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A Chaffey Family
Compiled by Martin Clark Powell
and Co-compiled by Susan Chaffey Powell
Chaffey Houses
Upper Left--Rio Vista
Built between 1889 and 1892 by William Benjamin Chaffey(1856-1926), the house
served for many years as his family home in Mildura, Victoria, Australia. Following the death
of the second Mrs. Chaffey it was purchased by the Mildura City Council, converted into
Mildura’s first art gallery and opened to the public in 1956. Later, a new art gallery was built
adjacent and the home became a museum. Today it is part of the Mildura Arts Centre
complex and serves as a hub for local events and functions.
Upper Right--Bedford Mills
Built as a stone gristmill in 1847 by William Chaffey(1810-1890), it was part of a thriving
community around Benjamin Tett’s saw mill at Buttermilk Falls during the time that the Tett
and Chaffey families were partners in timber and forwarding in Ontario, Canada. The town
of Bedford Mills is all but a ghost town today but the Chaffey gristmill has been historically
restored as a private residence.
Top Center--Somerset
Home of Benjamin Chaffey(1806-1867), it was built in 1859 by Benjamin for himself and
his wife Janet Chisholm Chaffey. They lived out their lives in this home. In 1906 it became
St. Albans School for Boys until the school closed in 1949. R.G.L. (Bertie) Mainwaring,
son of the third headmaster, still lives in the home. It is located in Brockville, Ontario,
Canada.
Bottom Center--Chaffey-Garcia House
Located in Etiwanda(city of Rancho Cucamonga), California, U.S.A., this house was
purchased by George Chaffey(1848-1932) in 1881 from Captain Joseph Garcia. The first
house in Etiwanda, it was built in 1874. The house was used as home and business hub to
George, his wife Annette and their three sons while George and his brothers founded and
developed the areas of Etiwanda, Ontario and Upland. During the 1980’s and 1990’s the
house, slated for destruction, was moved to its present location and painstakingly restored
by the Etiwanda Historical Society as aided by grants and labor contributions of civic
groups and individuals. Today, the house, barn and grounds serve as a museum and civic
attraction.