Old Blacktown Central School Traditional Cache
Old Blacktown Central School
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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This area has some historical importance in Blacktown, read on to learn more.
Built 1877. The oldest surviving structure in the Blacktown central business district.
A single storey Victorian-style brick building with two gables on the northern side. The building displays simple Victorian features such as a finial on one gable, sandstone dressed blocks and brick archives over the windows.
The building has a galvanised iron roof and a finial on one gable end.
By 1871 two private schools had been established in Blacktown. After investigation the government decided to subsidise the running of one of the schools (the other operated out of a inn's barn, which no doubt horrified the school inspector). There were however, insufficient students to warrant the establishment of a public school. Numbers soon rose and in 1875 it was decided that there were sufficient students to warrant the converting the private school into a fully-funded public school.
A two acre lot was purchased an construction begun at a cost of £897. Construction of the school and teachers residence was completed in 1877, although the school was apparently dedicated in 1876. An additional classroom was added in 1882, along with additional staff.
Several years and two architects separate the wings, which accounts for their detail differences. Further classrooms were added in 1915. Was latter part of the Blacktown District Public (Primary) School until it's closure in 1990. Peak student numbers of over 1,200 children were reached in the late 1950's, however after 1958 there was a steady decline due to other schools in the area being opened. In 1980 a fire destroyed many of the newer (post 1915) buildings. Now only the original building remains, the remaining (newer) buildings of the school having been demolished for the expansion of the Westpoint Shopping Centre.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zntargvp zvagf
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