Happy Days

Statement of Significance

Happy Days has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place, with its individual tea rooms, bridges, bathing sheds, landscaped grounds and other resort facilities as well as the structures and infrastructure relating to the farming side of the property is representative of the skill, vision and ingenuity of its early owners Ernest D. Townsley and building contractor Charles Frederick Layton. The place was one of the most popular and extensive holiday resorts established in Albany and which had continuous operations until the present day. The original residence is one of the oldest stone houses built in the district and still extant. The place represents the enduring position that Albany has held as a popular and desirable seaside and holiday resort destination which resulted in the many purpose built hotels and hostels as well as the conversion of many private house into guest houses and hostels to meet the demand both in the town and in the outlying districts.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Set close to and facing the river in large landscaped grounds • Large bungalow with coarse faced stone walls • Cement rendered quoins on corners • Wide rendered architraves to windows and doors reflecting strong Regency influences on the original design • Windows and doors both deeply recessed showing thickness of walls • Corrugated iron roof • Cement verandah floors • Verandah around two sides of the house • 1930s addition has large gable wing with a timber infill in the gable, brick rendered with side hung wooden framed windows

History

Captain Skinner purchase land at King River in 1890 that would become the place known today as Happy Days Tea Rooms and holiday Park and later Millbrook House. By 1897, Skinner’s property was owned by Mr Ernest D Townsley a former officer of P&O Steamship Co. and was also the lessee of the Royal George Hotel. Townsley and his wife kept pigs, chickens, fowls and ducks and also built a stable of four stalls with his own hands and established and orchard. A report in the paper at the time of his purchase described Townsley’s property noting ‘His garden lies along the dark and silent King River and his house is one of the most picturesque in the district’. (Albany Advertiser 26 July 1898). The main residence was either constructed by Skinner or Townsley but built by 1898. In 1901, after the first few years of Townsley’s ownership, the property was being managed by his brother Henry and it was called Townsleigh: This property is a good one, and covers an area of 450 acres, which is all fenced and sub-divided into five paddocks There are eight acres of fruit trees in bearing and this year an additional hundred were put in. The buildings comprise a neat stone house of nine rooms and bathroom, well furnished and having a broad verandah on three sides. The other buildings are cottage, stable (four stalls), chaff house, cart shed, washhouse, bathing shed, boat house and fowl house, all fairly well built. There are yards for keeping and rearing poultry, facilities for keeping breeds distinct…There are three boats which are at the disposal of friends lent on pleasure, some of them have been taken to Albany by water. I noticed young crops of peas, beans, turnip, carrot, lettuce, onion, &c. The garden has been neglected the past two years, but the land being in good heart it will soon be put in order, Pinus insignus have been planted along the front fence, and in various parts of the land near the homestead are some evergreen and deciduous shrubs. The land is intended for grazing. It is rather heavily timbered and a considerable sum will have to be expended before natural pasture will grow. There are three horses kept on the place, but no cattle. (Albany Advertiser 13 August 1901) By 1905, Charles Frederick Layton owned Townsley’s estate. Layton was already a well-known undertaker and building contractor especially for his work on the Albany Court House (1897) and the Wesley Manse in Duke Street ((1903). It was Layton who first established the tea room at this property, which he called “King River Tea Rooms”: A long-felt want has been satisfied by the establishment of the King River tea rooms. The drive to the bridge is among the most picturesque in the State, and the excellence of the road adds to its attractions. Little wonder, therefore, that the trip should rank high in public favor. The distance, however, is seven miles, and a stopping place to breathe the horses and refresh the travellers was greatly needed. Enterprise on the part of Mr. C. F. Layton has now provided for public requirements, and the King River should become a popular resort during the summer months. Mr. Layton has purchased the estate of Mr. Townsley. The property, which comprises 290 acres, extends for about a mile along the river frontage, to the north of the bridge. That portion under cultivation consists of six acres. Fruit trees occupy most of the area, but ample space is given up to pleasure grounds. Immediately adjoining the bridge Mr. Layton has erected half a dozen tea houses, and there, surrounded by a garden, refreshments may be obtained at moderate charges. A very pretty view of the river is to be obtained from this point, and as a number of boats are on hire the pleasures of the water may be enjoyed to the full. Cows and poultry are kept on the estate, and the fare provided is of the best. Special attention is given to ladies, and the comfort of all is studied in every way. (Albany Advertiser 11 November 1905) Charles Frederick Layton died in August 1927 aged 76. In addition to his contracting business and the tea rooms, he served on council for 12 years. In 1912, Layton’s property including the King River Tea Rooms were on the market: This property must be well-known to all Albany visitors, and is acknowledged to be the picked beauty-spot of this picturesque district. The improvements consist of massive stone house, five rooms, with verandah all round, also one room 25 feet long, and six other rooms. All necessary outbuildings, wash house (concrete floor), man's room, woodshed, etc., stabling, barn, cart shed, cowshed, fowl-house, etc., etc.; also separately constructed tea rooms and six kiosks. About 12 acres orchard, doing well. The property is securely fenced, and suitably subdivided, and well watered. Everything for sale as a going concern, including six boats, boatshed, double bathing-house, swinging boats, shooting gallery, farming implements, spring cart, crockery, and numerous sundries, also three cows and ten water tanks. (Albany Advertiser 14 February 1912) The King River Tea Rooms were then managed by a Mrs Barrett then a Mrs Carter. In 1929 the property was purchased by Mr Wheatley: Plantagenet Location A18, containing 278 acres, 30 acres cleared and cultivated, small orchard, together with 10 roomed house, situated eight miles from Albany, to Mr Wheatley. (Albany Advertiser 27 August 1929) By 1930 the place was reopened by the Wheatleys as “Happy Day Tearooms and Holiday Park with Mrs A Wheatley the proprietress. During the 1930s the verandahs were partially enclosed for accommodation. During this period the granite walls of the house were painted and the large gabled brick extension was added. In 1935 the Wheatleys put Happy Days on the market for sale which was by now a well-known and popular holiday resort: Substantial stone and wood guest house, with annexed cottage and outhouses, standing in delightful gardens, laid out with lawns and flower beds, intersected by lily ponds, amply shaded. Direct frontage to river. Fruit trees in full bearing. Property in all totals 275 acres, with 50 acres pasture. Own dairy herd. Necessary farming equipment. If not desired as guest house, for which an established connection is assured, the property would admirably suit a retired pastoralist desiring to establish a model dairy farm under ideal conditions. (Southern Districts Advocate 16 December 1935) In 1937 Happy Days was being run by Mr and Mrs F Roenfeldt: Here a naturally beautiful spot on the river bank has been cleverly improved, and made into a charming resort, with winding lily ponds, grassy lawns and vivid flower gardens. Just seven miles from Albany, over a splendid road, it is almost an "obligatory" trip for visitors and very few indeed fail to include a trip to Happy Days in their Albany holiday. Its delicious afternoon teas are justly famed, and a truly happy day can be spent in exploring the gardens, bathing in the river, and then enjoying a repast in one of the shady corners of the garden. (Sunday Times 19 December 1937) With the death of Mrs Roenfeldt on top of war time restrictions Happy Days became run down. The Timewells then took over and in 1950 the Dickensons, who had run the Albany Hotel, took over from the Timewells. In 1951, Happy Days became the home of Rev G V Johnson. While Johnson lived in the house, it appears that he leased or sold the area containing the Happy Days Tea Rooms in 1952 to Mr and Mrs Alderson. However, the gardens had become quite neglected and the Tea Rooms were closed while the Aldersons carried out improvements. John Greathead owned the house in the 1980’s. He restored the house from a run-down boarding house with walled-in veranda rooms, to a beautiful home with lovely gardens. John Also build an 18 hole mini golf course or ‘putt-putt’ which was very popular. The course included a miniature castle with moat and a working waterweel millhouse. The Campbell family bought the house in the mid 1990’s and ran an upholstery business and self-contained accommodation was available.They ran the mini golf too but it was too labour intensive to keep up and eventually tree roots ruined it and it was closed in the late 1990’s. The Campbells also hosted many weddings in the lovely gardens. Many couples had their wedding photo’s taken in the grounds by the river and the beautiful lily ponds beneath the weeping willow trees. The Campbell family sold the house to the Hoopers in 2002 whom separated and sold to her father Goeff Faulkes in 2011. Tom and Ruth Haight bought the property in 2014 and have restored in over the years.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High/Moderate Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update