170 Wilston Road, Newmarket

Charles Finamor puchased 4 acres of land in 1875 at what was then often called Enoggera, but later became Newmarket. In 1877, he transferred this land to a widow, Mary Ann Dalton, whom he married the following year. 

Postal directories for the 1880s show Charles Finamore [sic], “Brickmaker” at Enoggera Road. This is perhaps where his brickworks were situated and was possibly quite close to the brick house in Wilston Road. The land was mortgaged several times by Mary Ann Dalton between 1879 and 1890, possibly to help finance a brickmaking business. The earliest reference in postal directories to the Finamors at Wilston Road occurs in 1894-95, however, it is possible the house was constructed prior to this date. According to postal records, the Finamor’s house was only the second to be built in Wilston Road.

Charles Finamor died in 1889. It seems that Charles Finamor was in financial difficulties as after his death, the property passed to the most recent mortgagors, Richard Gailey and William Ewing. The land was held by the North Australian Trust Company until 1914 when over 2 acres 1 rood was sold to the Brisbane Brick and Builders Supply Company. The remainder of the property, containing the house, was sold to Kate Miller,  “spinster” of Victoria in 1918. This parcel of land has since been further subdivided and had several different owners. As a result, the house now faces an easement which is perpendicular to Wilston Road. 

A photograph of the area taken circa 1905 shows the house as one of a cluster of buildings on the western side of Wilston Road in a rural setting.

During the early 1960s, the house was owned by Elly and Johann Efanow, who converted it to two flats. It has since been reconverted to a family home. Some alterations have been carried out on the house, however, its original form is mostly intact and the house has retained its chimneys and fireplaces.

1. John Oxley Library Photograph Collection

2. Queensland Certificates of Title

3. Registrar-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Dept. of Justice and Attorney General, Queensland Government

4. Queensland Government, Queensland Pioneers Index 1829-1889, (Brisbane: Department of Justice and Attorney General, 2000)

5. Queensland Post Office Directories

6. The interior of the house was viewed by the kind permission of Mrs Gillespie, 29 January 2002