The Nelson Grange

Values

· The elements of the place form a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing Homestead group. The building structures have a high degree of architectural integrity and are situated within extensive cottage gardens and lawns adjacent to a large dam.
· The place is possibly the most intact Homestead Group in the South West region and is one of the earliest constructed.
· The place was considered to be the largest farm in the South West at the turn of the 20th century.
· The place was established by John Allnut, believed to be the founder of the orchard industry in the South West.

Physical Description

The Nelson Grange is located approximately 15 km south west of Bridgetown, and contains the original residence, an old Barn and another small cottage within a picturesque landscaped 40 acre park of green lawns, streams and ponds, extensive cottage gardens and a large dam with floating timber platform and rotunda. The site is accessed via a gravel drive that leads northwest off Grange Road over a small stream and avenue of young poplar trees, through a post and rail fence and timber framed and iron entry pavilion, to the front of the residence. A secondary entrance follows an avenue of trees in a westerly direction from the entry pavilion around to the back of the house and the dam. The general landscape design is semi formal with romantic characteristics, with the residence sited on the eastern side of a gently sloping hill, a natural stream and man made ponds to the north, south and east, and formal gardens, a tennis court and dam to the south. The barn and cottage are located immediately east of the residence. The Nelson Grange is a single storey brick and iron structure with ‘L’ shaped plan form, hipped roof with simple brick corbelled chimney, broken backed verandah to the north, south and west, and a later extension to the east that utilises the fall in the land to provide an undercroft for parking. The facades are highlighted by timber framed French doors and windows with small panes, prominent moulded stucco surrounds, and a timber verandah supported with decorative stop chamfered posts and scalloped valance.
The Barn is a large timber framed and slab structure with simple rectangular plan form and gabled corrugated iron roof with separately articulated pole verandahs. A gabled entrance on the west elevation also provides dormer access to the roof loft. The building is reported to be the first barn constructed in the area in 1852, and has been stabilised and conserved as it was found, including irregular roof lines. South of the Barn is a small timber framed and iron cottage with simple rectangular gabled roof form, brick chimney, and timber veranda with stop chamfered posts and vertical balustrading contained under the main roof. The battened gables are of similar construction detail to the east extension to the main residence, and suggest the two were constructed at the same time.

History

Prior to 1850 all land was disposed of by sale. However in 1850 legislation was passed which made provision for pastoral leases on land more than two miles from the coast, occupied townships or principal rivers. Leases cost 10s. per 1 000 acres for an eight year period with the prospect of renewal at the end of that period. As a direct result settlers began moving into the timber country of the south-west. In 1852 Assistant Surveyor Augustus Charles Gregory explored extensively in the Nelson District and undertook the first official survey of the area. A second survey was undertaken at around the same period by Robert Austin. In 1857 the first settlers in the Bridgetown area were EG Hester and J Blechynden. John Allnutt in 1859 settled seven miles to the south-east of Bridgetown and established Nelson Grange. A survey of the area was conducted by T Campbell Carey with John Forrest as assistant surveyor. John Blechynden’s land on the north side of the river was acquired by the government for the townsite of Bridgetown. The Nelson Grange was claimed to be the largest farm in the South West at the turn of the twentieth century. John Allnut, the original owner, is considered to be the founder of the orchard industry in south-west.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

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.