East Maitland Police Station

Tenders for the construction of a new police station on the jail reserve were called in the "Government Gazette" of 2 December 1870. The new building was completed in 1871, with foundations of local stone, brick walls, blue gum and tallowwood carpentry and cedar joinery. The cells and charge-room originally faced John Street.^[1]

In 1914, the building was converted into a police residence in response to a growing population and changing community attitudes. The former cells and charge room now became three bedrooms and a sitting room and a verandah were added at the front. New cells and prisoners' yard were constructed behind the building. It was re-classified as a residence for the superintendent of the adjacent Maitland Gaol c. 1968. It was isolated from the rest of the jail reserve for many years, but in 1972 two houses for jail officers were built between it and the prison.^[2][1]

It is a single-storey rendered brick cottage in the Victorian Classical style with lock-up.^[1][3]

The residence retains many of its significant features including its basic form, joinery and two chimneys. The cells and yard remain, however the yard is roofed over to provide a garage. The setting of this small complex is somewhat compromised by the loss of the original perimeter wall which has been replaced by a combination of unsympathetic fence types in timber, aluminium and wire. The front garden and grounds give few clues to the original walled setting and plants conceal the residence from view. The concrete tile roof (probably originally slate) and colour scheme internally and externally detract from its significance and ability to appreciate the place.^[1]