Lynton, Burwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lynton |
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Lynton, pictured in April 2014.
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| Location | 4 Clarence Street, Burwood, Municipality of Burwood, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1906– |
| Architect | Stanley Rickard |
| Architectural style(s) | Federation |
| Official name: Lynton | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 284 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Lynton is a special old house in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. You can find it at 4 Clarence Street. A famous architect named Stanley Rickard designed Lynton, and it was built starting in 1906. Because it's so important, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's officially protected as a part of history.
Contents
History of Burwood and Lynton
How Burwood Grew Over Time
The area known as Burwood today started to develop a long time ago. In 1791, Parramatta Road was built. It was a very important path connecting Sydney Cove to early settlements. Later, in 1814, Liverpool Road opened. This road was part of the Great South Road.
Early Burwood was mostly large pieces of land given out by the government. One big area was called Burwood Farm. It belonged to Captain Thomas Rowley. He named it after a farm in his home country. This farm was very large, about 750 acres.
Another large area was William Faithful's 1000-acre grant. This land was full of tall trees like ironbark. The government even kept the right to cut timber there for ships.
From Farms to Suburbs
For many years, Burwood had only a few inns along the main roads. There were also some very large farms. But in the 1830s, these big farms started to be divided into smaller pieces. This encouraged more people to move in.
In 1834, part of the Burwood estate was divided into smaller lots. These were sold for country homes and small farms. Streets like Webb and Lucas Road were created from these subdivisions.
A big change happened in 1855 when the first railway line opened. A train station was built in Burwood. This made it much easier and faster to travel to Sydney. Because of the railway, more people wanted to live in Burwood. The area grew very quickly between 1874 and 1900.
Life in Early Burwood
As Burwood grew, more services appeared. The first public school opened around 1838. Churches were also built, like St. Mary's Catholic Church in 1846.
In the late 1800s, many large homes were built in Burwood. People believed the area had a healthy climate. However, life was still quite simple. There was no street lighting until 1883. Homes used candles or lamps for light. Piped water only arrived in 1886. Most homes had outdoor toilets.
The Federation Era and Garden Suburbs
The period from 1889 to 1918 was a time of great growth in Australia. The country's population increased a lot, and many new houses were needed. This was also when Australia's states joined together to form a single nation, called the Federation, in 1901.
During this time, building techniques improved. New suburbs were built around Sydney. People started thinking about "Garden Suburbs." These were planned areas with wide, tree-lined streets and lots of green spaces. Houses were usually separate, not joined together. This style was very different from older city developments.
The idea of Garden Suburbs aimed to create pleasant and organized living areas. They had special zones for homes and shops. They also had parks and gardens. This planning helped suburbs grow in a more beautiful and organized way.
Lynton's Story
Lynton was designed in 1906 for Arthur Hezlett. The architect was Stanley Rickard.
In 1981, a group of special houses in Burwood, including Lynton, were suggested for protection. These houses showed the beautiful Federation style. Lynton was chosen because it was an excellent example of this style. It also fit well with other grand Federation homes nearby.
Initially, five houses were protected. But later, it was decided that Lynton was one of the most outstanding. So, it received special protection.
In 1985, an Alderman (a local council member) bought Lynton. He turned it into a reception center, a place for events. During this change, some walls inside were removed. The house was in poor condition at the time. However, the new owner later restored it beautifully.
Lynton was officially listed on the State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
About Lynton
The Site and Gardens
Lynton sits on a rising hill, a little way back from Clarence Street. It used to have a circular driveway in front. You can still see parts of a circular rose garden and flower beds.
A tall hedge of Photinia robusta was planted in the 1980s. It helps to screen the house from the street, giving it privacy. The main gate has a special roofed entrance called a lych gate. Stone steps and a path lead to the house.
Around the property, you can see mature trees. These include a cock's comb coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli), a fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), and Bhutan cypresses (Cupressus torulosa). At the back, facing Church Street, there are stables built in the Federation style. The house also has lovely wooden fretwork and verandah columns.
The House's Design
Lynton is a very ornate and unique example of the Federation style. It uses many different shapes and materials. The roof has multiple gables, which are pointed sections. The walls have a rough plaster finish, and the windows have leaded glass.
The house also features detailed carved timber and stone work. Its ballroom is located on the right side of the front door. The design of Lynton truly captures the architectural style of its time. Its most striking feature is its beautiful and complex roofline.
Decoration is found all over the house, not just on the roof. Wood, glass, and tiles are used for many ornaments. The Art Nouveau style influenced the house's design. You can see this in the plaster ceilings of the drawing room and entry hall.
The windows and doors have leadlight designs that show plants. Leaves and flower buds twist from the bottom to the top of the glass. If a door has a fanlight (a window above) and sidelight (windows beside it), the plant designs wrap around the entire doorway. A small wall facing the street has the name Lynton carved into it.
Changes Over Time
- In 1985, Lynton was in a bad state. It was converted into a reception center and then restored. Changes were made inside, like adding kitchen equipment and updating bathrooms. The roof also had repairs, with new copper added to valleys and flat roofs.
- In 1990, a lych gate was built over the Clarence Street entrance. Wooden balconies on the first floor were also put back.
Awards and Recognition
Lynton has received awards for its restoration. It won an award from the National Trust and the Bicentennial Restoration Competition.
Why Lynton is a Heritage Site
As of October 3, 2000, Lynton is considered a very important heritage site. It is a large and unusual Federation mansion with great architectural interest. It adds a lot to the special character of the Burwood area. The house is a local landmark. It is still in its original condition and keeps its original large block of land.
Lynton was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This happened because it met several important requirements:
It shows the history of New South Wales. Lynton was designed as a unique house with its own garden. It was built in the Federation style, which gave the area a special look. Lynton represents an important time in Australia's building and social history. It shows the ideas and concepts of that period.
It shows great creative and technical skill. Lynton has many features typical of the Federation Style. You can see its high, gabled roof. It also has double-hung windows and beautiful leadlight and stained glass. Detailed timber columns and decorative valances run along the verandah. This design is repeated in the window hoods and roof boards. The upper floor is built into the roof space with gabled dormer windows. The gables have half-timbering and stucco, and the roof is made of slate with terracotta ridges.
It is a rare example of its kind. Lynton is the only house remaining on such a large piece of land in its block, with a front view to Clarence Street. This makes it quite unique.
It shows the main features of a type of historical place. Lynton is a clear example of the Federation Style. It represents an important time in Australian architecture and social history. It truly reflects the ideas of its era.
