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6-8 Skene St

Location

6-8 Skene Street HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire

File Number

HAMDS #023

Level

Stage 2 study complete

Statement of Significance

SIGNIFICANCE: »Early cottage and garden, with additions, overlooking the bend in the Grange Burn. May predate original subdivision. The Photinia serrulata, Chinese Hawthorn is a particularly large and fine specimen. The home of several significant pioneers.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE


6 Skene Street

This house has local significance for its architectural interest as an early cottage, with additions, overlooking the bend in the Grange Burn. It also has significance for its historical associations with early Hamilton citizens, J A Learmonth, auctioneer, and during the 1870s, with D W Brayshay (1830-88) ([i]) original selector, publican, sheep farmer and Hamilton Mayor. ([ii]) A house on the site was owned by Simon McKenzie and occupied by Learmonth was recorded in the earliest surviving Hamilton Rate Book. ([iii]) David Brayshay became the tenant in 1872 ([iv]) and owner/occupier from 1873, being described variously as publican and sheep farmer. ([v]) In 1877 the property was described as a brick house and stable, with an NAV of 50 pounds. ([vi]) The house remains substantially intact taking into account its hybrid nature and it is in good condition.

The cottage once stood in larger grounds and had a large and well established garden of several compartments. Two trees survive from this period. The Photinia serrulata, Chinese Hawthorn is a particularly large and fine specimen, perhaps the best in the state, and probably dates from the early 1850s. The Magnolia grandiflora is equally old and is also a significant tree.

[i] Hamilton Rate Book 1872, No. 318; 1878, No. 333; Garden, Don, Hamilton, pp 71, 74, 145.

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Hamilton Rate Book 1866, No. 309 (NAV 55 pounds).

[iv] Ibid., 1872, No. 318.

[v] Ibid., 1873, No. 333.

[vi] Ibid., 1877, No. 335.

Group

Residential buildings (private)

Category

House