Baroona, Paddington facts for kids
Baroona is a really old and special house located at 90 Howard Street in Paddington, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's known as a 'heritage-listed' villa, which means it's an important historical building. A famous architect named Benjamin Backhouse designed it, and it was built around 1866. Because of its history, Baroona was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.
Quick facts for kids Baroona |
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Baroona, a residence in Paddington, Brisbane, 1886
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| Location | 90 Howard Street, Paddington, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s–1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | c. 1866 |
| Architect | Benjamin Backhouse |
| Official name: Baroona | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600289 |
| Significant period | 1860s-1880s (fabric, history) |
| Significant components | garage, extension/s or addition/s, views from, tennis court, cellar, wall/s – retaining, garden/grounds, residential accommodation – main house |
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The Story of Baroona
The original house, Baroona, was designed by Benjamin Backhouse. It was built in 1866 for a man named William Draper Box. He bought the land in 1865. The property was very large, stretching from Baroona Road to the edge of Torwood.
William Draper Box came to Brisbane in 1862. He started a Queensland branch of his father's trading company. He lived at Baroona until 1885. Mr. Box was an important person. He was a member of the Queensland Club. He also served in the Queensland Legislative Council from 1874 until he passed away in 1904. The Legislative Council was a group of people who helped make laws for Queensland.
After Mr. Box, two other important politicians rented the house. The Honourable John Donaldson lived there from about 1886 to 1889. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, another group that made laws. Next, Sir Robert Philp moved in. He was from a big company called Burns Philp and Co. Sir Robert Philp was even the Premier of Queensland from 1899 to 1901. The Premier is like the leader of the state government.
In 1899, William Melbourne Watts bought the house. He was a Land Commissioner. He sold it to Emily and Cornelius Geaney in 1919. Mr. Geaney was a manager for an insurance company. His family owned Baroona until 1951. Then, Dr. and Mrs. Hill became the owners. The house was sold again in 1984.
Over the years, different owners made many changes to the building. They added new rooms and changed parts of the outside. They also added a modern kitchen.
The name Baroona became very well known. It is now used for the main road, the local area, and even a city voting area.
What Baroona Looks Like
Baroona is a single-story building. Its walls are made of brick covered in a smooth plaster. It has a roof shaped like a triangle, covered with wavy metal sheets. The house sits on a flat area at the top of a hill. It has covered porches, called verandahs, on the east and southeast sides. There are also verandahs on parts of the north and south sides.
The triangular parts of the roof, called gables, have fancy wooden decorations. The gable on the east side has special carved wooden patterns. The verandahs have wavy metal roofs that slope down. The north verandah has an entrance porch with a small roof that sticks out.
The verandahs on the east and southeast are supported by wooden posts. They have decorative criss-cross patterns and metal railings. The south verandah has wooden arches with criss-cross patterns inside. This verandah leads to a hallway with a curved metal roof. This curved roof has glass at one end and a square window in the middle to let in light.
The house has windows that slide up and down. There are also French doors that open onto the verandahs. Windows that are not covered by verandahs have wooden shutters. On the south side, there is a brick cellar, which is like a basement. A covered parking area for cars is attached to the southwest side. There is also a separate garage made of plastered brick with a triangular metal roof. It has similar decorative wooden pieces as the house.
Outside the house, there is a grass tennis court to the north. There are also old, tall trees to the west and south. A stone wall is built into the ground on the northeast side.
Why Baroona is a Heritage Site
Baroona was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place. It met several important rules to be listed:
- It shows how Queensland's history has changed.
- It is important because famous people like Sir Robert Philp, John Donaldson, and William Draper Box lived there.
- The name Baroona is used for the main road, the area, and a local voting district. This shows its connection to the community.
- It was the first house in the area and sits on top of a hill, making it a landmark.
- It shows the work of Benjamin Backhouse, a well-known architect.
- It is beautiful and important for its looks.
- Its location on the hill makes it a landmark. It's a key part of the area's look.
- It has a special connection with the community.
- The name Baroona is used for the main road, the area, and a local voting district. This shows its strong link to the community.
- It is connected to important people in Queensland's history.
- It has a special link to Sir Robert Philp, John Donaldson, and William Draper Box.
- It also shows the important work of architect Benjamin Backhouse.
