Special Column
The Hamilton Police Club in Coimbatore, restored to it's past glory!
By Mohammed Shajudeen, SimpliCity
Apr 20, 2017
The century old historic Hamilton Police Club is all set for a grand inauguration, as the restoration work is nearing completion.
Many of the citizens wouldn't have known about this historic asset of Coimbatore which is diagonally opposite to the State Bank Of India, near Coimbatore railway station. A small concrete name block shows the way to this club which was once owned by F.A. Hamilton, a British Police Officer in 1918.
On 25th January, 1918, Officer Hamilton drew a Madras Bank cheque for Rs. 20,000 and acquired this property from a city-based entrepreneur, which had 16 commodious high-ceiling rooms, a fine indoor badminton court, a resourceful library and a jumbo pantry. Since then, this club was used as a recreation centre for police officers.
Recently, the documents indicating ownership and rules and regulations of this club along with a British law book was found. Through those documents, it was understood that along with Hamilton, few others were also active owners of this club.
But however, post independence, a new block called Harvey Block was constructed within the premises to accommodate Police Officers. Since then, the block was rented for Rs. 150/-per day to the police personnel who visited the city on duty. Over time, poor maintenance and lack of facilities transformed this historic club into a haunted place.
Restoration
In February, 2016, Commissioner of Police A. Amalraj approved a fund of Rs. 25 lakhs to refurbish and restore this 150-year-old historic club and preserve it as Police Museum. A team of trained artisans from Chennai were deployed for restoring Colonial treasure.
De-plastering the walls, repairing tiles/doors/windows, re-laying of floors, painting, patching the pillars, strengthening the existing Madras terrace were some of the refurbishment work carried out by the team. As the refurbishment work is nearing completion, the officials in-charge are in the process of installing new television sets, amphitheater, cots, beds, curtains, mats, fans, air conditioners, bathroom fittings etc.,
Two historic cannons already decorate the lawns of this antique building. And, Harvey Block will continue as a Police Club.
By the end of this month, the Hamilton Police Club and the Harvey Block will be back in service shining like it did during its heyday. Old artifacts relating to Police department like Weapons, Armory, Old Uniforms, Photographs, Medals and Accolades will decorate this 4000 sq feet museum which will open for public also. Once it's open to public, it would be a sight and experience to behold, as the club has been restored to what it was earlier without losing it's erstwhile charm.
Many of the citizens wouldn't have known about this historic asset of Coimbatore which is diagonally opposite to the State Bank Of India, near Coimbatore railway station. A small concrete name block shows the way to this club which was once owned by F.A. Hamilton, a British Police Officer in 1918.
On 25th January, 1918, Officer Hamilton drew a Madras Bank cheque for Rs. 20,000 and acquired this property from a city-based entrepreneur, which had 16 commodious high-ceiling rooms, a fine indoor badminton court, a resourceful library and a jumbo pantry. Since then, this club was used as a recreation centre for police officers.
Recently, the documents indicating ownership and rules and regulations of this club along with a British law book was found. Through those documents, it was understood that along with Hamilton, few others were also active owners of this club.
But however, post independence, a new block called Harvey Block was constructed within the premises to accommodate Police Officers. Since then, the block was rented for Rs. 150/-per day to the police personnel who visited the city on duty. Over time, poor maintenance and lack of facilities transformed this historic club into a haunted place.
Restoration
In February, 2016, Commissioner of Police A. Amalraj approved a fund of Rs. 25 lakhs to refurbish and restore this 150-year-old historic club and preserve it as Police Museum. A team of trained artisans from Chennai were deployed for restoring Colonial treasure.
De-plastering the walls, repairing tiles/doors/windows, re-laying of floors, painting, patching the pillars, strengthening the existing Madras terrace were some of the refurbishment work carried out by the team. As the refurbishment work is nearing completion, the officials in-charge are in the process of installing new television sets, amphitheater, cots, beds, curtains, mats, fans, air conditioners, bathroom fittings etc.,
Two historic cannons already decorate the lawns of this antique building. And, Harvey Block will continue as a Police Club.
By the end of this month, the Hamilton Police Club and the Harvey Block will be back in service shining like it did during its heyday. Old artifacts relating to Police department like Weapons, Armory, Old Uniforms, Photographs, Medals and Accolades will decorate this 4000 sq feet museum which will open for public also. Once it's open to public, it would be a sight and experience to behold, as the club has been restored to what it was earlier without losing it's erstwhile charm.
