King Street 17
| Place type: | Building |
|---|---|
| Address: | 17 King Street |
| Town or Locality: | Gawler |
DESCRIPTION:
This single-storey, double-fronted asymmetrical villa is an example of quality Victorian detailing constructed of overpainted dressed stone with overpainted brick quoins and dressings. The hipped roof is clad with corrugated metal and features bracketed eaves. Windows are timber-framed, double-hung sashes. The dwelling features a secondary entry to the projecting bay with paired French panelled timber doors. Chimneys are overpainted brick with corbelled caps. The front fence is non-original brick with steel panels.
STATEMENT OF HERITAGE VALUE:
This late Victorian villa represents the progression of residential development in the older parts of Gawler from rented workers’ tenements, to housing of more middle class residential character, and the ‘gentrification’ of a formerly industrial precinct. It demonstrates aesthetic merit in its construction and use of local materials and local tradespeople.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The Town of Gawler was first surveyed and planned by Light, Finnis & Co in 1839 as part of the Gawler Special Survey sponsored by a consortium of wealthy investors including Henry Dundas Murray, John Reid & others. The original town plan devised by Light and laid out by William Jacob comprised 240 acres, made up of 100 acres of allotments (as 200 half-acre allotments) and 140 acres of streets, parklands, city squares, churches, cemeteries and other public places. Each of the original Special Survey investors was allocated township blocks along with their country acres, proportionate to the extent of their investment.
The property comprises a portion of Allotment 179 of subdivision of section 24 laid out as Gawler. This allotment was initially allocated in the 1839 Survey to John Reid. Earliest records of subsequent ownership date back to 1875 when the property, with a rateable value of £5, was owned by James Allen. The rate books from 1877-1890 indicate that the allotment was fenced land with no dwelling. From 1877-88 the property was in the ownership of L S Burton. A former headmaster of St George’s private school and the Gawler State School, Leonard Samuel Burton, ran a private boarding school in King Street, and owned several other properties in the area including Lot 174 (also in King St) from the 1850s, Lot 61 (Finniss St) from the 1860s, and Lot 106 (Finniss St) in 1875. A prominent citizen of the town Burton (182401895) was elected Mayor three times and was an energetic contributor in numerous civic activities.
In 1889-90 ownership of part Allotment 179 was transferred to James Prendergast, of Gawler, Tailor and Clothier, (who also owned another property in King Street) and subsequently the following year (1891) to Celia (Selina) Mankey, widow [see Cr Thomas Mankey]. In March 1891 the property was transferred to James Forgie, carpenter. It is likely that the villa was constructed in the 1890s by Forgie’s family business, Taylor and Forgie, a notable local building company. James Forgie retained ownership until February 1949 when the property was sold to Berthold Feuerherdt, farmer.
Please <click here> to view photos of 17 King Street.
Acknowledgments
This report has been prepared by the following people:
• Nancy Cromar (Flightpath Architects)
• Deborah Morgan (Flightpath Architects)
• Kate Paterson (Flightpath Architects)
• Douglas Alexander (Flightpath Architects)
The study team would like to acknowledge the assistance of the following people:
• David Petruzzella (Strategic Planner; Town of Gawler)
• Jacinta Weiss (Cultural Heritage Centre Coordinator; Town of Gawler)
• Jane Strange (Senior Development and Strategic Policy Officer; Town of Gawler)
Gawler History Team Inc. thanks:
Flightpath Architects, Ryan Viney and the Town of Gawler for allowing us access to this important document of Gawler History.
www.flightpatharchitects.com.au
.
Related Articles
References
- LTO CT 534/91
- Gawler Rate Assessment Books North Ward 1858-1890/91
- State Library of SA Plan of Gawler Town (Warren
- 1863)
- http:/oa.anu.edu.au/obiturary/burton-leonard-samuel-23545
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