Dwelling

History/Notes
Land comprising 17 Stephen Street formed part of the 'Newtown Brae' estate subdivision in 1912. It was retained by the owner of 'Newtown Brae', William Alexander, until 22 April 1925, when it was purchased by James M.C. Leggo. It was immediately transferred to Llloyd Hooper who in turn sold it to Edith Reilly in June 1925. Shre retained ownership until 1928 when it was purchased by Frank Evan Richardson, auctioneer. He was born in c.1895, the youngest son of the Hon. H.F. Richardson, M.L.C.

Frank Richardson had this house built in 1928 by the Burn Brothers in anticipation of his marriage to Miss Charlotte Meldrum Dobie in 1929. The original construction also included a garage which fronted Stephen Street.

The dwelling was constructed to face a large private garden to the north, having a principal hipped roof form and additional hipped wings at the rear, fronting Stephen Street. These roof forms and the hipped garage on the Stephen Street frontage were clad in tiles, the walls being of brick construction. The principal north facade featured a post-supported verandah. Most of the original design appears to be intact, although it is not visible from the public realm. There have been some alterations and additions at the rear (fronting Stephen Street), including alterations and additions to the garage. There is an introduced high capped solid timber fence on the Stephen Street boundary.

References:
Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Indexes, Dept of Justice.
Newtown Rate Books, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.
Newtown Building Permit, 1928, City of Greater Geelong.
The Argus, 5 May 1928, p.3.
Certificates of Title, vol. 3210 fol. 835, vol. 3666 fol. 074, vol. 5003 fol. 402.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House