Art Deco Society - Innisfail
Art Deco in the Tropics - Innisfail
Innisfail, North Queensland
Art deco
Heritage
History

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History of Art Deco in Innisfail

Innisfail is situated at the meeting of two grand rivers the North and South Johnstone rivers.

The early European settlers hacked through the tropical rainforest to establish the town site in the late 1800’s. Buildings were predominately constructed of timber - built and rebuilt after cyclones, fires and white ant infestations.

The devastating cyclone of 1918 forced a rethinking of the type of construction materials being used. The town was rebuilt in concrete and brick to the style of the 1920's, the Art Deco era.

The buildings in the town were adapted to the tropical living conditions of Far North Queensland by having peaked roofs instead of flat roofs and wide verandas. Many of these elements may be seen in the Innisfail CBD buildings. There are porthole windows, curved building facades, foyers, many tiled facades and leadlight windows featuring geometric designs.

A fine example of cultural influence in Art Deco architecture is the Arcidiacano House in Rankin Street. It is 1930's Spanish Mission style Art Deco.

The Country Target Store constructed in 2004, incorporates porthole design features, art deco period signage and geometric patterns on the façade.

 

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The Blue Bird Cafe

 

The Water Tower
Arcidiacono House

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