Arcadia House - Site

Statement of Significance

• The site has historic value for its association with the development of Rockingham as a
holiday destination in the 1930s and 1940s, and has also been used as convalescence
home, guesthouse, holiday home and residence.
• The place has social value for the members of the community who had spent holidays
there, particularly employees of the Commonwealth Bank between 1950s and 1970s.

Physical Description

Redeveloped site with no retained evidence or marker of the original Arcadia House.

History

The building formerly on a large site on the north east corner of Arcadia Drive and Liverpool Street was built as a convalescence home in 1939 by Matron Smith who also ran the “Lucknow Hospital” in Claremont at that time. An item in the local press described the project as follows;
A two storied stone guest house has been erected by Matron Smith. This building
contains 17 rooms, a large entrance hall 32 x 16 together with all conveniences. The
building occupies a commanding position on the beach front and is a substantial and
solid structure which reflects credit on the contractor, Mr R. E. Crofts, of Safety Bay.
It was opened as the 'Kings View Hostel' on 4th November 1939 with a community concert and card party. It was also referred to as the Safety Bay Convalescence Home during these early years.
The property was subdivided in 1948 and sold to Mrs G. I. Clarkson in 1949. The Commonwealth Bank purchased the lodge in 1950. The place was then used as a holiday home for staff and continued to be known as ‘Kingsview Lodge’ although this function ceased in 1951.
The lodge had different owners from 1970 onwards and recommenced operating as a holiday guest house. It had a succession of different names over time: “Gregmar Lodge” in 1981; “C Side Lodge” in 1985; and later it was referred to as “Safety Bay Guest House”. In 1991, the lodge was renamed “Ye Olde Safety Bay Inn” and it was transferred to K. McDonald during the same year, who later renamed the place “Arcadia Lodge”. The name derived from Seaforth McKenzie whose house “Arcadia” on neighbouring lots. In 1991 and 1992, a garage, portico and front fence were added under the ownership of K McDonald.
The owners demolished Arcadia Lodge in 2007.

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.