Newtown Heritage Study Review 2008 - City of Greater Geelong

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Newtown Heritage Study Review, July 2009 – Volume 1 An undated sales plan (most likely to be c. 1889) of Geelong Town Properties indicates land sales in Aberdeen Street (between Pakington Street and Frederick Street (now Cumberland Street) and land in Skene Street (Figure 2.04). This plan indicates “Fittons Cottage” located on the south-west corner of Aberdeen Street and Frederick Street and “St James School” on the opposite corner (east side of Frederick Street), southern side of Aberdeen Street. The allotment on the south east corner of Frederick Street and Aberdeen Street was shown on a Robert Balding map of the Geelong, South Barwon and Newtown in 1864. The Balding map of the Borough of Newtown and Chilwell c. June 1864, shows Aberdeen Street, George Street, Cumberland Street and an unnamed road south of Eureka Street (north side of Aberdeen Street) parallel with George Street and Skene Street (Figure 2.05) 7 . No physical evidence of these buildings appear to survive today. Subdivision plan LP8891 dated 1922 indicates the subdivision of seven allotments in Aberdeen Street west side of Frederick (Cumberland Street) (Figure 2.06). Aberdeen Street Heritage Area It was from the early 20 th century when dwellings in this precinct were constructed. The first house in the area was constructed in 1908 at 141 Aberdeen Street, with other houses constructed prior to World War 1. Yet, it was after the war when residential activity increased with 14 houses constructed between 1923 and 1931. The area is closely situated to Newtown State School No 1887 in Aberdeen Street which may have given further impetus for residential development. The increase in population may also have resulted from the opening of the tram route along Aberdeen Street in 1912. Aberdeen Street was also a major traffic route from the City centre to Fyansford and beyond to the Western District and Ballarat. History of Street Names 8 Aberdeen Street Aberdeen Street was named by Alexander J. Skene, District Surveyor, who was born in Aberdeen, which is close to Skene- the native home of the Skene clan. It was previously called Great Western Road. Cumberland Street Cumberland Street was named after the English county North End. It was previously known as Frederick Street and the name was changed on 21 November 1956. Building Owners and Construction Dates A table of the original construction dates of the dwellings and the original owners is given as follows. This data has been collated from various Directories, Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust Field Books and Rate Books. These relate to the historical evolution to the era including Victorian, Federation/Edwardian and Interwar dwellings. 7 Map of the Town of Geelong, Boroughs of South Barwon and Newtown and Chilwell 30 June 1864. 8 Compiled from W Morrow and I Wynd Street Names of Geelong, unpublished database. Prepared by City of Greater Geelong 34
Newtown Heritage Study Review, July 2009 – Volume 1 Property Address Date of Construction Original Building Owner 117 Aberdeen Street c. 1923 Frederick H Lewis 119 Aberdeen Street c. 1925 Michael J Denno 121 Aberdeen Street c. 1923 Michael J Denno 123 Aberdeen Street c. 1923 Caroline E Brown 125 Aberdeen Street c. 1924 Anthony Rowley 127 Aberdeen Street c. 1930 Thomas W Bigmore 129 Aberdeen Street c. 1923 Charles J Taylor 131 Aberdeen Street c. 1911 W M McRorie 135 Aberdeen Street c. 1923 John Lindros 137 Aberdeen Street c. 1924 John W Carr 141 Aberdeen Street c. 1908 Edward Chant 143 Aberdeen Street c. 1931 Gilbert R Hill 147 Aberdeen Street c. 1912 John Ince 149 Aberdeen Street c. 1921 with a later Patrick Francis Minogue addition 151 Aberdeen Street c. 1926 George Robinson 153 Aberdeen Street c. 1927 George Shanks 2 Cumberland Street c. 1924 Edwin Chant 4 Cumberland Street c. 1910 Alfred Carter 6 Cumberland Street c. 1911 Thomas Mills 43 George Street c. 1912 Matthew Slaughter 45 George Street c. 1912 Matthew Slaughter 6 The Lairds Way Vacant site - The table shows that most houses were built from the early 20 th century commencing in 1908 with a marked number built from the 1920s. It appears that the First World War halted residential progress. The Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust Detail Plans (96 and 98), dated 1964 and 1915 show the dwellings in the heritage area at that time (Figure 2.07 and 2.08). The Aberdeen Heritage Precinct was originally a working class area. It included residents such as Anthony Rowley, butcher of 125 Aberdeen Street and Hugh J Lawler of 6 Cumberland Street, painter. Some middle class residents included Frederick H Lewis, engineer of 117 Aberdeen Street, and R Gilbert, manager who resided at 143 Aberdeen Street. 2.3 Physical Evidence 2.3.1 Building Character & Appearance The Aberdeen Street Heritage Precinct is a residential area predominantly identified by detached dwellings. Height The dwellings in the heritage area are predominantly single storey in appearance and height (photos 2.01 -2.08) There are some two storey dwellings that have a single storey appearance as viewed from the street, with the two storey elements largely included in the roof gable or are well recessed from the front (photo 2.09) Form, Design and Scale, Construction and Finish The dwellings in the Aberdeen Street Heritage Precinct comprise early 20 th century and interwar eras (Federation, Edwardian, Interwar Bungalow and Interwar Californian Bungalow design buildings). Prepared by City of Greater Geelong 35
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Newtown Heritage Study Review 2008 - City of Greater Geelong

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