Bakery & Residence (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

02864 Blandstown Heritage Precinct

Statement of Significance

Residence and Bakehouse is a rare remaining example of a c.1860 residence and bakehouse. The residence is good representative example of Victorian Georgian architectural style. Historically it represents one of the early enterprises that developed in Blandstown. It makes a contribution to the historic townscapes of the Blandstown precinct, and of the town of York.

Physical Description

The residence has an expansive frontage that is balanced across the rendered front wall with door and window (multi-paned) openings. The high-pitched hipped roof extends over the full-length skillion front veranda that is supported by square timber posts. The veranda extends down the south side with a hipped juncture. A sculpted timber valance detail runs along the underside of the gutter board across the front. A single chimney corbelled face brick chimney is central on the roof ridge. The bakehouse is set apart from the rear of the residence, addressing the secondary street. It is a single room painted face brick on a stone foundation with a gabled front with a double-hung multi-paned window. The entry door is on the east side accessing the rear of the residence. As well as the Bakehouse, there are other outbuildings and part of the large underground tank system that provided water for the house and bakery.

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 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. In 1857 William Edwards, yeoman purchased this site for his daughter Caroline Horley who had been widowed that year. He later built a store for her to run. In 1882, Maxwell Ferguson and William Mumme both brewers purchased Mrs Horley’s bakery for 65 pounds. The bakehouse was at one time known as Mercer’s bakery. A general store was operating from the house for some time until the 1960s. The Residence and Bakehouse is an example of the enterprise of the early settlers and the ongoing development of Blandstown.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate/high

Condition

Fair/good

Uses

Creation Date

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