Houses

Parent Place or Precinct

02864 Blandstown Heritage Precinct

Statement of Significance

Whittler’s Cottage is historically significant for the associations with Robert Wheeler who had 5 houses built; four for rental and his own at No 4, and the others at Nos, 2, 10, 12, and 14 Wheeler Street. Wansbrough who constructed the houses is of significance as a reputable builder and identity of the period. Whittler’s Cottage represents the 1860’s period and Wansbrough construction, demonstrating an early dwelling that makes a contribution to the historic townscapes of the Blandstown precinct, and of the town of York.

Physical Description

The single storey cottage has a low-pitched hipped roof. The front verandah is a skillion extension of the main roof. The symmetrical cottage frontage evidences the original central entry and flanking multi-paned double hung windows recessed from the outside flanking additions. Each of the veranda additions is a room within the veranda space under the veranda roof and along the side of the cottage. The painted brick seems to be Colonial bond. Central on the front wall of each infill is a vertical slender 3-pane window opening. The splayed header detail on all the windows and the door opening is the same detail. No chimney is evident on the roof line.

History

After York was opened for selection in 1830, the first settlers, arrived in 1831 from the Swan River settlement with the task of establishing a Government Farm. Balladong Farm was settled in 1831 by William Heal, later H. Bland after whom Blandstown is named. Stephen Stanley Parker had arrived in the Colony with his parents in 1830. After marrying Elizabeth Sewell in 1844 he purchased Balladong Farm in 1848. During the 1850s, Parker developed the property into a successful farm. The “village” now known as Blandstown, the oldest privately settled part of the York town, developed around Balladong Farm due to the influential presence, water supply, and the river crossing.
In 1883 SS Parker sold one acre of locations u and v to Robert J Wheeler, a wheelwright, for 40 pounds. Robert Wheeler represents the enterprise of the early settlers in Blandstown having organised the construction of 5 houses in Wheeler Street in the 1860s. The Wheeler brothers built houses for themselves at Nos 2 and 4, and then cottages for their workers at Nos 10, 12, 14 Wheeler Street. Wheeler utilised the reputable building expertise of Wansbrough in partnership with Christie.
No.2 is more substantial than the workers cottages, for one of the Wheeler brothers.
In 1870, Wheeler Street was gazetted as a public roadway. It was called Hooley Street at that time and officially changed to Wheeler Street in c.1949.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate/High
Authenticity: Moderate/High

Condition

Fair/Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.