Rathven, Randwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rathven |
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Rathven
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| Location | 43 St Marks Road, Randwick, City of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1887 |
| Architect | George Raffan |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian |
| Official name: Rathven | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 139 |
| Type | Villa |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | George Raffan |
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Rathven is a very old and special house in the Sydney suburb of Randwick. It was built in 1887 by George Raffan. This grand building was once a private home and later a boarding house for students. Today, it is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of history that needs to be protected.
Contents
Randwick's Fascinating History
How Randwick Got Its Name
The area where Randwick is located today was first given out as land grants in the 1820s. A land grant is like a gift of land from the government. One of the first grants was given to Captain Francis Marsh in 1824.
The name "Randwick" comes from a town in England called Randwick, Gloucestershire. Two brothers, Simeon and James Pearce, suggested the name. Simeon was born in the English Randwick. The brothers were very important in developing Randwick and nearby Coogee.
Early Challenges and Growth
In its early days, Randwick was quite isolated from Sydney. There were swamps and sandhills, making travel difficult. A horse-bus service started in the late 1850s, but the journey was often rough. The bus could get stuck in the sand, and passengers sometimes had to push it out!
Randwick also had different kinds of people living there. Wealthy families lived in large, fancy houses. But working-class people lived in smaller homes, often working in market gardens or piggeries. Some immigrants lived in very simple, makeshift houses.
Becoming a Municipality
In 1858, the NSW Government passed a law allowing towns to become "municipalities." This meant they could form their own local government, collect taxes, and borrow money to improve their area. Randwick was the first suburb to apply and became a municipality in February 1859.
The Randwick Racecourse Effect
Randwick was always a place for sports. In 1863, John Tait helped create the Randwick Racecourse. This was a huge step for the area. The racecourse made Randwick a busy and lively place. Trams soon connected the suburb to Sydney, making travel much easier. Today, Randwick is still a busy place with homes, businesses, and the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital nearby.
Rathven's Unique Story
Building a Grand Home
Rathven was built around 1887 by George Raffan. He designed it as his family home. The property was quite large, extending down to a place called Glebe Gully. Its gardens were beautiful, with tall Norfolk Island pines, huge bamboos, and two large Port Jackson fig trees.
George Raffan was a very important businessman in Sydney. He was from Scotland and came to New South Wales in 1874. He started as a building contractor and quickly became one of Sydney's top builders. He also helped start the cement industry and owned large farms.
Rathven's Many Lives
After George Raffan, other families lived in Rathven. In 1927, the house was sold and became a boarding school for Sydney Grammar School. It stayed a school until 1976. During this time, a large two-story classroom was added to the building.
Saving Rathven from Demolition
In 1979, there were plans to knock down Rathven to build apartments. But many people in the community, like the Randwick and Districts Historical Society, wanted to save it. They cared about its history. Because of their efforts, a special order was put on the property to protect it.
In 1982, Terry and Robin Bolin bought Rathven. With help from the Heritage Council, they worked hard to restore and preserve the house. It was officially added to the State Heritage Register in 1999, ensuring its protection for the future.
Rathven's Design and Features
Architectural Style
Rathven is a large, two-story house built in the Victorian style. It has a unique roof design with a central tower. This tower has a "widow's walk" around it, which is a platform often found on old coastal homes. The house also has a rounded bay on one side.
Inside and Out
Inside Rathven, you can still see many original details. These include fancy cornices (decorative moldings where walls meet ceilings), beautiful ceilings, and fine wooden details. All these features are still in good condition.
The house sits on a large property of about 2,117 square meters (about half an acre). The grounds are beautifully landscaped with mature trees and shrubs. There's also a swimming pool, spa, and tennis court. The house itself has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and formal living and dining rooms.
Current Condition
As of 2011, Rathven was in good physical condition. Over the years, some changes have been made, like adding a double garage and the swimming pool in the 1980s.
Why Rathven is Heritage Listed
Rathven, built around 1887, is an important example of grand Victorian architecture. It is connected to George Raffan, a famous Sydney businessman who helped start the cement industry. The house and its special features are unique in the Randwick area.
Because of its historical and architectural importance, Rathven was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This listing helps make sure this special building is preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
