Dwelling - Atholbrae

History/Notes
The site at 8 Nantes Street originally formed part of a 3 acre landholding owned by George Alexander Stephen, merchant, in
1889. On his death in 1908, the land was subdivided into three allotments, with a large allotment fronting Nantes Street being sold to Daniel Organ McIntyre. In 1909, he subdivided the land into several allotments and lots 9-10 were sold to Mrs Edith Wilson. With her husband, William, they had this house built in 1910-11 on lot 10. As William Wilson was a draughtsman, the dwelling (named "Atholbrae") was possibly designed by him.

William Wilson was born in c.1861, the son of James and Elizabeth (nee Pringle) Wilson. He married Miss Edith Turnbrull in 1900 and they had three children: Athol, Enid and John. The Wilson family continued to reside at "Atholbrae" throughout the first half of the 20th century. In 1925, additions were constructed to the dwelling. William Wilson died in 1932. In 1938, Mrs Wilson had a garage built by Berryman and Turbull. She remained at "Atholbrae" until it was sold in 1950 to Raymond and Miriam Sparrow.

The timber Federation styled dwelling is largely intact with several surviving original design qualities. They include the principal hipped roof form, projecting minor gabled wings at the front and east side (including a return verandah as an extension of the main roof), and a modest rear gabled wing. Other original qualities include the brick chimneys with terra cotta posts, eaves overhangs, timber verandah posts, broad-arched opening with fretwork above in the front gable end (the glazing and timber weatherboards were introduced in 1991), gable infill, portal window, timber framed windows and the red brick wall bases. At the rear not visible from Nantes Street are hipped roofed additions.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept. of Justice.
Newtown Rate Books 1909-10, 1910-11, 1923, 1950, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Newtown Building Permits, 1925, 1938, City of Greater Geelong.
Building Permit 656/1991, City of Greater Geelong.
Certificates of Title, vol. 2121 fol. 075, vol. 3304 fol. 672, vol. 3318 fol. 439.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House