"Eudoxus", prefabricated iron house including interior

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The two storey iron clad villa, "Exodus" at 34 Fenwick Street, Geelong was most probably manufactured by British portable iron house fabricator, John walker, of London and erected in Geelong in 1854 for Messrs. Towl and Turpin. The structure was one of a great number imported to Victoria in the 1850's to meet the acute demand for housing following the 1851 gold rushes. Very few survive in Australia and "Exodus", with the frame 51/4" pitch iron cladding and basic structure intact, is a rare example of the portable villa manufactured in 19th century industrial England specifically for colonial usage.

RECOMMENDATIONS: PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Historic Buildings Council register.

Australian Heritage Commission, register of the National Estate

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Register.

Geelong Regional Commission Register.

REFERENCES

Herbert, Gilbert - Pioneers of Prefabrication - the British Contribution in the Nineteenth Century, John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1976.

For a detailed account of the manufacturer, John Walker of Mill Wall Poplar, London.

Alsop, P.F.B. - "Exodus" - Iron House, 34 Fenwick Street, Geelong - notes and history of construction, February 1981 - private communication with A Willingham.

Geelong Advertiser - 7 June 1854, J Brown and Co, acting for Messrs. Towle and Turpin, offered for sale two galv. Iron cottages, 4 rooms about 12'6" x 14'0", 2 storeys, the pair made to stand upon allotment of ground 25' wide. Manufactured by John Walker of Mill Vale (sic) Poplar "by the order and under the inspection of an old colonist"

28 June, 1854 - Land Sale Auction Notice.

2 October 1855 - Sale by Auction Notice, description of property of Towle and Turpin previous to dissolution of partnership, City of Geelong Rate Books, 1854-1859.

Removed from City Fringe Heritage Area (HO1639)

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House