10 Heritage Buildings of Ooty

Ooty is well known for its historical significance. Many architectural buildings were constructed by the Europeans during the early 19^th century. They are now considered as the Heritage of Nilgiris. Let us have a look at it below.

Lawley Institute:

The charming old-world building of the institute, which catches the eye as one comes close to the Government Botanical Garden, was built in 1911. It was started to perpetuate the memory of Sir Arthur Lawley, the governor of Madras. It was a common meeting place for the upper class Indians and Brits.  

St. Stephen's Church:

Stephen Rumbold Lushington, then Governor of Madras, established this church in the year 1829. The massive main beam and other timber in the church were taken from Tipu Sultan's palace on the island of Srirangapatna. A painting depicting the Last Supper is displayed on the walls. The church also features stained glass windows depicting the crucifixion of Christ and Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms.

Nilgiri Library:

Shielded by stately trees from public glare, the 157 year-old and still growing institution on the Commissioner's Road is one of the prestigious visages of the Nilgiri town. European settlers in the late 19th century felt the need for a library and hence constructed this library in the year 1858.An elegant building with certain features of Gothic architecture.

Breeks School:

It was established in the year 1874. It was named after the first collector of Nilgiris district, James Wilkinson Breeks. It was erected for children of poor Europeans and Eurasians. The special architectural features include the cloister vault roof, the arched masonry decorations seen above many of the rectangular doors and the gable decoration above the central building.

Stone House:

It is the first bungalow constructed in Ooty. It was built by John Sullivan and was called as "Kal Bangala" by the tribal. John Sullivan started building stone house in the year 1822 acquiring land from the Todas at 1 rupee an acre. Today it is the official residence for the principal of the govt. arts college Ooty.

Assembly Rooms:

Assembly Rooms is a cinema hall which was established in the year 1901. It is owned by the government and run by the government under a trust. The theater is noted to show mostly English language films.

Fern Hill Palace:

Fern hill Palace was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore. Fern hills bungalow was built in 1844 by Capt. F. Cotton. The palace resembles a Swiss Chalet. Its carved wooden barge boards and ornamental cast iron give it that characteristic appearance. The palace grounds accentuate the alpine look of the place with its manicured gardens, firs and cedars. The Palace is spread out over 50 acres of green lawns, stylized gardens and dense woods with spectacular views of terraced tea gardens and lush verdant valleys.

Rajbhavan:

It is the summer residence of the governor of Tamilnadu. The present area of Raj Bhavan is 86.72 acres. It consists of a large banqueting Hall, ball room, drawing and reception rooms, besides 17 Guest rooms and office rooms. It consists of ornamental gardens in an area of about 9 acres, a rich lawn on 3 acres, four rosaries, two lily ponds, a sunken garden, two green houses, a vegetable garden and a nursery.

Adam's Statue:

Adam's fountain is a public display fountain in Charring cross, Ooty. It was built in 1886 as a memorial to a Governor of Ooty, who was very famous in the region during his tenure. Light setting during the night time is a visual treat to our eyes.

 

Lawrence School:

An educational institution in Lovedale, named for its founder, Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence. Lawrence had established a chain of schools with a view to provide education to the children of the deceased and serving soldiers and officers of the British army. The school was constructed in the year 1858.