Elliot Springs, House - Sugg

Statement of Significance

The building is important for its connection with the first European settlement of the area and for its association with pioneering families. The building is a fine example of the style, construction methods and use of building materials in this period.

Physical Description

The homestead is approximately is 50 metres west of Sugg Road. Built around the turn of century, it was vacated in the 1970's when the Sugg sisters moved to Katanning. The placed is named after springs 1km SE (across Rd) - near salt scalds in the creek. Also on this site was 5 acres of orchard (one remnant tree near road remains) the dam in the gully marks the orchard
site. The garden was a feature of the district. The Sugg girls propogated their own cyclamens - about 500 varieties. These were first planted on a raised stage on the south side of the house. Honeysuckle bottles (neck inserted into ground) made borders for the garden. To the back of the house was a large vegetable garden. The Suggs were almost self sufficient with their vegetables, fruit, dairy products and meat. All the garden was watered from a well to the south of the house - carted by hand. The house was used to collect water into an underground tank on the north east comer of the house.

The original house of stone comprised 4 rooms - the two front rooms have comer fireplaces. The back rooms are connected to the larger front room (lounge) with the left area being a bedroom and the other the kitchen with a fireplace. The ceilings were tongue and groove pine, tongue and groove jarrah floorboards and plastered internal walls. At the rear (right) was an asbestos type leanto.

To the north (and rear) of house (30M) is the stone mens quarters. Those who were known to live here were Tom Hart. About the shearing shed door used to be large wooden shears - have since been broken. A significant feature was the cool room at the rear (west) of the house. With stone walls and initially a thatched tea tree roof (later covered with galvanised iron). In the centre was a cellar which was used for storage of dairy products - milk, cheese, butter. Currendy filled with water but said to be about lm deep. Steps led down to the cellar.

History

Isaac Sugg came from Middleton, S.A. to select land and then returned in 1904 to bring his wife, sons Bentham (Ben), Herbert, Clem, Martin, Loyd and daughers Ellena (Lena) and Ada. Like many setders arriving by boat to Albany, the Suggs drove their large dray laden with household and farm effects the long journey to Cartmeticup. His oldest sons took up south of Ballaying on the Bullock Hills Road. The next two, Clem and Martin, took up land at Kukerin while Loyd, procured land adjoining the home selection which he named Happy Valley.

When the Sugg family arrived at Elliott Springs, Lena (who was eleven) went to Bockaring School for a short time. Ada, who was barely six when they left SA had only three weeks of formal education. She learnt to read and write from Lena After the death of their parents (in 1926 & 1930) the Sugg girls took over Elliott Springs. They were very successful farmers and Ada, being the physically stronger of the two, did the heavy work. This included the winnowing, while Lena drove the team to strip the crop. The girls had a magnificent team of horses which were their pride and joy. They also had Friesian cattle, milking ten or twelve cows most of the year. The cream was sent to the butter factory in Katanning and the skim milk was fed to their pigs. Loyd and Myra Sugg had five children after their marriage and reception at Elliott Springs in 1923. Loyd was crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and after his premature death the oldest sonJack, and his mother managed the farm until a younger brother, Laurie, was able to take over. Jack then purchased a block on the west boundary of Elliott Springs. When Lena Sugg became ill in 1971, Jack and Laurie bought the girls' farm. Lena was nursed at home by Ada until her death in 1972 at the age of 74. Ada moved to Katanning and lived there until she passed away in 1980.

Integrity/Authenticity

Original Materials: Most
Modifications: Some

Condition

Dilapidated

Uses

Historic Themes

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.