St. Cloud, Burwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Cloud, Burwood |
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| Location | 223 Burwood Road, Burwood, Municipality of Burwood, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1892-93 |
| Official name: St. Cloud and Site; St Cloud and site | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 564 |
| Type | Mansion |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | George Hoskins |
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St. Cloud is a beautiful old mansion located at 223 Burwood Road in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It was built between 1892 and 1893 by a man named George Hoskins. This grand house is also known as St. Cloud and Site. Because of its special history and design, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Look at Burwood's Past
How Burwood Grew
Long ago, in 1791, Parramatta Road was built. It was a very important path connecting Sydney Cove to the farming areas. Later, in 1814, Liverpool Road opened. These roads helped people travel and move goods.
The land where Burwood now stands was once covered in thick forests. Early land grants were given to people like Captain Thomas Rowley and William Faithful. Rowley named his land "Burwood Farm" after a farm in England. These large land areas slowly started to be divided up. This encouraged more people to settle there.
Early Life in Burwood
In 1855, the first railway line opened to Parramatta. This was a big deal for Burwood! A train station was built, making it much easier and faster to travel to Sydney. This speedy transport helped Burwood grow quickly. Between 1874 and 1900, Burwood's population jumped from 1,200 to 7,400 people.
Life in early Burwood was quite different from today. There was no street lighting until 1883. Homes used candles or lamps for light. Piped water didn't arrive until 1886, so people relied on wells or tanks. There were also no indoor toilets!
Building Boom
The late 1800s and early 1900s were a time of great change in Australia. Many new buildings were constructed, especially homes in new suburbs around Sydney. This was because there were plenty of skilled workers and building materials available. New building methods also made construction better.
During this time, the idea of a "Garden Suburb" became popular. This meant designing suburbs with lots of green spaces, wide tree-lined streets, and separate houses instead of rows of attached homes. Burwood, with its beautiful streets like Burwood Road, became a good example of this new way of planning suburbs.
The Story of St. Cloud
Who Built St. Cloud?
St. Cloud was built by a famous businessman named George Hoskins. He was known for helping to start the steel industry in places like Lithgow and Port Kembla with his brother, Charles Hoskins.
George Hoskins also helped build the large water pipes that brought Sydney's water supply to its suburbs. He knew how important a good water supply was for growing communities like Burwood.
In 1893, George Hoskins and his brother Charles moved to Burwood. George moved into St. Cloud, and Charles moved into a nearby mansion called Illyria.
What St. Cloud Was Used For
For some time, St. Cloud was used as an office building for St. Joseph's Convent, a religious school. But in 1978, it returned to being a private home, just as it was originally built.
What St. Cloud Looks Like
The Grounds and Garden
As you approach St. Cloud from Burwood Road, you'll see a low sandstone fence with fancy details. Two cast iron gates open onto a curved driveway. The garden around the house is very green and full of mature trees and shrubs. These plants help create a peaceful space away from the busy road.
Some of the interesting trees you might spot include the firewheel tree, Canary Island date palm, and a large lemon-scented gum.
The Mansion Itself
St. Cloud is a two-storey mansion built in the Victorian style. It has a dark slate roof and beautiful decorations, including fancy ironwork and bay windows that stick out from the walls.
A striking feature of the house is its three-storey tower on the front, topped with a shiny copper dome. Inside, St. Cloud has nine main rooms. Three are downstairs, and six are upstairs. A billiards room was added in 1910, a place for playing pool.
The house has very detailed woodwork and plaster designs on the ceilings. The entry door is richly carved and surrounded by lovely stained glass. There's also a grand carved cedar staircase.
St. Cloud is a well-kept house that combines different architectural styles beautifully. Its large size and spacious grounds make it a notable landmark in Burwood.
Changes Over Time
- In 1910, a billiards room was added to the house.
- Later, it was used as the administrative block for St. Joseph's Convent.
- In 1978, it became a private residence again.
Why St. Cloud is Important
St. Cloud is considered a very important historical building. It was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it is protected and recognized for its historical and architectural value.
