Stables, rear 37 Walsh Street, South Yarra
Gould, Meredith27/8/1984
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Stables, rear 37 Walsh Street, South Yarra
Creator:
Date of work:
27/8/1984
Reference number:
BIF-SY 109872-2
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
Part of:
Series: South Yarra (BIF-SY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
Period: Early VictorianConstruction date: c.1857Built for Richard Cooper.Notable features/Significance: The date of construction has not been precisely determined however it is clear that the stables were present in 1857.The land on which the stables are built is part of Crown Allotment No. 20, purchased in 1849 by Colonial J Anderson. The initial 9.5 acre allotment was later subdivided and allotments 19, 20 and half of lot 18 were sold to John Benn on 27 June 1854, for the sum of 842 pounds. Benn built a substantial home on this land, first appearing in the rate book of 1857/8 described as "brick house, stabling and kitchen, 5 rooms".Benn's house and land became 33 Walsh Street in 1860 after the original street name, Domain Place, was changed.The stables are shown in plan on the Clarke - Kearney map c. 1857 and the MMBW map of 1890. The size and position of the stables shown on these maps corresponds with the existing.In 1860 Samuel Vaughan purchased the property at 33 Walsh Street, then added to the house and began a long period of occupation. In 1901 Vaughan's daughter, Julia, was given the northern portion now known as No. 37 Walsh Street which includes the stables of the 1857 house.The Existing Building: The existing stable building is a part two storey and part single storey weatherboard structure, which has been converted into a granny flat in recent years. Both sections may form part of the c.1857 stables.Exterior Walls: On the north east and west faces the building is lined with weatherboard. A brick wall forms the south elevation, however this is believed to be an addition, probable covering the original weatherboard wall. On a substantial portion of the west and a small portion of the east walls, the weatherboards are larger than usual, approximately 200mm, exposed depth, and are hardwood, fixed with hand-made star head nails. These boards are considered to be the original. They are rare, for their large size and their hardwood composition.Exterior Roof: The gable roof is sheeted with corrugated iron, however, it is likely that it was initially covered with wood shingles, which may still exist under the iron.Interior: The original materials of the ground floor level have been covered over in many places, however the form of the original can still be seen. It appears to be two large spaces, one for the single storey and one for the two storey section, divided into bays by posts. The ceiling height is low, approximately 2100mm. A number of posts are still visible. Much of the wall surface has been covered over, however at the southern end a large section of horizontally applied tongue and groove beaded boarding is extant. This is believed to be the original internal wall material. In the single storey section the floor is brick paved ( probably original), elsewhere existing coverings conceal the floor surface.At the southern end of the stable a steep timber stair leads to the upper floor level. The stair has an elaborate newel post with simple square section balusters and a plain timber hand rail. It is believed to be the original.The first floor level presently comprises two rooms, but this may have initially been one. The ceiling is higher than the ground floor and follows the slope of the roof in its outer section.Both the walls and ceiling are lined with horizontally applied t&g beaded lining boards which are believed to be the original. The floor is t&g Baltic pine, probably extant from the 1857 structure.The upper floor is likely to have been stable-hand accommodation.All windows and doors in the structure are of a later date.Overall intactness: The form of the stables appears to be substantially intact, although in some areas later additions have covered the original. Similarly the finishes, are covered over or partly intact. The first floor interior and the southern end of the ground floor interior appear to be almost completely intact to their original form. External finishes have been partly altered but a significant proportion remain as original. All windows and doors are new.
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Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1191954
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 109872-2 | 1 PDF : 1.21 MB ; A4 | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |