Cossack Pt 2 -

No the Ungovernable’s haven’t been locked up yet!

Due to the construction materials of these buildings the temperature inside was a pleasant surprise.

Police Barracks, Cookhouse and Lockup-
Located in Perseverance Street, the old stone police quarters and gaol date from 1898. Today it is modestly priced dormitory accommodation. The first policemen in the town were three water police who arrived in 1866.

Post and Telegraph office-
The Post and Telegraph Office was one of the earliest stone buildings in the town. It was constructed using local shell limestone, most probably in the early 1880s. The ground floor was originally a customs house with a chemist and post office upstairs.

Customs House and Bond Store-
The Bonded Store and Customs House (1895) was designed by George Temple Poole. The supervisor of the restoration of the town has written of this building that "It was built for administrative purposes and its design reflects the still high prominence of the British Empire in Australia. It was built to last."
The stone Customs House is testimony to the period when Cossack served as an important colonial port, prior to the transfer of the port to Point Samson at the outset of the 20th century. It was restored and re-opened in August, 2001 with the following press release: "The port of Cossack, established in 1863, was the first port in the north-west of Western Australia. In a short time it became a very busy port, greatly relied on by settlers for essential supplies, as well as news from Perth, interstate and overseas. Customs played an essential role in the control of imports and exports, and the collection of duty and taxes. It is very fitting that this historic building, which was constructed six years before Federation, has now been restored.
"Achievements since Federation in 1901 are woven into the interpretation of the site. This history is displayed in pictorial form and represented by artefacts of customs and pearling in the Pilbara."Read more