Dalmuir

It is possible that Frew’s brother Archibald Smith Frew, a surveyor, engineer and architect, was involved with the design of the residence. At the estimated time of the dwelling’s construction Archibald was in Bundaberg practicing as A.S Frew & Co, Civil engineers, surveyors and architects.

As the time of the dwelling’s construction Brisbane was still under the effects of an economic recession that some have believed was so severe as to be a depression. The over-heated property market of the mid-1880s took a major downturn at the conclusion of that decade. As a consequence of this downturn in the 1890s, fewer larger dwellings, in comparison to that of the 1880s, were constructed. The building trade was so affected with the economic downturn that as a result of census taken in 1891 it was commented that the “financial crisis… (had)…almost totally stopped the building and timber trade.”1

Since the arrival of the rail line in the mid 1870s to the Graceville-Sherwood area, offering easy communing transport to the city, together with its river aspects and cooling breezes, the locality had been a sought after residential suburb. A 1906 article noted the “…many prominent professional and businessmen who have sought its quiet seclusion…”1 This dwelling at the time of construction reflects the social status its owner, R.D.A.Frew, had achieved.

The property was subsequently subdivided by Frew and the portion with the dwelling on was sold to Alexander Cossar in 1926. There was just over 38 perches remaining with the residence. Cossar remained owner of the property until his death in March 1950 where upon it was transferred to his widow Elizabeth Cosser. She remained owner of the property until her death in August 1954.

1. Queensland Votes and Proceedings. (1892) 3: 833. Quoted in Ronald Lawson, Brisbane in the 1890s: A study of an Urban Society. (St Lucia, University of Queensland Press. 1987). p.53

2. “Brisbane Suburban Beauties: A World of Fair Scenes. No. VII – Around Chelmer”, The Brisbane Courier. 7 July 1906. p.12

3. Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans

4. Cameron, Ian. 125 Years of State Public Works in Queensland 1859-1984. Brisbane: Boolerong Publications. 1989

5. Certificates of Titles, Department of Natural Resources and Mines

6. R. Lawson Brisbane in the 1890s Brisbane:University of Queensland Press, 1987

7. Queensland Post Office Directories

8. Walter Taylor South Character and Heritage Study, BCC Heritage Unit, 1997

9. Watson, Donald and Judith McKay. Queensland Architects of the 19th Century: A Biographical Dictionary. Brisbane: Queensland Museum, 1994