Astolat, Yeronga facts for kids

Astolat is a historic house located at 96 Kadumba Street in Yeronga, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1890. This beautiful old home was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on August 25, 2000. This means it is a special place that is protected for its historical importance.

History of Astolat

Astolat was built around 1890 for Adolph Frederick Milford Feez. He was a lawyer in Brisbane. His father, Albrecht Feez, bought the land in April 1890. People believe that a famous Brisbane architect named George Henry Male Addison designed the house.

Yeronga's Growth in the 1800s

Astolat was built during an exciting time for Yeronga. This area, which is next to the Brisbane River, was first used for farming in the 1850s. By the 1880s, it became a popular place for wealthy people to live.

Many successful business owners, lawyers, and politicians wanted to build large homes here. This happened because a new train line opened in 1884. The train made it easy to travel from Yeronga to South Brisbane.

Famous Homes in Yeronga

Most of the grand houses in Yeronga were built after 1885. That's when the Yeronga train station opened. Only a few of these old homes are still standing today. They show us how Yeronga grew into a middle-class suburb where people commuted to work.

Some of these remaining homes include Como (built 1889–90) and Astolat (around 1890). They are next to each other on Kadumba Street. Another important house is Rhyndarra (1889) at the end of Kadumba Street.

How Yeronga Got Its Name

The earliest large home in the area was Yeronga-Lea, built around 1883. It was owned by Charles Hardie Buzacott, a newspaper owner and politician. Later, Thomas Joseph Byrnes, who was a Premier of Queensland, lived there. Yeronga-Lea was located on the riverbank.

The suburb of Yeronga is believed to be named after this house. In 1885, the Railway Department named the local station "Yeronga" after Mr. Buzacott's home. By 1886, everyone in the area started calling it Yeronga.

The Architect and the Name

It is thought that George Henry Male Addison designed Astolat. He was a respected architect from Melbourne. The design of Astolat, with its verandah details and bay window, is similar to other houses he designed around that time. These include Ralahyne (1888) and Kirkston (1888–89).

The name "Astolat" comes from the famous Arthurian legends. These stories are about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. In one story, Elaine, the maid of Astolat, was in love with Sir Lancelot. The Feez family seemed to like these legends. Adolph Feez's first child, born in 1890, was even named Elaine.

Adolph Feez and His Family

Adolph Feez, who had Astolat built, was born in Brisbane in 1858. His father was Albrecht Feez, a businessman. Adolph became a lawyer in 1885. He worked in a law firm that later became known as Feez Ruthning and Company. He worked as a lawyer for almost 60 years, retiring in 1942.

Adolph Feez was also a very active sportsman. He played Rugby Union for Queensland. He helped start the Queensland Polo Association. He was also a founding member of the Queensland Lawn Tennis Association. He and his neighbour even kept kennels for the Brisbane Hunt Club on their properties.

After Adolph's father, Albrecht, passed away in 1896, the property went to Adolph and his brother Arthur. Over time, parts of the property were sold off. A new street, Astolat Street, was created in the late 1930s.

Adolph Feez died at Astolat in 1944. His wife, Kate Elise Feez, lived there until 1949. The house was then sold to the Carrick family. In 1963, Dr. Kenneth Wilson and his wife Jocelyn bought it. The current owners acquired it in 1980.

Description of Astolat

Astolat is a beautiful, single-storey timber house. It has corrugated iron roofs and timber verandahs. The house is located towards the back of its property. It has a front garden with old, tall trees and a circular driveway.

Astolat is one of three large timber houses on Kadumba Street. These homes are hidden by many mature trees along the street. Astolat adds to the lovely look of Kadumba Street and the whole Yeronga area.

The house has an L-shape. Its main roof is hipped, and a verandah roof goes all around it. There are verandahs on the north and west sides. A unique hexagonal (six-sided) bay sticks out at the north-west corner. Wide timber stairs lead out from this hexagonal bay towards the north-east.

The house walls are covered with deep chamferboards. It sits on a brick base with screened panels. It has timber double doors with fanlights (windows above the door) and louvred outer leaves. These doors open onto the verandah. The verandah has square timber posts with decorative tops. It also has arched timber valances (decorative wood trim) and cast iron balustrades (railings).

Heritage Listing

Astolat was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on August 25, 2000. This means it meets certain important standards.

Why Astolat is Important

• Shows Queensland's History: Astolat helps us understand how Yeronga changed from a small farming area to a fancy suburb in the late 1800s. It also shows how train travel helped create new suburbs around Brisbane. It highlights that the first train commuters were often wealthy middle-class people.
• Architectural Information: This house could teach us more about Brisbane architects from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It might be a great example of the work of the important architect GHM Addison.
• Typical Features: Astolat is a large, attractive timber house with a garden of old trees. It shows the main features of this type of historic home.
• Beautiful Design: Astolat is one of several large, old timber houses on Kadumba Street. Its design adds to the beauty of the street and the whole Yeronga area.
• Connection to Important People: The house is important because of its long connection to the Feez family, who played a role in Queensland's history.

See Also

• Como, Yeronga
• Rhyndarra