Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queen Anne
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence `Waitara'
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence `Waitara'
Waitara
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queen Anne
James Ernest Stewart acquired this land fronting Adelaide Street East, in 1902. A son of Alexander Stewart, James worked in the family business and was a director of Alexander Stewart and Sons Ltd, soft goods warehousemen. It was around 1905 that James Stewart built his residence on this site. Initially known as ‘Garth’ this large house with a tennis court was later known as ‘Waitara’.
Also known as
Garth
Lot plan
L5_RP75060
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Terracotta tile;Walls: Timber
People/associations
James Stewart (Association)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
Garth
Lot plan
L5_RP75060
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Terracotta tile;Walls: Timber
People/associations
James Stewart (Association)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
James Ernest Stewart acquired this land fronting Adelaide Street East, in 1902. A son of Alexander Stewart, James worked in the family business and was a director of Alexander Stewart and Sons Ltd, soft goods warehousemen. Alexander Stewart had been a partner in the long-running firm of Stewart and Hemmant, wholesale clothing manufacturers. Upon the retirement of William Hemmant, the firm became a limited liability company around 1905.
It was around 1905 that James Stewart built his residence on this site. Initially known as ‘Garth’ this large house with a tennis court was later known as ‘Waitara’. The property was purchased in 1924 in the name of Marion Meehan, wife of Brisbane orthopaedic surgeon Dr Arthur Vincent Meehan. Meehan was a decorated WWI veteran who had lost a foot in during the war. Upon return to Brisbane, Meehan was heavily involved with the Limbless Soldiers Association and honorary surgeon to the members. His work earned him a life membership of the Association and their often and publicly stated gratitude.
Arthur Meehan was Queensland’s first orthopaedic specialist. He was associated with both the Brisbane General Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae for his working life. Tragically, Arthur Meehan was brutally murdered in his Wickham Tce office in 1955.
The Meehans owned ‘Waitara’ until 1952 and it has passed through a number of owners. The tennis courts which were located on the Adelaide St East frontage have removed and the land subsequently subdivided.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150408b.htm
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http://www.acl.org.au/national
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Brisbane Courier 1890-1933
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Courier Mail 1933-1954
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‘Uncovering a killer’s past’ National Archives of Australia journal “Memento”, Winter, 2006
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Queensland Electoral Rolls, 1903-1943
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SLQ phot of Dr Meehan’s tennis courts c1940, Neg #184674
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)