Conon, Lutwyche facts for kids

Conon is a historic house in Lutwyche, Brisbane, Australia. This beautiful home was built in 1863. It is special because it shows how houses were built and changed over time in Queensland. Conon is officially listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as a place of important history.

The Story of Conon House

This old house, made of brick and wood, was built in different stages. The oldest part, made of brick and stone, dates back to 1863.

Who Built Conon?

The land where Conon stands was first bought in 1861 by Robert Cribb. He was a well-known politician and land dealer in Brisbane. In 1863, Cribb sold the land to Kenneth McLennan. Kenneth was a stonemason from a town called Conon in Scotland. He had moved to Brisbane in 1855. People believe that Kenneth McLennan built the house himself in 1863.

Growing the House and Property

In 1878, Kenneth McLennan borrowed money for the property. This money might have been used to add a new brick and stone section to the northern side of the house. By the early 1890s, the property was quite large. It had an orchard, a vineyard, a bowling green, and a tennis court. There were also stables and other small buildings. Tall Bunya pines trees lined the front driveway. This driveway is now known as Conon Street.

Around 1900, a wooden extension was added to the southern side of the kitchen. Later, in 1917, two inside walls were removed to make a bigger bedroom.

The McLennan Family and Community Life

Kenneth McLennan and his wife, Ann Grant, raised ten children at Conon. Kenneth was very involved in his community. He was a councillor for the Windsor Shire. In 1904, he became the first mayor of the Town of Windsor.

After his wife passed away in 1912, Kenneth McLennan moved from Conon. He died in 1916 at the age of 87.

New Owners and Changes

After Kenneth McLennan's death, his sons divided the large property. They kept a part of the land with the house, garden, tennis court, and bowling green for the family. The house stayed in the McLennan family until 1934. Then, it was sold to Sir Neil O'Sullivan. He was a lawyer in Brisbane and a federal government minister.

The O'Sullivans made some changes to the house. In 1935, they added a brick bedroom off the southern verandah. Lady O'Sullivan sold the property in 1972. However, it is still used as a family home today. In 1980, a larger brick bedroom was added at the back of the house.

What Conon Looks Like

Conon sits on top of a hill in Lutwyche. From here, you can see views over Breakfast Creek. The house is made of different materials and styles. This is because it was built and changed over many years.

Oldest Parts of the House

The very first part of the house has three rooms (it used to have four). It is made of brick. There was once a wooden verandah all around this section. The house sits on a strong foundation made of stone from the property itself. The roof is now made of metal, but it was originally made of wooden shingles.

Some parts of the verandah are still there at the front, side, and back. These parts were either kept or rebuilt in 1987. The verandah has wooden railings and posts. It also has pretty wooden decorations that look like thistles.

There are two small cellars under the house. One is under the side verandah. Another is under two of the early bedrooms.

Later Additions

The northern part of the house was added in the late 1870s. This section is made of brick with stone foundations. It has a metal roof. Inside, there is an entrance hall and two large sitting rooms. These rooms are separated by a simple archway. There was also a large kitchen, a maid's room, and a pantry at the back. Each sitting room has a bay window.

The Garden and Surroundings

The garden around Conon is smaller now because some land was sold off. However, enough garden remains to give the house a special feeling. It still feels like a large 19th-century property. Even though there are newer houses nearby, the garden makes Conon feel peaceful and separate.

Some of the original plants and garden features from the mid-1800s are still there. The way the garden is set up today still reflects its early design.

The McLennan family lived at Conon for almost 70 years. Their connection to the area is remembered in the names of nearby streets: McLennan, Kenneth, and Conon.

Why Conon is Important

Conon was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is considered very important to Queensland's history and culture.

Showing Queensland's History

Conon is important because it is one of the oldest houses in the Lutwyche area. It shows how homes were built when the area first started to grow. You can still see how the house changed and grew over time.

A Rare Old House

Conon is special because it is one of the few 1860s houses in Brisbane that still has an early garden. The size of the garden and how the house sits within the modern suburb of Lutwyche makes it even more unique.

A Great Example of Old Homes

The oldest part of Conon shows how buildings were made of stone and brick in the mid-1800s. The house grew from a small home into a much larger one. This shows how the original owners and later owners changed the house as their lives changed.

Beautiful and Historic

Conon has a large garden that adds to its beauty. Even though it is surrounded by newer houses, the house and garden still feel like they belong to the 1800s.

Connected to Important People

Conon is important because the McLennan family lived there for almost 70 years. They played a big part in developing Brisbane in the late 1800s. Later, Sir Neil O'Sullivan, who was a federal government minister, also lived there.