Wednesday 25 July 2012

The Australian Bungalows.

Furness Vale in Derbyshire takes pride in it's three "Australian" bungalows.  These were built, according to which version you hear, either by a retired sea captain or by a returning emigree. Whichever story is true, it seems that the builder was nostalgic for the architectural styles of New South Wales or Victoria.  



Originally these homes all had Australian names.  The nearest in the photo above was called  "Tarramia" and was probably built in 1898. The farthest, built at the same time still retains it's name "Yarrawonga". "Boominoomina" in the middle wasn't built until 1904. 

The three properties were offered for sale at auction in 1911. The owner then lived at "Yarrawonga" and Boominoomina was rented, furnished for £1 per week; probably quite a high price at that time.

The middle bungalow had at first been occupied by Mr Knowles, owner of the local coal mine and brickyard. This was at the time that his new house further up the road was being built. The mine was at the rear of these homes. Although it was worked for a period of more than two centuries, it would never have been much in evidence. At it's peak only 30 men worked underground. All that existed on the surface was a small brick building which also housed the adit and alongside, a small wooden pithead over a shaft.

 
"Yarrawonga"
"Tarramia", later re-named "Garswood"


1927  - The cast of the Methodist Sunday School play gather in the garden.

These bungalows are next to the house "Glencroft"  -  Read the article about Edward Salomons from the menu above.

2 comments:

  1. Very interesting story David! Susan Abernethy

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  2. Norah Frost nee Manley9 July 2016 at 00:15

    Having lived in Furness Vale in the fifties and sixties, I never knew about these bungalows-now resident in Adelaide I can vouch for the fact they just call them "houses"here!

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