Wolverton, West End facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolverton |
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Wolverton, 2005
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| Location | 95 Stagpole Street, West End, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1903 |
| Built for | Thomas Turton |
| Official name: Wolverton | |
| Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600927 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | kitchen/kitchen house, garden/grounds, driveway, roof/ridge ventilator/s / fleche/s, residential accommodation - main house, fence/wall - perimeter |
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Wolverton is a special old house in West End, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It's a detached house, meaning it stands by itself, and it was built around 1903. This house is so important that it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's protected because of its history and unique style.
Contents
The Story of Wolverton
Wolverton is a beautiful timber house with lots of decorations. It was built around 1903 for a man named Thomas Turton. Thomas was a very famous painter and decorator in Townsville. We don't know who designed or built the house itself.
Thomas Turton's Business
Thomas Turton had a successful business called Turton, Savage & Co. They were painters, glaziers, and sold glass, oil, and colours. Their shop was on Flinders Street in Townsville. For over 30 years, Thomas was the top painter and decorator in the city.
Building the House
It seems Wolverton was finished around 1903. Thomas's wife, Emily Helen Elizabeth Turton, officially became the owner of the land in mid-1903. By 1904, Thomas Turton was listed as living on Stagpole Street.
The house probably started with two big rooms and a hallway in the middle. It had verandahs all around it. There was also a separate kitchen building at the back. Later, the back verandah was closed in, and another section was added to the house.
Unique Design
Wolverton was one of only five timber houses built in Townsville during the Federation era. These houses had a special roof style with many gables. One of these five houses has been taken down, and another was moved to a farm. Wolverton is one of only three left in Townsville that have been fixed up and still look great.
Life at Wolverton
Thomas and Emily Turton lived in Wolverton until about 1916. After that, it seems the house was rented out to other people. Mrs. Turton sold the house in 1925. Over the years, many different people owned or rented Wolverton.
In the 1930s, the house was actually moved sideways a bit. This created an empty block of land next to it. Then, in the 1950s, it was divided into two separate apartments. But in the 1980s, Wolverton was carefully restored. It was made to look like it did before the 1950s.
What Wolverton Looks Like
Wolverton is a simple, single-storey timber house. It sits high up on concrete stumps. The house is surrounded by a modern tropical garden with ferns, palms, and shady trees. In the front yard, there's a curved driveway. You can also see parts of the original concrete fence and posts.
Roof and Verandahs
The roof of the building is quite interesting, with many different hips and gables. There are two small gables at the front of the house that match each other. A larger gabled section extends through the front verandah. A big square vent sits in the middle of the corrugated iron roof.
The verandah goes around three sides of the house. It has wooden dowel railings and lattice screens. The front porch is decorated with pretty wooden fretwork. There's also a wooden arch over the front steps. The outside walls are made of single timber boards, so you can see the wooden frame. Inside, timber boards are used for both the walls and ceilings.
Why Wolverton is Special
Wolverton was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's considered very important for a few reasons.
Part of Queensland's History
Wolverton is a fancy timber house built around 1903. This was a time when Townsville was growing fast as a port. It helped move minerals from the countryside. The house shows how Queensland's history developed during that period.
A Rare Find
This house is special because it shows what a Federation-era timber house looked like. It has a unique roof with many gables and decorative timber details. This style is not common in Townsville. Wolverton is one of only three such houses still standing in the city.
Great Example of a House Style
Wolverton is a great example of a certain type of house. It clearly shows the main features of a Federation-era timber home. Its multi-gabled roof and detailed timber decorations are quite rare in Townsville.
Beautiful to Look At
Wolverton is a very decorative building. It adds a unique and beautiful touch to the streets of West End in Townsville.
