House

Parent Place or Precinct

02864 Blandstown Heritage Precinct

Statement of Significance

Residence, 31 Avon Terrace is an example of the original Georgian residence with an added Federation gable frontage in 1890 that demonstrates an era of development in Blandstown at the time. It makes a contribution to the historical townscape of York.

Physical Description

The single storey residence has a double frontage with a protruding gable. The predominantly hipped roof is separate from the veranda that has a bullnose roof supported by timber posts. The feature gable has a curved half-timbered detail over roughcast and a finial at the apex. The protruding gable room with a central rectangular bay is detailed with face bricks with a contrasting quoin colour as for the quoins on the main front wall. The main part of the residence (including under the front veranda) is constructed of random coursed stone that is pointed on the façade. The front windows are double-hung sashes, with the gable window flanked by sidelights. The front door set has sidelights and a fanlight. The tall chimneys are face brick with corbelled tops. The small brick and stone Edwardian house was built on part of the block originally comprising of 29 Avon Terrace, by some members of the family who owned 29 Avon Terrace. The block was subdivided from the larger block and in 1911 a large room of brick was built close to the adjoining house. It had an ornate side door, which has now been converted to a window. A brick and stone house with brick quoins. The building has a characteristic high pitched corrugated iron roof, decorative verandah at the front, decorated gable and window canopy. By 1919 three more stone rooms had been added to the large brick room, adjoined by a small passage way. A front and back verandah was added (iron lace decorating the front). Much later the back verandah was converted to a bathroom and laundry. Missing is a large curved awning from the front window of the brick room. In 1992 it was thought to be causing cracking in that wall and was removed.

History

This house was originally used as a sitting come music room for 29 Avon Terrace. It is also the location of one of the earliest schooling sites. This school certainly pre-dated the present house and was conducted by Mr George Pope. 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 very 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. This butchers shop is an example of the enterprise of the early settlers in Blandstown.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate/high

Condition

Fair/good

Uses

Creation Date

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