White Lakes Ruins

Statement of Significance

The place has historic value for its associations with the Whitfield and Connor families. The place has aesthetic value as the remnant of the original cottage demonstrates former building practices and materials.

Physical Description

The remaining element of the original structure is a stand alone red brick chimney. The current house has a stone base. It is a rendered cottage with a corrugated iron roof with a front verandah with simple wood post enclosure. There is a metal outhouse connected to the main house by a covered breezeway and a tall red brick chimney. the mudbrick cottage is also on a stone base with a metal gabled roof and a dove hole in the apex. There is a fire hatch in the rear elevation and a bricked up door.

History

This place was part of the original crown grant to Captain Whitfield soon after his arrival in the colony in 1830. The original cottage on the property, built soon after he settled in 1839, was constructed of slab walls rendered over with mud. The 1840 shed was built of timber slabs. By the 1840s additions were made to the house in the form of a mud brick with stone wall, including fireplace. The sleeping quarters was in the roof space. Later the thatched roofs were replaced with iron.
In 1856 Whitfield divided the 5,000 acres into two sections giving one half to his son, Francis, and the other to George Monro. Francis called his property 'Wicklow Hills' and George retained the name 'Knockdomony'. In anticipation of his marriage in 1856 George built a home overlooking Nardie Pool and planted an English fir in the front garden to mark the occasion.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low-Medium
Authenticity: Medium

Condition

Poor-Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

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.