See Poy House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids See Poy House |
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See Poy House, 2008
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| Location | 134 Edith Street, Innisfail, Cassowary Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1929-1932 |
| Official name: See Poy House | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 19 November 2010 |
| Reference no. | 602759 |
| Significant period | interwar period |
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See Poy House is a special old house in Innisfail, Australia. It was built between 1929 and 1932. This house is important because it shows the success of the See Poy family, who were Chinese Australians. It is now protected on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
A Family's Journey to Success
See Poy House was built for Johnstone and Theodora (Dora) See Poy. They were part of a well-known Chinese Australian family in Innisfail. The house shows how Chinese migrants could become very successful in Queensland.
From Gold to Bananas
Many Chinese men came to Australia in the 1870s. They hoped to find gold. One of them was Taam Sze Pui, who later became known as Tom See Poy.
After the gold rush, many Chinese people started market gardens. They also opened businesses. Tom See Poy moved to the Johnstone River area in the 1880s. This area was good for farming. Many Chinese people worked in the sugar and banana industry. Tom See Poy became very successful with bananas. He and other Chinese businessmen bought land and started farms.
Building a Big Business
In 1883, Tom See Poy opened a store called Kam Who. He later owned it by himself. His business grew a lot, especially with his children's help. By the 1920s, it was called See Poy & Sons.
Johnstone See Poy, Tom's oldest son, became the company director. The business became the biggest department store in North Queensland. It sold everything from toys to cars. In 1930, they built a huge new store. It was made of strong concrete to survive cyclones. This new store was as good as any in Queensland. It was also like the big stores in cities like Hong Kong. See Poy & Sons was a very important store. It stayed open until the early 1980s. The family was even honored by the Queensland Government for their work.
The See Poy Family Homes
While their business grew, the See Poy family built homes. Many family members lived close to the department store. See Poy House was built between 1929 and 1932. Johnstone See Poy owned the land. The house was very large and special. It used expensive timbers and had beautiful leadlight windows. It was also built to be strong against cyclones.
The house was a place for family and friends. It was used for formal dinners and everyday meals. The See Poy family also used their homes for community events. This showed how important they were in Innisfail. They welcomed everyone, no matter their background.
Community Leaders
The See Poy family was very involved in the community. Johnstone See Poy loved gardening. He made a beautiful garden at the house. This garden was used for many family and community events. The family also supported local sports teams. They even donated a trophy for rugby league.
Johnstone was a member of the Rotary Club. His wife, Dora, was in the Inner Wheel. Their home often hosted meetings for these groups. After their only child passed away, Johnstone and Dora decided to host the annual Baby Show for the local Anglican Church. For many years, children performed in the garden. Mothers showed off their babies. This was a big event for the whole community.
Other See Poy family members also lived nearby. Their homes were places for parties and gatherings. The family even hosted important visitors, like the Chinese Consul-General. The See Poy family helped the community for many years.
See Poy House is very special today. The big department store is gone. Other family homes have been changed or pulled down. See Poy House is the last original building. It reminds us of the See Poy family's amazing success. It shows their important role in North Queensland's history.
What See Poy House Looks Like
See Poy House is a large timber house. It sits on a big block of land in Innisfail. The house has many gables (pointed roof sections). It is surrounded by a garden with neat paths and lawn.
The house is built on tall timber stumps. It has timber panels between the stumps. The roof is made of corrugated metal. It has wide eaves. The front of the house has a special entrance. It has a small gable roof above it. There are beautiful leadlight windows all around. These windows have a matching design.
The house has many rooms inside. There is an entry hall, lounge, and dining rooms. There are also bedrooms, a bathroom, and a study. The kitchen is in the back. Some verandahs (porches) have been closed in with windows. This makes them extra living spaces.
Inside, the walls and ceilings are made of painted timber boards. The floors are timber. The formal living and dining rooms have special details. They have picture rails and fancy light fittings. Sliding leadlight doors separate these rooms. The kitchen still has many original features. These include the sink and a serving hatch.
The front yard has an original fence. It has a stone base and posts. The garden has many beds with concrete edges. A curving path leads from the street to the front door. The house also has an old timber garage.
Why See Poy House is Important
See Poy House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2010. This means it is a very important historical place.
Queensland's History
See Poy House shows an important part of Queensland's history. It tells the story of Chinese migration. It shows how Chinese migrants became successful. They gained social standing and joined the wider community. The house helps us understand how a major Chinese Australian family lived in Queensland.
Special People and Groups
See Poy House is strongly connected to the See Poy family. Especially Johnstone See Poy and his wife Theodora. The See Poys were a very important Chinese Australian family. They ran the See Poy & Sons department store for about 100 years. They were active in the community. They were involved in many social, sports, and charity events. Johnstone and Dora hosted many of these events at this house.
See Poy House is a symbol of the family's success. It shows their desire to be part of the Innisfail community. It is the last remaining link to the important role these Chinese Australians played. They helped develop North Queensland's society and economy.
