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ST ELMO

Location

127 ELIZABETH STREET GEELONG WEST, GREATER GEELONG CITY

File Number

603921

Level

Registered

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ST ELMO SOHE 2008
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1 st elmo elizabeth street
[3/3]
h01180 plan h1180

Statement of Significance

St. Elmo, erected between 1860 and 1862, was built by its original owner George Arnott, a skilled bricklayer and father of 12 children, who occupied the property for over 60 years. The small six roomed cottage, constructed of locally produced bricks, originally consisted of four rooms but was extended in the early 1880's. The building features an ornate timber verandah and unusual chimneys: four in number, of which two are square, one is octagonal and the other circular, with a square base.

St. Elmo is of architectural and historical significance to Victoria

St. Elmo is of architectural significance for its demonstration of excellent brick workmanship, using handmade bricks in a variety of forms and colours which have been laid in such a manner to create unusual chimney forms, decorative patterning and bi-chromatic designs. The building is important as a very intact example of an early 1860's worker's cottage containing much of its original typically simple joinery and fixtures including fireplaces, doors, architraves, skirtings and built-in furniture. Although extended, the building's original layout remains unaltered. The ornate timber verandah, with its infilled ends, is of interest as an unusual picturesque element.

St. Elmo is of historical significance as an example of a way of life for a skilled bricklayer during the mid 19th century where an effective form of advertisement for his trade was an example of his skill. This cottage is important as a surviving and intact example of a once common practice of trade persons demonstrating their skills.

Group