"St Albans" homestead including interior

St Albans homestead at Whittington, a single storey 10 room brick mansion was erected in 1873 for noted race horse breeder and trainer James Wilson. Melbourne architect James T. Conlon designed the extensive homestead in the fashionable polychromatic mode with an elaborate cast iron verandah by Geelong foundrymen Humble and Co.

'St Albans' is a most distinctive work of J.T. Conlon and of significance as one of the leading horse racing studs in Australia in the later 19th century. Many Melbourne Cup runners were trained on t he 'St. Albans' track. The derelict gatehouse is also of interest.

References

Brownhill, W. R., history of Geelong and Corio Bay, Wilke & Co., Ltd., Melbourne, 1955. pp. 327, 377, 415, 477, 487, 523-26, 536, 547.

Geelong Advertiser, 23rd January 1873, tenders for brick villa. 27th June, 1875, tenders for additions. 1st July 1875, tenders for additions. 28th February 1878, tenders for alterations and additions. 15th June 1878, tenders for outbuildings and chimney shaft.

The Australasian, 6th April 1895, article about the stud including a photograph.

Jones, H.G., "A Brief History of St. Albans Estate". Letter to present owners, 1977. H.G. Jones is the son of the late A.W. Jones

Sutherland A., Victoria and Its Metropolis, Past and Present, Vols I and II, McCarron, Bird & Co., Melbourne 1888. Vol. II, p. 152 - biographic sketch of John Crozier. Vol. II p. 158 - reference to the "renowned training stables of James Wilson."

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

Homestead building