Argyle House, Millers Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Argyle House |
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Argyle House, 85 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, New South Wales
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| Location | 85 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Official name: Argyle House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 838 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Argyle House is a historic house located at 85 Lower Fort Street in Millers Point, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. This building is important because it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its historical value. It was added to this list on 2 April 1999.
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History of Argyle House
Argyle House has a long and interesting past, changing hands and purposes many times. Let's explore its journey through the years.
Early Land Ownership
The story of this land began on 20 November 1830. A man named David Leighton sold a piece of land in Millers Point to John Clarke. This area was named after David's father, John Leighton, also known as "Jack the Miller," who built windmills there.
John Clarke paid £37 for the land. He put up a fence, as the government wanted. However, this land was actually set aside for government use. John Clarke had to explain his purchase to the government. He eventually won his case and was allowed to keep the land.
First Buildings on the Site
After John Clarke was allowed to keep the land, he built a structure there. In 1833, he got a license for the Shipwrights Arms Inn, which was nearby.
John Clarke passed away in 1838. His eldest son, also named John Clarke, officially received the land in 1840. He then sold a part of it to George Paton for £350. On that spot, Paton built the Hero of Waterloo Hotel, which opened in 1845.
Over the next few decades, the land was sold a few more times. In 1880, George Minton bought the land for a large sum of £1,700. At this time, there was a single-story stone building on the site. This building was likely a blacksmith's workshop or part of a hotel.
Building the Current Argyle House
In 1882, the old building on the site was torn down. Soon after, George Minton started building a new house, which is the Argyle House we see today.
By 1885, the new house was finished. It was first used as a boarding house, run by Evan Evans. A boarding house is like a guesthouse where people can rent rooms.
After George Minton died in 1890, the house was valued at £900. It was described as a brick house with a slate roof, having six rooms and a bathroom. In 1897, Kathleen Mary Stevens bought the property.
Government Takes Over
Around 1900, the government took control of many properties in Millers Point, including Argyle House. This happened after an outbreak of bubonic plague in Sydney. The government wanted to improve the area's health and safety.
The Sydney Harbour Trust and the Public Works Department managed these resumed lands. Argyle House came under the Public Works Department's care. In 1902, the house was described as a brick building with an iron roof, having three floors and six rooms. It was still used as a boarding house for a while.
A Baby Health Clinic
From 1924, Argyle House was leased to the Department of Public Health. It was turned into the Millers Point Baby Health Clinic. This clinic helped mothers and babies in the community.
The clinic was quite busy, with many visits from staff to newborn babies and many families attending the center. In the 1940s, there were plans to make changes and additions to the building. However, these plans faced delays due to shortages of building materials after World War II.
Eventually, the City of Sydney Council decided to build a new baby health center next door at 87 Lower Fort Street. Construction started in 1951.
Argyle House Today
The Millers Point Baby Health Centre moved to its new building in November 1952. Argyle House then became empty.
In 1953, the building was leased to the Millers Point Old Age and Invalid Pensioners Welfare Fund. It was converted into a hostel for older people and those needing care. At this time, it was officially renamed Argyle House.
In 1975, the property was transferred to the Housing Commission of NSW. They continued to lease it to the welfare fund. Over the years, repairs and maintenance were needed. In 2001, the Darling House Aged Care Association Inc took over managing Argyle House.
Millers Point, including Argyle House, received heritage protection in 1988. This means the area is recognized for its historical importance and is protected by law.
What Argyle House Looks Like
Argyle House is located on Lower Fort Street in Millers Point. The area around it has a mix of old houses, hotels, and community buildings.
Outside the Building
Argyle House looks like a two-story building from Lower Fort Street. It also has a basement level at the back. The yard behind the house has paved areas and some garden beds. There's also an old outdoor toilet from around 1900.
The house is made of masonry (like bricks or stone) and covered with a smooth finish that looks like cut stone. The roof is made of corrugated steel. The roof and gutters were replaced in the 1990s.
The windows on the front of the house have a slight curve at the top, while other windows are flat. All the outside wooden parts are painted.
Inside the Building
The inside of Argyle House was changed around 1990 to create two separate apartments.
- Ceilings: The original ceilings were made of lath and plaster. Some were replaced after a fire in the late 1990s.
- Walls: The inside walls are made of masonry with a lime plaster finish.
- Floors: The wooden floorboards in the main rooms seem to be original from the 1800s.
- Windows: Most windows are double-hung, meaning they slide up and down.
- Doors: The main front door is original, with four raised panels. Many of the inside doors are also original.
- Stairs: The original wooden staircase is still there, with its newel post (the main post at the bottom), balusters (the vertical posts), and handrail.
Condition and Changes
As of 2017, the outside of Argyle House was in good condition. The roof, walls, and balcony were well maintained.
Over the years, some parts of the building have been changed or replaced. For example, the roof was replaced around 2000. The basement level is currently not in good condition and cannot be lived in.
Why Argyle House is Heritage Listed
Argyle House is important enough to be listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it has special historical and cultural value.
- Historical Importance: It shows how Millers Point developed in the late 1800s, providing homes for people working in the shipping industry. It also shows how the area changed from private ownership to government control around 1900. Its time as a baby health clinic from 1924 to 1952 is also a key part of its history.
- Beauty and Design: Argyle House adds to the beautiful look of Lower Fort Street. It's part of a rare group of old residential buildings in Millers Point that show how the area looked in the Victorian era.
- Community Connection: The building has a strong connection to the Millers Point community. It served as a vital baby health clinic for many years, helping local families.
- Research Potential: The building's old structure can teach us about how buildings were made in the 1800s. There might also be old items buried under the floors or in the yard that could tell us more about the past.
- Rarity: Argyle House is a rare example of a privately built house in Millers Point from the late 1800s. It's a key part of a unique old residential area.
