North Street residences facts for kids

The North Street residences are a group of historic homes in North Street, Windsor, Australia. They are also known as the North Street Group. These cottages are very important to the history of New South Wales and were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. They are often seen as part of a larger historical area, including the old Court House Hotel nearby.

A Glimpse into the Past: Early History

The land around the Hawkesbury River was originally home to the Dharug people. This area was very important for them, providing lots of food from the Nepean River and South Creek. The Dharug and Darkinjung people called the river Deerubbin. It was a key source of food and a way to travel.

In 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip explored this area. He was looking for good farmland for the new colony. He discovered and named the Hawkesbury River after Baron Hawkesbury. This region became very important for the early European settlement. Farmers settled here by 1794. The area, first called Green Hills, had rich floodplains. It helped feed the colony during tough times. However, the river often flooded, which could ruin the farmers.

The first piece of land in this area was given to a European settler on 19 November 1794. This was a 30-acre grant to Samuel Wilcox. He named his property Wilcox Farm. He was allowed to live there and improve the land for 10 years without taxes. If he didn't, the land would go back to the government.

Later, between 1794 and 1841, Samuel Wilcox sold his farm. It was bought by George Thomas Palmer, a gentleman from Parramatta. Palmer was a significant person in the early colony. He bought a lot of land, including Wilcox Farm. Palmer Street in Windsor is named after him. Even though Palmer didn't live at the Hawkesbury property, it was used for farming. Old maps show it had fenced fields and buildings for storing hay.

In 1841, Palmer sold a large area of land, including Wilcox Farm, to Charles Campbell. Campbell then divided the land into smaller blocks to sell in 1842. This led to the development of North Street. North Street was named after Lieutenant Samuel North.

Stories of the North Street Homes

Many of the homes on North Street were built in the 1800s. Each has its own story, often staying in families for many years. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) has played a big role in protecting these old buildings. They have bought, renovated, and then sold some of them back into private hands. This helps make sure these historic homes are kept safe for the future.

25 North Street: A Shared Home

The land for 25 North Street was bought by Charles Campbell. Later, it was owned by James Bell and Robert Stewart. Stewart eventually owned it alone. A house was likely built here between 1844 and 1865. In 1884, James Ewing bought the property. It stayed in his family until 1922. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) later owned it, renovated it, and then sold it.

28 North Street: A Family Residence

The history of 28 North Street is less known from early records. The current house was built around 1875 for the Tebbutt family. They were known for their observatory nearby. It later became the home of the Mullinger family and stayed with them for many years. Over time, modern additions like a garage and swimming pool were added.

29 North Street: A Free-Standing Cottage

In 1842, Joseph Windred bought the land for 29 North Street. He likely built the cottage there in the early 1840s. The Windred family owned it until 1872. Then, Aquila Hagger, a farmer, bought it in 1873. The Hagger family kept the property until 1960. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) bought it in 1976, renovated it, and then sold it again.

31-33 North Street: Possibly an Inn's Neighbor

John Shearing bought the land for 31-33 North Street in 1843. He also owned the Court House Hotel site next door. The building here was constructed in the 1840s. It might have been an inn, or perhaps an extra building for the Court House Inn. The Shearing family owned it until 1862. It then changed hands several times, staying in the Dunstan family for a long period. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) recognized its importance in 1976.

35 North Street: A Timber Home

This property was once part of the Court House Hotel land. The cottage was probably built around the 1860s by Richard Seymour. In 1870, John Dunstan bought it, along with 31-33 North Street. It remained a family home for the Dunstan family until 1952. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) bought it in 1976. They moved an old timber building into the yard and carried out repairs before selling it.

Architectural Features: What the Homes Look Like

The North Street residences are on the northern side of North Street. They follow the gentle slope of the street. These old buildings are close to the road, with only a narrow grassy path in front. All the properties have large trees behind them and pretty gardens around the houses.

• 25 North Street looks like two homes joined together, but it's now used as one house. It's made of sandstock brick with a sandstone cellar and foundations. It has a sandstone verandah and window sills. The windows have twelve panes of glass, and the doors have six panels. The roof is unique, with a jerkin head style and dormer windows. A central chimney shows where the two original homes were. There are also smaller buildings behind the house.

• 28 North Street is a single-story brick house set back from the street. It has a wide verandah that wraps around the front. This verandah has pretty cast iron columns and decorative trim. French windows open from inside, with long louvered shutters. A tall chimney on the roof makes the design look very formal.

• 29 North Street is a separate sandstock brick cottage. It has sandstone foundations, window tops (lintels), and sills. The windows have twelve panes, and the doors have four panels. The iron roof is hipped, meaning it slopes down on all sides. It has a timber verandah with a picket fence.

• 31-33 North Street is built from sandstock brick. Its walls sit on stone foundations. There's a stone-paved verandah with a picket fence. The house has a hipped iron roof. It features twelve-pane windows and French doors with glass panels.

• 35 North Street is a single-story timber house. Its western wall is the brick wall of the next-door property (37-39 North Street). It has a front made of rough-cut boards, four-pane windows, and four-panel doors. It has a simple pitched roof with curved iron sheets covering the verandah. The verandah has a picket fence. A timber extension has been added to the back. There's also a large timber outbuilding that was brought to the site.