Wendover

 

Wendover was built in two stages and this is quite noticeable as the architectural styles used are different. The mansion was one of largest in New Town and the grounds occupied the whole block bounded by the surrounding streets.

The two story section was built in mid 1830’s and the single story in the late 1840’s

The mature trees in the centre of the cul-de-sac which remain from the original garden are listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.

More on the history can be read by clicking here.

Section built 1830’s Section built 1840’s

Johns

Many of the buildings in St Johns Avenue are quite historic and the area is considered as a heritage site of local, state and national significance.  Several of the most significant buildings were designed by John Lee Archer, a skilled colonial architect, including the Orphan School and St Johns Church.  Construction took place between 1831 and 1834.
The church is the most obvious building as you go up the avenue, but beside it on the northern side is what was known as the Orphan School.  It was to house orphans in the colony and used for that purpose until it closed in 1879.  After that it housed women including those who were destitute.  In all it has a sad history and inmates were expected to work and could not freely come and go, while women suffered abuse. Life was harsh and repressive and punishment included solitary confinement.

For more history and old drawing and photos click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Johns Church 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orphan School building 2013

New Town Bay

Burrows Tannery
Samuel Burrows bought land that was part of Poplarville in 1846 and built a house and his son established tannery there in 1869. The operation grew and produced disagreeable and offensive smells and neighbours tried unsuccessfully in 1894 to have it closed. Four of the wealthy neighbours eventually bought it in 1906 and closed the tannery down. In 1942 it became a plant nursery so the nature of the smell changed to a more agreeable odour.
Poplarville
This land was also part of the Swanston property with the building being constructed in 1844 or soon after. The owner, Henry Pearce planted the Norfolk Island pines in 1856 and they have grown to dominate and shade the house. The Pearce family owned the property for 110 years before subdividing it and finally selling the old stone residence.

Lauderdale
The land was originally part of a larger estate owned by Charles Swanston who sold this portion in 1844 to John Mezgar, a publican who had Lauderdale built. It was bought by the Jordan family and then was passed on to the Tolman family who preserved and maintained the house and gardens until 2004. It was the only example of a colonial cottage with an adjoining orchard. The future of the property is now somewhat uncertain.
Clonsilla - Cawarra
John McGrath purchased 4 acres on the northern side of Risdon Road in November 1845 and lived in a cottage near the railway embankment. In 1856 he arranged for Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Hamilton to build a new house, named Clonsilla, which Hamilton would rent. Hamilton had some notoriety for using government resources for private building purposes. David Hood purchased the property in 1864 for £1000. By 1903 when it was purchased by James Taylor it was named Cawarra and when advertised for sale in 1950 it was over one hundred years old and it was beginning to show its age. Cowarra we purchased by Stewart MacGregor who successfully restored the properly at a time before the value of preserving historic buildings was widely recognised.
 
 
The information has been taken with permission from the publication Story of New Town Bay by Donald Howatson.  It is available for purchase from the New Town Newsagency on New Town Road.
For the full story go to the web site

Prospect Farm

This is part of an historical series to take geocachers to some noteworthy buildings in the New Town area.
This is micro, so you will need to bring a pen to write in the log.

The property was part of a 100 acres grant of land on the southern side of the New Town Rivulet given to Thomas Hayes by Lieutenant-Governor David Collins. The property was known as Prospect Farm and by May 1817 it was in the possession of Alfred Luttrell, the district constable for New Town.  By 1873 the property was owned by   Bartholomew Broughton who built a fine house. 

Then Charles Swanston purchased the property in 1832. Not satisfied with Broughton's house, Swanston extended the building to include a grand villa residence in the Colonial Regency style

The Tasmanian Government purchased the property in 1941 and built a maternity hospital and nurses home on the site. Broughton’s house was demolished during the construction and unfortunately the villa has had an inappropriate wing added.

The information has been taken with permission from the publication Story of New Town Bay (page 16) by Donald Howatson.  It is available for purchase from the New Town Newsagency on New Town Road.

For the full story go to the web site

Note that access is gained from Risdon Road and Emmett Place. Although it is close to Tower Road gates bar entry so do not attempt to reach the cache from that direction.