Art Deco is one style from the period between the world wars. Leeton's development coincides with this period and as a result many of the buildings within the town are in this style or others, including Spanish Mission.
Streets within Leeton Shire feature 35 buildings listed on the Australian Institute of Architects’ Register of Significant 20th Century Buildings, such as the Roxy Theatre which has been screening movies since 1930.
The Roxy Theatre is a Leeton landmark, positioned at the junction of Kurrajong and Pine avenues and opposite the water towers and bandstand designed by Walter Burley Griffin.
Another remarkable building is the Historic Hydro Guest House, built to accommodate staff of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission - whose former building is sited opposite across Chelmsford Place.
A Leeton
Heritage
Walk
booklet (2mb PDF) is available at the Leeton Visitor
Information Centre for those interested in following the historical
walk around our beautifully preserved town.
Leeton Art Deco Festival
This heritage is celebrated with Leeton's newest event, The Leeton
Art Deco Festival, which biennially celebrates
the style of the 1920's and 1930's and the significance of this period
within the Shire.
Join us in winding back the clock with displays of vintage cars and aeroplanes, classic cinema, antiques, live entertainment and many of the modern comforts we continue to enjoy.
The sucesss of the 2011 event will see many events return in 2013, including the:
- opening night cocktails at The Roxy,
- walking tours of Leeton's Art Deco architecture (see photographs at this blog), and
- outdoor cinema.
The Leeton Art Deco Festival is a great experience for the whole family.
Photographs courtesy of The Irrigator, Jason Richardson and Mick McNamara.