The Original Villas Of Darlinghurst
It's Really Hard To Imagine What It was like in Kings Cross And Potts Point 150 years Ago, when Darlinghurst & Potts Point Were being built literally from the ground up. Every Time I walk through that area I try to imagine where the Houses had been, & what they looked like, & property Boundaries & the way the topography of the land is now.
There is very little left, next to nothing actually of the Grand Structures that used to be there, from stables, cottages, servants quarters, and carriageways.
In the early days the area had been named "Henrietta Town", named after Governor Macquarie's wifes First Name.
The First House Of Note Was "Craigend" Fronting Upper William St South, now Wollcott St, built by Sir Thomas Mitchell, Surveryor General .
Just behind "Craigend" was the last of old Darlinghurst Windmills, known as Hynde's Windmill. Originally there were 3, one near the goal, 2 were made of wood & required Manual labour but the third was mechanical.
Across Upper William St at its junction with Darlinghurst Rd, formerly Woolloomooloo Rd, was the property of the Hon Richard Jones MC known as "Merchant Jones" which extended into, & along Darlinghurst Rd. The property was built on a portion of land 3 acres 2 rods & 8 perches in extent, formerly granted on 19th October 1831 to Mr S.A. Perry. The land extending between it & Roslyn Hall was afterwards the site of Alberto Terrace, built & owned by John Solomon.
Next going east was a grant dated 23rd September 1839, of 4 acres 2 rods & 24 Perches, to Thomas McQuoid mentioned before.
"Kellett House" was built on it by Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson, the first Premier in 1856 under Responsible Government; he lived there for some years & it was afterwards owned by Mr W.F. Buchanon, who pulled down the house, & built a terrace there known as "Bayswater Terrace"
Then there came "Sevenoaks" & "Eaton" where Mr Edward Knox, & afterwards Captain Martindale, then occupied by Mr Edward Fosberty, the late Inspector General of Police
On the opposite side of Princes Road (Off Bayswater Road) & in front of "Sevenoaks" which also had a frontage to that road, were 2 cottages, one known as "Lara" was occupied by Mr James Norton - Solicitor, before he went to Double Bay. The other house was pulled down & it has been occupied by Lady Dowling, when she vacated "Brougham Lodge" on the death of Sir James Dowling, & after her Sir Henry Parkes & Mr W.H. Piddington.
Then to the east of Upper William Street North came 2 cottages next to "Eaton" with an old fashioned wooden pump at the bottom of the private road between them, belonging to Mr T.W. Smart. Then there was Vacant Land round & along the gate of Roslyn Hall, owned by Mr Thomas Barker; he built the house, Mr Ambrose Hallen being the architect, living there for a time. St Canice Roman Catholic Church Stands on the site of the exit gate of the property
"It is hardly Visible to the eye from the South Head Road, being surrounded by Advertisement Boardings. Opposite was West's Bush, densely timbered, where the black used to camp.
Just to the north of "Craigend" is "Goderich Lodge" which was built & lived in by Mr T McQuiud, the then Sheriff in the 1830's until he died in 1841. The Bishop of Sydney (Dr William Grant Broughton was also a tenant, also Mr S.A. Perryu, the Deputy Surveyor General, Mr William Carr Solicitor in 1848, Mr Charles Scott - Ironmonger, & Mr Frederick Tooth Sold it to Captain Charles Smith of the firm Mcdonald Smith & Co, & was occupied by his widow. At one time its gardens extended to the Junction of Upper William Street (North) now Bayswater Road, & Upper William Street (South) where the Warahtah Hotel is now. Subsequently "Waratah" was built next to & on the East side of "Goderich Lodge"
Just a little below these to the east was a later built house, owned by Mr John Williams, the Crown Solicitor, now "Kurragheen"; next thereto was "Hillside" now the site of a large building to be used as dwelling flats, & next to that was a small cottage...
Behind "Hillside" was a house in which the Late Mr Justice Hargrave resided. The land on which it was built was a portion of 70 Acres grantred on 30th May 1844 to Mr T West. Roslyn St had not been formed but the Southern boundary of the property ran along to the Junction of Macleay St with the site of its present junction with Rosyln St, close there were 2 Windmills owned by Mr T Barker.
The "Roslyn Hall" property fronted Macleay St, & the second iron lattice entrance gate at the entrance was in Darlinghurst Rd, nearly opposite "Springfield".The house was a large well built mansion, with a spiral iron staircase to the upper storey; the rooms were large, with a bath fixed in most of the bedrooms level with the floor, so that one had to step down, not up, to get into it.
"Roslyn Hall" was one of the gayest houses of the time. The land extended on the South East to the site of St Canince Church, taking in Roslyn Gardens & Roslyn Road to the East, & on the north "Barnclueth" now called "Kinneil" & part of Elizabeth Bay Road.
To the north is "Chevverals" on part of the Macleay grant, next came a large substantial cottage or low built house at the corner of Macleay Street.
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Spacious Days Of Long Ago - New Flats For Old Mansions - A Legacy of Ill - Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday 23rd July 1938 - Page 13
- Specific Houses Mentioned in Article are -
- Craigend Mill - Built of Stone - 90ft High - DEMOLISHED
- "Roslyn Hall" - DEMOLISHED
- "Larbert Lodge" @ Larbert Avenue - DEMOLISHED
- "Grantham" - DEMOLISHED 1937
- "Springfield Lodge" - DEMOLISHED
- "Tusculum" -
- "Rockwall" -
- "Tarmons" - Part Of The Catholic School - Home of Sir Maurice O'Connell
- "Barnclueth" (Kinniel) - DEMOLISHED - Made A Multi Level Carpark
- "Maranamah" - DEMOLISHED - King Cross Park - Fitzroy Gardens
- "Cheverells" - DEMOLISHED
* Elizabeth Bay House - The Entrance Gates To The Private Carriageway Stood At The Start Of Elizabeth Bay Road & Onslow Avenue. The Stables Were Located At Holdsworth Avenue
* Jenner House -
- "Greenknowe" - DEMOLISHED - Made Greenknowe Avenue
- "Orwell House" - DEMOLISHED - Made Orwell Street
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.
This cottage was purchased and considerably added to & converted into a house by Mr Sparke, who named it "Maranamah", & his family lived there for a time. Located at 64 Macelay Street.
Fitzroy Gardens wasn't always a public Space & Park. There used to be 3 Exlusively Beautiful Homes on the land.
"Maramanah" was built in the 1840's for the shipping Merchant Deloitte. The house was then sold to Anna Challis.....
From There it went through many owners, including the Hollander Family Who featured in Robin Dalton's 1965 Memoir Aunts Up The Cross"
During the Second World War, "Maranamah" became a recreational centre for the USA Navy & then a Royal Navy Canteen. When the War was over, several returned Servicemen & their families Squatted in the 20 Room Mansion, demanding they be allowed to live in it. There was a lack of Post War Housing, & the Community supported them but the Mood Changed when it was alleged that Communist Party Meetings were taking Place inside.
"Maranamah" was taken over by the City Of Sydney, & operated as a Hostel until the Mansion & its Grounds were added to The Parcel of land from which Fitzroy Gardens was created and demolished in 1954.
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"Cairo" - 81 Macleay Street
The Ikon building - formerly the Chevron Hotel - may have a Special Place in Potts Point History, but it actually stands On the Site of A Plush hotel & Guesthouse named "Cairo". Featuring 2 Lawn Tennis Courts & a large Garden. "Cairo" Started its life as a Mansion Called "Prestonville" & Only became a Hotel in 1911.
In 1929 Mrs JJ Copeman sold "Cairo" at 81 Macleay Street for 45,000 Pounds to Mr LH Hinks. It was his intention to build a Big Block Of Flats on the site.
It Was Widely Regarded As one Of The Most Beautiful Buildings in Kings Cross, until it was Knocked Down in 1959 to Make Way for Sydneys Most cutting Edge Hotel.
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"Barnclueth" adjoining "Roslyn Hall" was occupied by Mr John Brown, Senior Partner of Brown & Co, wine & spirit merchants & afterwards Mr Hernry Moore, the Agent for P&O company, when the Steamers of the company only arrived once a month, & fired a gun off Fort Denison to announce their arrival. It was later purchased by Mr Amos, the Contractor, & added to & modernised, & is now called "Kinneil" & utilised as a boarding house
Following down Macleay Street, next to the house occupied Mr Hodgson, the land was vacant until arriving at "Greenknowe", also on portion of the Macleay Grant, the residence of Mr John Gilchrist the Senior Partnert of Gilchrist, Watt & Co & it was ultimately purchased
Next came two smaller dwellings, & then "Larbert Lodge" which was built & tenanted by Mr C.D. Riddell, the Colonial Treasurer.
Next to this property was a stone rubble wall, the western boundary of the Macleay Grant, down to the centre of Potts Point, where "Chatsworth": was built in later days by the Hon C J Roberts. This Wall was erected by William Sharp Mackey, a son of Alexander Macleay. He was a recluse & a naturalist. He had the credit of having loose bloodhounds about the property as a safeguard against thieves & marauders, but I think this was only meant for a scare. He always guarded the beach on Elizabeth Bay, & wouldn't allow anyone to land there, or even anchor a boat there. The Macleay property was 54 Aceres in extent, & was granted to Mr Alexander Macleay By Governor Darling in 1828, who in despatch to the Right Honourable William Huskinsson, dated 128th March 1828 stated: - "The land granted to Mr Macelay at Elizabeth Bay, a mile & a half from Sydney, was for the purpose of erecting a family house & cultivating a garden. Mr Macleays knowledge as a Horticulturalist is likely to prove beneficial to the Colony. He has already spent a considerable sum on the improvement & cultivation of his grounds, & in erecting a stable & offices preparatory to building a house, which it is his intention shortly to commence, From the manner in which he has entered into this undertaking & scale on which he has commenced to settle & stock the land he has received for agricultural purposes ( the usual grant of 2,500 acres), he will, no doubt, prove an important acquisition to the Colony in this respect alone, the Capital which he has already vested in stock & is still continuing to expand, being considerable."
The Grant took in all Elizabeth Bay & the Western Frontage of Rushcutter's Bay, as far as the Eastern boundary of "Roslyn Hall". It was approached by Elizabeth Bay Rd, as at present. The house was the present "Elizabeth Bay House", another good speccimen of the family mansion.
The frontage to Macleay Street, from the corner of Elizabeth Bay Rd to "Chatsworth" was later built upon.
The rest of the estate, with the exception of Elizabeth bay House, & grounds, was later divided into numerous building allotment by Mr Alexander Macleay's Son, the late Sir George Macleay, & let on long building leases, on which the present residence & villas were erected. The formal Grant was dated 19th October 1831. Elizabeth Point was so named by Governor Macquarie after his wife's Second Name. The Native name was "Yarrandabby"
A large portion of land near ther extreme Potts Point, 11 Acres in extent, was originally granted to Mr Judge Adviocate John Wylde on the 1st November 1822 (who was the last Judge Advocate, & for a short time a Judge of the Supreme Court under the Charter of 1823) who delayed fuilfilling the conditions of the grant, for Governor Darling in the above despatch of 26th March 1828 states :- "The Allotment bearing Judge Wyldes name was grasnted to that Gentleman by Governor Macquarie several years sincce, & still remains unimproved. I propose writing to inform the Judge that it will be resumed by the Government unless the conditions of the grant are speedily fulfilled. "
However, he ultimately fulfilled the conditions. he subsequently converyed 6 & a half acres of it to Mr J.H. Potts, who was one of the early officers of the Bank Of New South Wales, hence the Name Potts Point. It was also called Point Campbell in a survery by Governor Phillip in 1792. The native name was "Carrageen" The street from the end of Macleay Street opposite "Grantham" is called Wylde Street, evidently after the judge.
On the North Side of this street, built on this land, were the present "Bellevue", "Clarens","Creelwood", "Clifford","Tarana", some of which have been rebuilt or added to or renamed, including the site of Mr W.R. Halls modern "Wildfell", & opposite thereto "Bomerah", belonging to the McQuade family, a few years ago occupied by the Admiral on the station. Then the property "Cintra" & "Campbell lodge" (a portion of the same grant) of Mr J F Hilly, the architect, & opposite this was "Grantham Ville" built on the remaining four & half acres of John Wyldes Grant. This land, on which the house was erected, became, through the purchase from the Judge, the property of Mr Caleb Wilson, the fatheer of Felix Wilson, a defendant in the celebrated Newtown Ejectment Suit of "Devine v Wilson"
he Built the first house on the property, which he called "Caleb Castle" & by reason of its turrets, it was also known as the "Pepper Pot", & afterwards as "Grantham Ville"; it subsequently became the property of Mr F Parbury. It then passed into the hands of the Late Mr Henry Dangar, & it is now owned by his son the Hon H.C. Dangar M.L.C, who almost wholly rebuilt it in 1870, and changed the name to "Grantham"
Immediately Opposite "Grantham Ville" was "Clarens" before mentioned, which was in 1847 purchased by Mr George Richard Griffiths, father of Mr F.C Griffiths who came out to Sydney as the General Manager of the Bank Of Australasia, & after resigning this appointment he conducted a Merchants business in Sydney under the style Of Griffiths, Graham & Co. He sold out when he went to England in 1853.
Later this property was occupied by Sir James Martin, the Chief Justice, & is now under the name of "Wilga", owned & occupied by Dr Faithful.
On the West side Of Macleay Street, next to "Grantham" came Dr Douglas's Grant of 8 Acres & 9 Perches on the 19th October 1831. He afterwards sold it 22nd September 1832 to Colonel Shadforth, Who built "Adelaide Cottage" on it. The land extended from Macleay Street down to the waters of Woolloomooloo Bay. The whole property came later into the possession of Mr J.H. Challis (Manager for Messrs Flower, Salting & Co, who gave it with another property as a magnificent Bequest, valued at 250,000 Pounds to the University of Sydney. For some time after his deatth it was occupied by Mr MacDonald, of MacDonald Smith & Co.
Buildings Mentioned -
- Adelaide Cottage - Demolished
- Alberto Terrace - Demolished
- Barham - Demolished
- Barnclueth aka Kinniel - Demolished
- Bayswater Terrace - Demolished
- Bellevue - Demolished
- Bomerah
- Brougham Lodge - Demolished
- Cairo - aka Prestonville - Demolished
- Campbell Lodge - Demolished
- Chatsworth - Demolished
- Cheverells - Demolished
- Cintra - Demolished
- Clarens - aka "Wilga" Demolished
- Clifford - Demolished
- Craigend - Hyndes windmill - Demolished
- Creelwood - Demolished
- Eaton - Demolished
- Elizabeth Bay House
- Goderich Lodge - Demolished
- Grantham - Demolished
- Greenknowe - Demolished
- Hillside - Demolished
- Jenner House
- Kellett House - Demolished
- Kurragheen - Demolished
- Lara - Demolished
- Larbert Lodge - Demolished
- Maranamah - Demolished
- Orwell House - Demolished
- Rockwall
- Rosebank - Demolished
- Rose Hall - Demolished
- Roslyn Hall - Demolished
- Seven Oakes - Demolished
- Springfield - Demolished
- Tarana - Demolished
- Tarmons - Partly Demolished
- Telford Lodge - Demolished
- Tusculum
- Waratah - Demolished
- Wildfell - Demolished
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