HOMESTEAD, 90 HANDFORD LANE, OFFICER
90 HANDFORD LANE OFFICER, CARDINIA SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
The site comprises a series of large open paddocks. In the west of the property approximately 225m from Cardinia Creek there is a low rise with several exotic trees, overlooking a man-made dam. Present extant historical features include a beehive doomed well, the concrete base of the former piggery, a dilapidated brick trough and scattered artefacts, including fragments of glass, ceramics and handmade brick. The beehive domed well is noted as being made from fired brick and coarse cement and is currently not in use. The concrete foundation of the former piggery comprises a central walkway with twelve square enclosures.
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HOMESTEAD, 90 HANDFORD LANE, OFFICER - History
James Murray and Charles Cochran purchased several lots in the 1860s, including the blocks on the west side of Officer South Road Crown Allotments 21, 22 & 23. This parcel of land was owned by James Murray who died in 1924.
No surface evidence of the original Murray Homestead remains; however, there is potential for subsurface material relating to the former house to remain in-situ. The site has potential to yield information about the occupation of the site; the establishment of small farm complexes and the development of pastoral activity in the area.
HOMESTEAD, 90 HANDFORD LANE, OFFICER - Interpretation of Site
James Murray purchased the original block sometime in the 1860s. The following activities are known to have occurred: - Construction of the former Murray Homestead – sub-surface remnants may remain however exact location is unknown but is assunmed to be on the low rise with exotic trees, Scattered over the rise were fragments of glass, ceramics and handmade brick indicating that a house was present at this location. This location is shown on an 1859 map (Figure 2, attachment 1) as being in the general location of the “Murray Homestead”. This parcel of land was owned James Murray who died in 1924. - Construction of a domed well - Construction and operation of a piggery - pastoralism
Heritage Inventory Description
HOMESTEAD, 90 HANDFORD LANE, OFFICER - Heritage Inventory Description
The property comprises a series of large open paddocks. In the west of the property approximately 225m from Cardinia Creek there is a low rise with several exotic trees; overlooking a man-made dam. Noted in association with the dam and exotic trees are: • A beehive domed well. There were once many of them scattered around the region, however very few remain. This particular example could not assessed further due to safety concerns. The top of well is overgrown. Other excellent examples can be found elsewhere in the state. They were built for the use of settlers and travellers (the latter were generally convict built), as the area was first developed. The beehive well top is made from fired brick and coarse cement. Rainwater would collect in the well, staying cool. A square at the top allowed one to dip a bucket into the well. The beehive cover also helped keep the water clean. The use of concrete rendering over brick in the construction of underground tanks came into practice in the late-1890s and continued until around the 1930s. The utilises the same construction technique and was probably built in the same time period, to provide a source of fresh water for agricultural purposes. Tanks were able to be constructed above-ground from the 1930s due to advances in reinforced concrete, which saved on the cost of excavation and prevented pollution from groundwater. The well does not appear to be still in use. • A concrete base; potential the former location of a piggery. The base comprises a central walkway with twelve square enclosures. • A dilapidated brick trough in extremely poor condition made of machine-made bricks • Scattered over the rise were fragments of glass, ceramics and handmade brick indicating that a house was present at this location. This location is shown on an 1859 map as being in the general location of the “Murray Homestead”. This parcel of land was owned James Murray who died in 1924.
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