Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
Hughenden
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence 'Hughenden' (former)
Hughenden (former)
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This federation era house was constructed circa 1903 for John Alexander Atkins and demonstrates the pattern of development in Ascot at the turn of the century, and particularly its emergence as an elite suburb. The house is also a good example of an early nineteenth century Federation style house and is particularly significant for its aesthetic value.
Also known as
Coerwul
Lot plan
L2_RP57935
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (E) AestheticInteractive mapping
Also known as
Coerwul
Lot plan
L2_RP57935
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (E) AestheticInteractive mapping
History
In the 1880s the Ascot and Hamilton areas were characterised by the coexistence of large estates bearing fine homes, and large areas of undeveloped land held by speculators. This vacant land was steadily subdivided into suburban allotments. Later the grounds of some of the fine estates were subdivided as well, particularly after the arrival of the tram line through Hamilton to Ascot in 1899.
This house, like many other properties in Ascot, was built land on which was owned and sold by a succession of speculators. Up to the 1890s, large sections of Allotment 14 changed hands several times. In 1900 large tracts were offered for sale as part of the Sutherland Park Estate. It wasn’t until September 1902, however, that John Atkins purchased four adjacent 16 perch subdivisions lying along Lancaster Road. The house was constructed soon afterward. Atkins chose not to live in the house himself, but let it in 1903 to Ernest Waraker who subsequently purchased the house and property in 1908. At this time, the house was named ‘Hughenden’.
The house was built at a time when Ascot and Hamilton were emerging as elite suburbs populated by the wealthy. The area offered several advantages. It was cooled by sea breezes and was sufficiently close to the city to make commuting to work a reality for professionals, public servants, and businessmen.
Ernest Waraker was a surveyor with the Queensland Civil Service. He joined in 1897 as a staff surveyor, second class, with the Surveyor General’s Department. He moved steadily through the ranks of the Department of Public Lands, achieving by 1912 the position of Deputy Surveyor General. He died only a few years later in 1916, his wife Jessie staying in the house until 1918. After this Joseph Nash Horton and his wife Esther acquired the house and lived there until the 1940s. At some time before 1929 they renamed the house ‘Coerwal’.
The house is presently well maintained and is a striking addition to the local streetscape. The large palm trees at the front of the house add to its visual impact.
Description
This low-set timber residence is of the Federation style with a symmetrical frontage and a separately roofed encircling verandah of corrugated iron. The main roof is steeply pitched with a short ridge and two brick chimneys symmetrically placed to the back. Decorative brackets are applied to the underside of the gutter of the roof. Square timber posts with decorative brackets and capital support the verandah roof to the front. The verandah entrance is highlighted as a frontispiece by paired posts and a gable pediment. Separately roofed, faceted bay windows open onto the veranda, either side of the front door. Style and type of the building indicates that it is from the 1890s-1915 period.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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BCC building cards
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Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans
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Department of Natural Resources, Certificates of Title
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Queensland Government Gazette; 14 Feb 1899, 22 April 1908, 25 Feb 1915
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Queensland State Electoral Rolls
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)