Paradise Cottage

Statement of Significance

The place is a modest cottage dating from the 1860s, displaying characteristic Victorian Georgian styling, and is set in a domestic garden with the remains of an early orchard.
The place is associated with the Marsh Family who were prominent citizens in Armadale.
The place is valued as the residence of the Marsh family, early farming settlers in the district and the association with the mail and passenger coached on the Albany Road in the 1870’’s and 1880s.
The place has the characteristic form of the simple Victorian Georgian style farmhouses commonly built around this era.
The place is a rare as an extant simply-designed farmhouse, built in the first thirty years of the establishment of the colony and demonstrates some of the characteristics of this type of building.

Physical Description

Paradise Cottage is set down below the road and is located at the end of a gravel driveway that runs parallel to Albany Highway. At its entrance is a gravel circular driveway and two timber-framed carports with the cottage to the right of these. The single-storey cottage is typical of the Georgian style, with rendered masonry walls and an iron broken-back roof incorporating a verandah. The verandahs are enclosed, apart from small sections on the east and west elevations. The cottage is partially concealed from view by an overgrown garden and the remains of an orchard.

History

This was built around 1860 as the home of the Marsh family. The area (named 'Paradise') was originally settled by the Batt family, who cleared the land for viticulture, dairying, vegetable and fruit growing, and also established a flour mill. John Marsh purchased the 'Paradise' farm around 1857, where he lived until his accidental death in 1872. 'Paradise' farm was then occupied by John Marsh's son, Edward Wellman Marsh, and his four children. A further seven children were later born at 'Paradise'. In 1905, George Frederick Marsh and Christina Marsh (nee Batt) took over 'Paradise', where they remained until the subdivision and sale of the property in 1919.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate-High
Moderate-Low

Condition

Good-Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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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.