Headquarters Building, Keswick Barracks
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| Headquarters Building, Keswick Barracks | |
|---|---|
 Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, c.1918 | |
| Location | Anzac Highway, Keswick, South Australia, Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°56′38″S 138°34′57″E / 34.9438°S 138.5824°E |
| Official name | Headquarters Building 32, Keswick Barracks |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 22 June 2004 |
| Reference no. | 105308 |
  Location of Headquarters Building, Keswick Barracks in South Australia | |
Headquarters Building (Building 32) is a heritage-listed office building at Keswick Barracks, Anzac Highway, Keswick, South Australia, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004 and the former Register of the National Estate on 28 September 1982.[1][2]
In 1854, a Militia Act was passed in South Australia, giving the Government the power to call out a force of 2000 volunteers. This early military force was based at the Mounted Police Barracks off Kintore Avenue in Adelaide. A military parade ground was located in the area now occupied by the north and east wings of the South Australian Museum. A permanent military force was authorised in 1878, and in 1884 a force of one officer and 20 men was raised. As early as 1889, the unification of Australia's colonial military forces was suggested. With the Federation of Australia, South Australia's defence force, along with the other colonial defence forces, was taken over by the Commonwealth.[1]
As the development of a Commonwealth public works department took some time, the responsibility for constructing and maintaining Commonwealth Government buildings in South Australia, specifically post offices, customs and defence buildings, was initially given to the South Australian Public Works Department.[1]
In 1912, a contract was let for the construction of a military headquarters at Keswick in South Australia for a cost of 21,990 pounds. Contracts were also let for the Royal Australian Field Artillery Barracks at 14,565 pounds and for stables, gun park, barn, farriers shop, gym, quartermaster's store and sick horse bay for 12,999 pounds. The Headquarters Building was completed in 1913 and was the first substantial Commonwealth building to be constructed in South Australia.[1]
The building served as the headquarters of the 4th Military District during World War I, and was known colloquially as "The Home of the Brass Hats".[3]
In 1940, an additional storey was constructed on the flat roof of the Headquarters Building. The architect for this work was W. H. Hanal. In 1969 the boiler house and toilet block on the western side of the building were removed. Keswick Barracks continues to be used for defence purposes.[1]
