Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Rustic Gothic
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence 'Carfin'
Carfin
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Rustic Gothic
This land was acquired by Thomas Stephenson Sword who at that time was on the Queensland Government’s Land Board. He commissioned Brisbane architect John J Lough to design the elaborate brick residence, and in March 1888 Lough called tenders for the construction of the residence. Sword died at his residence in 1915 and his estate was sold to a succession of owners until 1956 when the Baptist Church acquired the house. It was converted to a nursing home and hospital known as ‘Clifford House’, before being sold in 1988 as a private residence.
Also known as
Clifford House
Lot plan
L2_RP70591; L1_RP70591; L3_RP70591
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Information —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated ironPeople/associations
John Joseph Lough (Architect)Interactive mapping
Also known as
Clifford House
Lot plan
L2_RP70591; L1_RP70591; L3_RP70591
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Information —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated ironPeople/associations
John Joseph Lough (Architect)Interactive mapping
History
Thomas Sword was educated in Scotland as a Procurator, yet established himself as a pastoralist when he arrived in Queensland. He was appointed Police Magistrate at Aramac in 1877 and Polynesian Inspector for the Mitchell district, and later transferred to Charleville. He was appointed to the Queensland Government’s Land Board in 1885 and on the creation of the Land Court was made its chairman, a position he held for most of his life. Thomas Sword died in 1915 and his estate was sold to Nina MacDonald wife of Alexander MacDonald in 1921. Some subdivision was made off surrounding land in the 1930s, and the house and a remaining 3 roods of land was sold to Alan Davidson in 1952.
In 1956 the Baptist Church acquired the house and land and converted it to a nursing home and hospital known as ‘Clifford House’. It 1988 the property was again sold as a private residence and the hospital and aged care residential units were removed.
prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised March 2023)