periods. The square is rare intact, early example of the Public Parks Movement in NSW. The collection of monuments and mature trees and its setting dominated by (State and Local heritage) sandstone churches and C19th schools provides a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of development of Parramatta.This item is aesthetically significant at a state level as a formal urban open space, built on an early (1837) village green, from later memorial plantings in 1869/70s, Federation and interwar periods. The square is rare intact, early example of the Public Parks Movement in NSW. The collection of monuments and mature trees and its setting dominated by (State and Local heritage) sandstone churches and C19th schools provides a high quality urban precinct evocative of the various periods of development of Parramatta. The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. Prince Alfred Square is of importance for the local community's sense of place, however, it has the potential social value for the people of Sydney/
Western Sydney Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US * Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that i ...
given its role and use for events and commemorations. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The archaeological resources this site will most likely present evidence of past human culture and activity, and therefore have potential to yield scientific and historical information. Prince Alfred Square and potential archaeological site is likely to comprise relics of state significance, demonstrating the nature of life within the second Parramatta gaol (1804-1841) and first Female Factory (1804-1821). The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. Prince Alfred Square and potential archaeological site meets this criterion of state significance because the civic park is rare for its age, and for its representative formal layout and plantings, of the Victorian, Federation and interwar eras. Any archaeological remains would be scarce physical evidence relating to the early history of Parramatta with archaeology associated with the gaol and factory complexes (1802-1841) which would be considered a very rare example of an early penal institution in NSW and Australia. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. Potential archaeological resources from this site is of state significance and would provide a physical chronicle of the history of Parramatta. Any archaeology associated with the gaol and factory complexes (1802-1841) would be considered representative of the convict experience within early correctional institutions, albeit part of a rare group of structures. Prince Alfred Square is a representative (and as relatively intact, also rare) surviving example of the Public Parks Movement in NSW, of the first major "wave" of public park "making" by elected municipal or city councils in NSW.


References


Bibliography

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Attribution


External links

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CC-By-SA A Creative Commons (CC) license is one of several public copyright licenses that enable the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted "work".A "work" is any creative material made by a person. A painting, a graphic, a book, a song/lyric ...
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Parramatta Heritage Centre Historical Tour of Prince Alfred SquareNSW State Heritage Inventory
{{Parks in Sydney, state=autocollapse Parks in Sydney Urban public parks Squares in Australia New South Wales State Heritage Register Parramatta Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register