Rose Hill

The land on which this house sits was put up for auction c1887 within the ‘Croydon Park’ Estate, an early urban subdivision in Norman Park. Samuel Marriott, a coffee stall vendor, had bought land that he mortgaged three times during 1888-90. By 1896, Marriott had built a Federation-style home with its frontage facing Watson Street and accessed by an easement acting as a carriageway. By 1897, it was named ‘Rose Hill’. Marriott added to his local land holdings through purchases made in 1901, 1902 and 1908. By 1915, the house sat beside newly created MacDonald Street that was part of the second-stage development of Norman Park as a suburb. Therefore the residence’s postal address changed from Watson to MacDonald Streets. ‘Rose Hill’ retains its presence as a substantial nineteenth century house situated on a large block.