Croyde

Like other centres in Australia, Brisbane experienced a strong growth in prosperity and population after the economic depression of the early 1890s until the outbreak of WWI in 1915 – the Federation era. Notably, architecture of this period embraced Australiana, inventing and incorporating elements and decoration that celebrated Australia. This extended into garden design with a marginally more natural approach to design and an awareness of native flora and fauna. The architecture of the period is distinguished through its comprehensive use of timber including elaborately detailed timber verandahs with a filigree of pattern and light. Verandah forms were manipulated to provide wider areas so that, as well as being functional weather protection, they were commodious and readily occupiable. Internally, the house layouts of this period were generally traditional with little alteration from the previous period. The house faced the street, with principal rooms at the front and secondary/service rooms at the rear. 

During the Federation era, Camp Hill remained largely agricultural or undeveloped due to its distance from Brisbane but saw increasing occupation by wealthy residents on the desirable high land or ridgelines. From 1912 a steam tram serviced the area until being replaced after the electrified tram system was extended into the area in 1925. This spurred development and the area gradually became a distinct locality by the 1930s.

In 1915 Jones sold 84 Watson Street to Ada Victoria Dean, who sold it in 1917 to Royston Carr Brier and his wife Clara Garland Brier. The Briers named the property Croyde, with this name appearing in the 1918-19 Queensland Post Office Directories. By 1938 the Briers had built a tennis court on the area of the garden immediately west of the house (Lot 101). Croyde passed through many owners over the following years.   

  

In 2015 Croyde survives on its original land holding as an intact example of the type of houses built for wealthy residents in Brisbane during the Federation era and illustrates the early residential development of Camp Hill.

1. Brisbane City Council, Properties on the Web, website, post-1946 building cards

2. Brisbane City Council, 1946 aerial photographs.

3. Brisbane City Council, Sewerage Maps, 24 July 1938

4. Brisbane City Council’s Central Library, local history sheets

5. Department of Natural Resources, Queensland Certificates of title and other records.

6. John Oxley Library, Brisbane Suburbs – Estate Maps

7. Queensland Post Office Directories, 1868-1949