“Prison Department” resonates with the very bricks beneath our feet here at the Historic Police Station and Jail. This building whispers tales of Wellington’s past.
Welcome to the former Mount Cook Police Station. It stands as one of New Zealand’s most significant historic police buildings. Its story is etched in every brick and corner of this edifice.
In the 1890s Wellington surged. Its population boomed. Crime spiked. To combat this, three police stations opened in 1894. This station was one of them. The Mount Cook Police Station addressed the growing pressures.
Look closely at the walls. Notice anything unique? The bricks bear distinctive arrow marks. These marks are the legacy of the Mount Cook Gaol. Prisoners made these bricks. They used them to construct the station and its surrounding walls.
The Historic Police Station and Jail has a stern design. Yet decorative elements soften its severity. Moulded rosette cornerstones catch the eye. Black and white glazed brick bands accent the windows. These details add character to the building’s façade.
Five constables and one sergeant called this place home when it opened. In 1898, the station transformed. It became a central training hub for new police recruits. However, conditions were not ideal. A new facility was needed.
By the 1930s, demolition loomed. Plans arose to replace the station. The new National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum were to occupy this site. But fate intervened. An alternative site for the station could not be found.
The station closed its doors in 1956. Staff relocated to new barracks. Yet the police retained a presence. They used the building as a clothing store. The museum coveted this space. They sought to expand their footprint.
Finally, in 1967, a resolution came. A new police station emerged on Adelaide Road. The museum then moved into this building. They occupied it until Te Papa was built.
The Historic Police Station and Jail passed to the Wellington Tenths Trust. This transfer occurred as part of the main museum land allocation. Later, private investors acquired it.
Imagine the cells that once held lawbreakers. Today, they could become a wine cellar. Or perhaps unique storage. Maybe even a “naughty room” for children.
This building is a Category 1 Historic Place. Heritage New Zealand protects its exterior. Alterations are restricted. However, removable additions are permissible.
The Historic Police Station and Jail stands on a prominent corner site. Its polychromatic brickwork catches the eye. Black and white banding adds visual interest. The building contributes to the character of the surrounding area.
The interior once featured a geometric tile floor. A kauri main stair added elegance. These details spoke to the building’s utilitarian purpose.
Consider the building’s cultural value. It represents the early police force in Wellington. It symbolizes the growth of Te Aro and Mount Cook. It embodies the legacy of the Mount Cook Gaol.
The Historic Police Station and Jail reminds us of Wellington’s past. It serves as a landmark. It connects us to the city’s history. Its very existence is a testament to resilience and adaptation.