Oakwal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oakwal |
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Residence in 2015
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| Location | 50 Bush Street, Windsor, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s - 1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1864 - c. 1948 |
| Architect | James Cowlishaw |
| Official name: Oakwal | |
| Type | state heritage (built, landscape) |
| Designated | 14 May 1993 |
| Reference no. | 600345 |
| Significant period | 1860s, 1940s (fabric) 1860s-1890s (historical) |
| Significant components | kitchen/kitchen house, residential accommodation - main house, garden/grounds |
| Builders | John Petrie |
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Oakwal is a beautiful old house in Windsor, a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It's known as a "heritage-listed" building, which means it's an important part of history and needs to be protected.
This large stone house was designed by a famous architect named James Cowlishaw. It was built in 1864 by John Petrie. Over the years, some changes were made, but it still looks much like it did long ago.
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The Story of Oakwal
Oakwal was built for Justice James Cockle. He was the first Chief Justice of Queensland, which means he was the most important judge in the state. Building the house cost a lot of money back then, about £4,000!
Before Justice Cockle bought the land, it was owned by a businessman named Daniel Rountree Somerset. He bought a large area of land in 1858. Justice Cockle bought nearly 16.2 hectares (about 40 acres) from him in 1863.
How Oakwal Got Its Name
Justice Cockle and his wife chose the name "Oakwal" for their new home. It's a mix of two places: "Oak" comes from Great Oakley in Essex, England, where Justice Cockle was born. "Wal" comes from Walton in Suffolk, England, where his wife was born.
Life at Oakwal with the Cockles
The Cockle family lived at Oakwal for 15 years. Lady Cockle, Justice Cockle's wife, was known for hosting a special annual picnic for local school children in the large gardens. Imagine having a huge picnic in your backyard every year!
When Justice Cockle left Queensland in 1878, he rented out the house. One very important person who lived there was Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer. He was the Premier of Queensland (like the state's leader) from 1870 to 1874. He even acted as the Governor of Queensland a few times. Sir Arthur Palmer lived at Oakwal during the 1880s.
Oakwal's Later Owners
In 1888, the house was sold to its original designer, James Cowlishaw. He was not only an architect but also a politician and owned newspapers. The property was sold for a large sum, around £10,000.
Cowlishaw decided to divide the large Oakwal estate into smaller blocks of land and sold many of them. However, his family members have lived in the main house since 1890. In the late 1940s, part of the house, a two-story stone kitchen wing, was taken down. This allowed for new streets to be built, including Bush Street, which now goes around the house. The stone blocks from the old kitchen were even used to decorate the remaining gardens.
What Oakwal Looks Like
Oakwal is a single-story house made of sandstone. It sits on top of a hill near Breakfast Creek in Windsor. The house has a classic design style called "Georgian influence." This means it has a balanced and formal look.
You'll notice its symmetrical front, with a grand entrance called a "portico." The walls are made of hammered stone, and the verandahs (porches) have strong timber posts. The windows have louvred shutters and are actually French doors, which open wide.
The roof is shaped like a "U" and is made of slate. It has four stone chimneys. There are verandahs on the south, east, and north sides. The main entrance has double timber doors with a fanlight (a window shaped like a fan above the door) and sidelights (windows on the sides).
Inside, the house has a central hallway with archways and a special domed skylight that lets in natural light. Many of the original features are still there, like the cedar wood doors, architraves (decorative frames around doors and windows), and skirtings (boards along the bottom of walls). The walls are smooth, and the ceilings have beautiful plaster decorations called "roses." The floors are made of timber.
Most of the main rooms have fireplaces, and two of them still work, with fancy marble surrounds. The kitchen is now in what used to be the northwest room.
Why Oakwal is Important
Oakwal is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's a very important historical site.
A Glimpse into Queensland's Past
Built in 1864, Oakwal is one of the oldest large houses on the hills of Brisbane's northern suburbs. It shows us how Brisbane grew and developed in the mid-1800s.
A Rare and Beautiful Building
This 1860s sandstone and slate house is special because of its beauty and how well it was built. Many of its original features, like the cedar woodwork, the skylight, the plaster ceiling roses, the stonework, and the beech floors, are still in great condition. It's a rare example of this type of house in Brisbane.
Designed by a Master Architect
Oakwal is a fantastic example of the homes designed by James Cowlishaw, a very important Brisbane architect. It also has strong connections to the Cockle, Palmer, and Cowlishaw families, who were all important figures in Queensland's history, including judges and politicians.
A Landmark in the Community
The house and its grounds are also important because they stand out in the area. They add to the overall look and feel of the neighborhood, making it a recognizable landmark.
