SYMBESTER HOUSE

Symbester House, built c. 1859, is a predominantly intact small single-hip symmetrically composed dwelling. It retains its original detailing and presentation to Symbester Crescent, including the framed front door with prominent sans-serif lettering at the top of the central breakfront, and the windows with quoining. The property is located between two creeks directly north of the main road between Eaglehawk and Epsom, and close to the intersection with the Neilborough-Eaglehawk Road. The ginger beer factory (built c. 1860), previously in close proximity to the house, has been demolished. The house and factory were built for William Bruce (1834-1916), a publican and manufacturer of aerated drinks. 

Symbester House is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance. 

Symbester House, c. 1859, on Symbester Crescent, Eaglehawk Flat (Jackass Flat), is of local historical and aesthetic/architectural significance. Historically (Criterion A), the dwelling is associated (Criterion H) with refreshments entrepreneur and publican, William Bruce (1834-1912), who after arriving on the goldfields in 1852 established a number of stores to service the goldfields population. From the early-1860s he also manufactured and sold aerated drinks, including from the ginger beer factory located adjacent to Symbester House (demolished). 

Architecturally (Criterion E), Symbester House is a largely intact small single-hip symmetrically composed dwelling. The original building component, despite the overpainting, retains its original detailing and presentation to Symbester Crescent, including the framed front door with prominent sans-serif lettering to the central breakfront, and the windows with quoining. Modifications, including the extension to the rear, have not unacceptably compromised the original design intent or impacted upon the appearance of the house when viewed from Symbester Crescent. The original one-bay depth remains readable, reflecting the modest dimensions of this small 1850s house. The shallow setback to the street also helps demonstrate its early origins in the local context, which is in the process of transformation with recent housing development. 

Symbester House, built c. 1859, on Symbester Crescent, Eaglehawk Flat (Jackass Flat), is of historical significance. The small symmetrically composed brick house is associated with refreshments entrepreneur and publican, William Bruce (1834-1912), who after arriving on the goldfields in 1852 established a number of stores to service the goldfields population. From the early 1860s he also manufactured aerated drinks in the factory located adjacent to Symbester House. Prior to the demolition of the factory, the two buildings also helped demonstrate an historical association whereby a residence and place of work, including a manufacturing place, were co-located.

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Symbester House, built c. 1859, is of aesthetic/architectural significance. It is a largely intact small single-hip symmetrically composed dwelling. The original building component, despite the overpainting, retains its original detailing and presentation to Symbester Crescent, including the framed front door with prominent sans-serif lettering at the top of the central breakfront, and the windows with quoining. Modifications, including the extension to the rear, have not unacceptably compromised the original design intent or impacted upon the appearance of the house when viewed from Symbester Crescent. The original one-bay depth remains readable, reflecting the modest dimensions of this small 1850s house. The shallow setback to the street also helps demonstrate its early origins in the local context, where the prominence of the building in the once more generally open setting has been significantly reduced by the surrounding recent housing development. 

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Symbester House is of interest in the local context for its association with refreshments entrepreneur and publican, William Bruce (1834-1912), who after arriving on the goldfields in 1852 established a number of stores to service the goldfields population. From the early-1860s he also manufactured and sold aerated drinks, including from the ginger beer factory located adjacent to Symbester House (demolished).