21 Light Street, Fortitude Valley

The Rosetta family, likely Charles’ father, acquired just over thirteen acres and two roods over portions 116, 117,126 and 125 in 1863. The title deeds disclose that the Rosetta’s disposed of just over one acre and two roods in 1867. However in 1878 Henry Charles Rosetta and Edward George Rosetta acquired part of this disposed land as an undivided moiety.

The land was transferred solely into the name of Henry Charles Rosetta in 1882. From 1884 onwards Henry Charles Rosetta subdivided the land. This is likely the land that runs northern along Prospect Street and included Scanlan Street. (Scanlan Street was originally called Henry Street). The property remained in the ownership of Henry Charles Rosetta until 1903 when the subject property was subdivided further into the ownership of Percy Simpson.

Evidence thus far indicates that Charles Henry Rosetta had the dwelling constructed as a rental property during the 1886-1888 period. The entry in the Post Office Directory (PODs) for 1888 lists a dwelling on the corner of Light and Prospect Street as being “unoccupied.” However the first title deed/POD entry concurrence occurs under the ownership of Simpson in the 1906. Charles Henry Rosetta worked locally. The PODs of c1888 disclose he was a butcher located in Montpellier Road, Bowen Hills. 

Mass immigration in the 1880s caused enormous growth in Brisbane's population, increasing from 37 000 to 100 000 in the ten years to 1891.  This served to intensify settlement in the inner core of suburbs, including Fortitude Valley.  

The Fortitude Valley area was among the first settled by Europeans after the closure of the Moreton Bay penal settlement of Moreton Bay in the early 1840s.  By the mid 1880s the Valley housed a large proportion of Brisbane's residents.  It was a heterogenous area, and it was not uncommon for houses to have motor garages, factories, churches and even hotels as neighbours.  Houses occupied many of the streets away from the main commercial sector centred on Brunswick Street.  Most of these houses have been lost to redevelopment during this century.  

A later addition has occurred to the rear of the dwelling.

This dwelling forms one of a number of late c19th – early c20th dwellings in the Light-Prospect Street precinct that represents the early residential development of this area of Fortitude Valley.

1. Brisbane City Council Building Cards

2. Certificates of Title.

3. Queensland Electoral Rolls

4. Fortitude Valley Character and Heritage Study. Vol.2. (Heritage Unit, Brisbane City Council. 1995)

5. Post Office Directories.