15 Edgar Street, Newmarket

This early cottage was likely built around 1903, a time when Newmarket was starting to develop as a closely settled residential area. MacKellar’s map of 1895 shows Edgar Street named and formed, and land in the street subdivided into 16 perch allotments. According to the Post Office Directories, which first record mail being delivered in Edgar Street in 1900, there were three residences in the street; those of Isaac Harland, Henry E. Howe and Arthur Tennant. By 1903, Mrs M. Kennedy had replaced Arthur Tennant, receiving mail in Edgar Street, with Harland and Howe. In October 1903 Isabella Kennedy, widow acquired title to 16 perches (subdivision 75). 

Isabella Kennedy, the widow of Michael Kennedy, remarried William Fitzgerald in February 1909. Together they purchased two allotments (subdivisions 76 and 77) adjoining the property in 1912. They sold half of these three allotments to Harold Bell in 1936 retaining the 24 perches on which this cottage stands, but transferring it to Isabella’s name only. Following her death in May 1943 the property was transferred via the Public Trustee to their sons(?) Thomas Fitzgerald and William Joseph Fitzgerald and William’s wife, Dorothy.

Council records show that in late 1960 a verandah was added for the owner, T.H.D. Fitzgerald. The certificates of title record that William Joseph died in 1970, while Thomas died in 1979.

The remaining stock of housing in the area documents the gradual intensification of settlement in the area. The locality demonstrates the distinctive pattern of development determined by Brisbane’s topography. A number of larger nineteenth and early twentieth century residences remain on nearby ridges and hilltops indicating how such sites were prized by wealthier residents their views and cool breezes. This trend continued and larger and distinctive homes are still to be found on the ridges while more modest dwellings have been built on the slopes and lower ground.