Donegan's Cottage

Statement of Significance

The site has historic value for its associations with the developers of the site Barnard Drummond Clarkson and Charles Ellery and with the first occupant of the cottage John Donegan.
The building has historic value as a demonstration of development in Toodyay in the late 1880's.
The cottage is rare as one of only a few early 'worker's cottage' residences remaining in Toodyay that has been occupied continuously by one family, the Donegans.
The restoration of the cottage by the community in the 1990's demonstrates its social value. The building has aesthetic value for its landmark quality, and as a demonstration of a simple vernacular worker's cottage.

Physical Description

Single storey simple mud brick cottage with iron hipped roof and open verandah around the building. Timber framed casement windows.

History

Barnard Drummond Clarkson (1836-1909) was associated with the beginnings of Toodyay in 1886 when he loaned the land, this site, to the cricket club. The cricketers and footballers formed and athletics club and purchased the cricket ground. In 1887 Clarkson surveyed land around the recreation ground into one acre blocks and sold them at twenty pounds each. In 1888, Charles George Ellery (1854-1937), the boot-maker, erected three cottages on the lots and established fruit trees and gardens around them. They were the first three houses built on the north side of the river. The subject property was occupied by James Donegan, a local mail and goods carrier. Family members lived in the house until 1993. The cottage was restored in 1997-8.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Medium
Authenticity: Medium

Condition

Good

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.