Dwelling

History/Notes
In 1890, Mrs Elizabeth Price built at timber dwelling called "Neath Villa" on the southern corner of Stephen Street and Shannon Avenue. The southern portion (the subject property) remained vacant. Following successive owners, the land at 315 Shannon Avenue was acquired by Samuel Schnaars, a retired farmer, in 1938. He had this brick dwelling constructed by G. Homewood at that time.

Samuel Eli Schnaars was born at Balaclava, South Australia, in 1880,the son of George Franz and Georgene Schnaars. Schnaars relocated to the Mallee in 1889 where his father established a farm. With his father and brothers, S.E. Schnaars farmed at Woorak West. He married Miss Blundina Krelle, also of Woorak West, in 1915. They remained at Woorak West until their retirement when they first removed to Garden Street, East Geelong, in c.1935. It was at this time the farm at Woorak West was offered for sale. From 1938, Schnaars lived out his retirement years at 315 Aphrasia Street until his death in 1951.

The clinker brick, single storey, late interwar Old English styled dwelling is mainly reflective of its original design. This is evident in the tiled hipped and gabled roof forms, the front gabled wing extends to form a porch with round-arched entrance. Other early features include the brick chimneys, elongated brick detailing on the chimney and gable ends, timber framed double hung windows and broad eaves. The flat-roofed wings at the front and rear have been introduced.

On the front boundary is an early brick fence having expressed piers and bays topped with hollow steel rails.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept. of Justice.
Newtown Rate Books, 1873-74, 1895-96, 1913-14, 1937, 1938,
1939, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Newtown Building Permit, January 1938, City of Greater Geelong.
Certificates of Title, vol. 1402, fol. 369, vol. 4603 fol. 508, vol. 6115 fol. 822.
Horsham Times, 1 October 1889, p.4.
The Argus, 18 March 1935, p.15.
G.F. Schnaars, Probate, 1916, VPRS 28/P3 Unit 695 PROV.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House