The Old Bank

The ‘Old Bank’ building was originally built in 1891 as the Queensland National Bank and is typical of the Victorian era with magnificent red cedar counters and other decor.

The building is heritage listed inside and out. The Old Bank used to be home to the Cooktown Historical Society, with multi award-winning displays which show you what life in Cooktown used to be like.

These displays have now moved to the Historical Centre at the Archive and Research Centre at 121 Charlotte Street. The Research Centre is also the place to come if you’re researching your family’s history. Manned entirely by volunteers, opening hours are flexible.

The following databases have been digitized and are currently in use by the Society.

• Index to Cooktown
• Births (1874 - 1905)
• Deaths (1883 - 1945)
• Marriages (1883 - 1907)
• Cooktown Cemetery Register (1874 - 2000)
• Residents and Property Owners (1878 and 1940) - Shows property description as well as owners of properties. These include the records of the Daintree Divisional Board, the Hann Divisional Board, the Cooktown Municipal Council and the Cook Shire Council.
• Cooktown Businesses and Locations (1874 and 1886) - Taken from advertisements in newspapers and almanacs.
• Cooktown State School Admission Registers (Incomplete due to missing years)
  Boys School 1885 - 1921
  Girls School 1919 - 1921
  State School 1921 - 1941
• Cooktown Volunteers in WW1 - Shows extensive research with military and civilian details
• Electoral Rolls of 1877, 1899 and 1914
• Publicans of Cooktown and the surrounding areas up to 1900
• Post Office Directory (1889 - 1947)

Visit the website to find out more.

Open Monday-Friday 09.00-12 midday. The Archive and Research Centre is open throughout the main tourism season but may be closed from December to April.

SAVE MONEY - buy a 3 way joint ticket for James Cook Museum, The Historical Centre and Vera Scarth Johnson Gallery. Ask for details at the sales desks at all 3 outlets.