VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINS
VICTORIA STREET WESTMEADOWS, HUME CITY
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Statement of Significance
Data has been updated as a result of the Outer Western Metro Project, Context, March 2010.
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VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINS - History
European settlement in this area began in the mid 1830s as squatters occupied the open grass lands with their flocks of sheep. John Carr Riddell purchased Section 15 Parish of Tullamarine along with Section 6, in the 1840s, although Downies Station is indicated on an early plan (Parish of Tullamarine, 1856). Downie was an early run holder in the district but does not appear to have stayed long.
By 1892 the property appears to have been subdivided into small farms with Nash and Wright occupying adjacent small holdings fronting Moonee Ponds Creek. Their farm houses were located on Victoria and Wright Street respectively (Army Survey Sunbury Inch to a Mile sheet 1916 and 1933).
VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINS - Interpretation of Site
The site comprises a remnant agricultural landscape of well-established boxthorn hedges defining part of the boundaries and internal paddocks of former farms between Wright and Victoria Street.
The site comprises the remains of a homestead and farm complex dating from the 1860s, with later additions which probably date to the second half of the 20th century.
includes the bluestone and handmade brick ruins of the homestead, with the remains of a later concrete slab addition, together with a large brick lined cistern (3.1m diameter) and a cobbled access road. These are surrounded by a series of small paddocks defined by boxthorn hedges punctuated by fenceposts, amongst which can be seen the remains of a collapsed timber shed, an external timber toilet block and a large dump of agricultural and domestic rubbish. Fragments of brick road mettling can be seen throughout this part of the site.
Scatters of domestic artefacts, including ceramic and glass fragments, are visible across the site. A large dam of probable 20th century date lies to the south of the homestead.
VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINS - Archaeological Significance
The ruins and potential subsurface deposits contained within the homestead site have the potential to demonstrate the nature of pastoral farming in the mid 19th century. The extent of surface artefact scatters indicates a lower but still significant potential for deposits across the wider site.
VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINS - Historical Significance
The site is of historical signifance for the high degree to which it preserves the landscape and features of a mid 19th century farmstead.
Heritage Inventory Description
VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINS - Heritage Inventory Description
Homestead ruins including bluestone and brick scatter, brick lined cistern, cobbled drive, collapsed shed, external toilet block and artefact scatters. The site is divided and surrounded by well established box thorn hedges.
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VICTORIA ROAD HOMESTEAD RUINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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WRIGHT STREET HOMESTEAD RUINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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