Thomas Terrace 13
| Place type: | Building |
|---|---|
| Address: | 13 Thomas Terrace |
| Town or Locality: | Gawler |
DESCRIPTION:
This single-storey, double-fronted late-Victorian villa features projecting gable bays to both sides. It is constructed of random coursed, dressed sandstone with overpainted rubble sandstone side walls and overpainted brick quoins and dressings. Projecting bays are constructed of random coursed sandstone, ruled with slatted roughcast panel and timber horn finial. Windows are timber-framed, double-hung sashes to either side of a central timber panelled door with headlight glazing to sidelights and fanlight. Chimneys are of red face brick with moulded caps. The bullnose return verandah is clad with corrugated metal and is supported on timber posts with a cast-iron frieze and corner brackets. The verandah features a non-original tessellated tile floor. A modern timber picket with reproduction cast iron driveway gates defines the street boundaries.
STATEMENT OF HERITAGE VALUE:
The villa at 13 Thomas Terrace, Gawler, demonstrates the increase in quality residential development in the area bolstered by Gawler’s prosperity and attracted by the establishment of local industry. The fine and substantially intact late-Victorian era residence displays distinctive local materials.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The site comprises Allotment 144 of sub-division of Section 24 laid out as Gawler Town. The property is bounded on three sides by Thomas Terrace, Porter Street and Sutton Street. 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 syndicate of wealthy investors including Henry Dundas Murray, John Reid and 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 new town's advantageous location adjacent to the junction on the North and South Para Rivers and on the main northern road route put Gawler in an ideal position to benefit from subsequent pastoral and mining developments further north. The emergence of successful local industries, and the completion of the Gawler Railway connecting with Adelaide led to further significant growth of the township. During the mid to late nineteenth century, Gawler enjoyed a prosperous period as South Australia's second most important town.
The allotment was purchased by Thomas Peathabridge Coles (mason) in November 1870. Coles was a member of the local Fire Brigade Board and a Councillor for the North Ward in 1891. The property was transferred to Andrew Armstrong (sawyer) in November 1881 and subsequently to George Gadd (storeman) in October 1 887. Thereafter it was purchased by Harry Gilbert Folland (grocer) in April 1905 and subsequently to Nina Elizabeth Greaves, wife of Thomas Greaves (mechanic) in February 1908.
The date of construction of the original dwelling is between 1868 and 1875 and a formal garden is noted by 1877.
Please <click here> to view photos of 13 Thomas 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
.
References
- Gawler Rate Assessment Books East Ward
- LTO Certificate of Title CT 149/1 59
- Hignett Gawler Heritage Study: Stage 1
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