Kilora
45 Kennedy Street HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Church Hill Precinct Hamilton
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Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: Significant historically as the home of both G H Mott, editor of the Hamilton Spectator and T H Laidlaw, auctioneer. Architecturally significant for its use of polychrome brick and restrained style. ML to check garden which seems to be intact - relationship with Botanic Gardens to be discussed.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Kilora
45 Kennedy Street
One of the first properties in Hamilton, Kilora has regional significance for its architectural interest and its historical associations. It was owned by an early editor of the influential Hamilton Spectator and then by a prominent local auctioneer. The first part of Kilora was constructed in 1871-72 for george H Mott (c1832-1906), previously proprietor of the Albury Border Post and then editor of the Hamilton Spectator from about 1869. During his editorship the views of the newspaper, previously liberal, swung towards the conservative side of Victorian politics. ([i]) Kilora's second owner, the auctioneer, Thomas H Laidlaw (1862-1941) lived in and enlarged the house. Laidlaw bought the pastoral property Croxton during the soldier settlement era and subdivided it in 1905. ([ii]) He was at Kilora still in 1938, when the house was sewered. ([iii]) By 1968 a new owner, W R Riches was recorded. ([iv]) For several years the house was used as a restaurant until 1990 when it was sold.
The house uses details and materials which were typical throughout the Victorian period. It is one of the few buildings in Hamilton which is built with polychrome brick, a fashion which raged through Melbourne and lasted for a whole generation. The architecture of the house gains distinction from its restraint. The extensions built by Laidlaw were sympathetic to the original design. The house remains significantly intact and in excellent condition. The garden, although now simple, has an important relationship with the Botanic Gardens across the street.
[i] Hamilton Rate Book 1871, No 252 (house, NAV 8 pounds), 1872, No. 244 (house allotment NAV 50 pounds); Garden, Don, Hamilton, pp 76-78, 97.
[ii] Ibid., pp 130, 160, 194.
[iii] HSA DP No. 469 (shows ground plans).
[iv] Ibid.
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Kilora - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof: corrugated iron
Walls: polychrome brick
Dressings: cream brick
Plinth: cement rendered brick
Windows: timber double hung sash
Paving: gravel
Other: cast iron verandah frieze
timber verandah columns
open timber gables
NOTABLE FEATURES:garden, original fence and gates, sensative and late use of polychrome brickwork in extension.Kilora - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Evolution of the Town: 1860s, 1880s, 1890s
Communications: Newspapers
Tertiary Industry: AuctioneersKilora - Integrity
Integrity: E
Kilora - Physical Conditions
Conditions: E
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - City of Hamilton Conservation Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard with Carlotta Kellaway & Michael Looker (plus Francis Punch)
Year: 1991
Grading: B
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MECHANICS INSTITUTEVictorian Heritage Register H2171
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HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENSVictorian Heritage Register H2185
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HAMILTON GAS HOLDERVictorian Heritage Register H1086
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