12
1 Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW Take home more from your visit to Milton with a walk around its historic town buildings and charming late 19th to early 20th century homes. The main street walk, Walk A, is about 900m and you can add two extension walks. The Walk B loop to the north is an extra 340m, and the Walk C loop to the south-east, adds another 1.8km. Each of the walks has stops at historic buildings and sites along the way, numbered A1 to A16, B1 to B3 and C1 to C22 for each loop. Where to begin Walk A is a loop which starts and finishes on the south-west corner of Wason St and the Princes Highway. (see on map, below) Park your car Park in the free all-day carpark behind the shops on the south-western side of the highway and accessed from either Wason St (driveway next to Annabel’s Cafe) or Myrtle Street – park along any side street – in the carpark on the eastern side of the Princes Highway behind IGA, and accessed from Church St. Toilets If you need a comfort stop during your walk, you will find public toilets next to Milton Library (Walk A), in Mick Ryan Reserve (Walk B) and in the hall behind the Church of St Peter and St Paul (start of Walk C). Further south, you can sample the coffee and baked delights of the Heritage Bakery to then use its toilets (Walk C). Acknowledgement of country Milton is on Yuin country, in the Dhurga language group, and is overlooked by the sacred Didthul (Pigeon House) Mountain. Aboriginal occupation of the area extends back at least 20,000 years and the area has many fine examples of rock paintings, engravings and tool making. You can learn more about the indigenous history of this area by joining a local elder for a Coomee Nulunga Cultural Tour, named for Coomee Nulunga, aka Moriah/Maria, a well-known local Aboriginal elder woman (1829-1914). Didthul Pigeon House Mountain. An HC Blackburn postcard

Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    1

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

1

Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW TakehomemorefromyourvisittoMiltonwithawalkarounditshistorictownbuildingsandcharminglate19thtoearly20thcenturyhomes.

Themainstreetwalk,WalkA,isabout900mandyoucanaddtwoextensionwalks.TheWalkBlooptothenorthisanextra340m,andtheWalkClooptothesouth-east,addsanother1.8km.Eachofthewalkshasstopsathistoricbuildingsandsitesalongtheway,numberedA1toA16,B1toB3andC1toC22foreachloop.WheretobeginWalkAisaloopwhichstartsandfinishesonthesouth-westcornerofWasonStandthePrincesHighway.(see★onmap,below)

ParkyourcarParkinthefreeall-daycarparkbehindtheshopsonthesouth-westernsideofthehighwayandaccessedfromeitherWasonSt(drivewaynexttoAnnabel’sCafe)orMyrtleStreet–parkalonganysidestreet–inthecarparkontheeasternsideofthePrincesHighwaybehindIGA,andaccessedfromChurchSt.ToiletsIfyouneedacomfortstopduringyourwalk,youwillfindpublictoiletsnexttoMiltonLibrary(WalkA),inMickRyanReserve(WalkB)andinthehallbehindtheChurchofStPeterandStPaul(startofWalkC).Furthersouth,youcansamplethecoffeeandbakeddelightsoftheHeritageBakerytothenuseitstoilets(WalkC).AcknowledgementofcountryMiltonisonYuincountry,intheDhurgalanguagegroup,andisoverlookedbythesacredDidthul(PigeonHouse)Mountain.

Aboriginaloccupationoftheareaextendsbackatleast20,000yearsandtheareahasmanyfineexamplesofrockpaintings,engravingsandtoolmaking.YoucanlearnmoreabouttheindigenoushistoryofthisareabyjoiningalocalelderforaCoomeeNulungaCulturalTour,namedforCoomeeNulunga,akaMoriah/Maria,awell-knownlocalAboriginalelderwoman(1829-1914).

DidthulPigeonHouseMountain.AnHCBlackburnpostcard

Page 2: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

2

MiltonsettlementhistoryMiltonissetamongoneofthemostbeautifulpastorallandscapesinAustraliawithrollinggreenhillsanddairyfarmsdatingbacktothe1830s.Ifyouexploresomeofthesurroundingcountrysideyouwillfindelegantmid-tolate-19thcenturyhomesteadsandfarmbuildingsatMtAirlie,Boolgatta,KendallDale,Kirmington,Whoppindally,Narrawilly,SunnyVale,PineView,MimosaFarm,LochLeven,Avenal,Applegarth,DanesbankandEyrieBowrie.

BritishsettlersfirstcametotheMiltonareatoharvestthevaluableredcedarbutsoonrealisedthefarmingpotentialofthesurroundingnutrient-richvolcanicsoil,knownasMiltonmonzonite.Theyalsodevelopedathrivingtimberindustry,cuttingthetall,straightlocaltreessuchasthespottedgum(Corymbiamaculata)forexporttotheIllawarraregionandSydneyforbuilding,railwaysleepersandminetimbering.AlongtheelevatedridgelinefromStonyHillsettlersbuilthomesat‘TheSettlement’(nowMilton),andalsotothewestonthefertileplainatCroobyar,andat‘BoatHarbour’,nowUlladulla.

MiltonSubdivisionPlan1860,assurveyedbyMorton

Miltontowncentrewassubdividedin1860byspeculatorJohnBoothonlandboughtfromJosephWhatmanofMyrtleFarm.The32lotssoldintheareawereboundedbyMyrtleSt,ThomasSt,ChurchStandCroobyarRd,withtheSouthernRd(alsolocallyknownasMurramarangSt,oralsosimply‘MainSt’,andnowthePrincesHighway)crossingitatanangle,causingsomeunusualblockshapesandintersections.Streetswerenamedforfamilyandfriendsandthebuildinglotssoldquicklyforupto£27each.

NobodyknowsforsurewhythetownwascalledMilton.JohnBoothhadacousinwhoownedMiltonParkinBedfordshire,oranotherstorysaysthatBoothwasafanoftheEnglishpoetJohnMiltonwhowrote‘ParadiseLost’.

Miltongrewandprosperedoverthefollowingcentury,becomingathrivingcentreforthelocalindustriesofdairying,timbergettingandsilicamining.AlthoughUlladullawastheall-importantport,Miltonbecamethemaincommercialandshoppingprecinctfortheentiredistrict,withUlladullaonlymovingaheadasthecommercialcentresincethe1970s.MiltonarchitectureSeveralofMilton’smainstreetpublicbuildingsdatefromthelate19thcenturyandthesurroundingstreetshavemanyfineexamplesoflateVictoriancottageswiththeirsymmetricallayout,weatherboardcladding,steeplypitched‘corrugated-iron’roofs,and4-6postfrontverandahs.AmongthemyouwillalsoseelayersoflaterbuildingssuchasFederationand1920sbungalow-stylehouseswithsingleordoublegables,postWW2cottageswithhiproofs,andalsomid-centuryhomesfeaturingcornerwindowsandflatsteelroofs.

MurramarangorMainSt(nowPrincesHighway),lookingsoutheastfromcornerofMyrtle&ThomasStreets.1908postcard

Page 3: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

3

WalkA–TheMainStreetWalk-900metrecircuitonalevelgrade.AllpavedBeginyourwalkonthesouth-westcornerofWasonStandthePrincesHighway(see★onmap,above).NotethatthebuildingsarelistedinorderalongthesideofthePrincesHighwaythatyouarewalking.HoweveryouwillfindthatviewingthemagainfromacrosstheothersideoftheHighwaywillgiveyouabetterviewoftheiroverallarchitecture.Walknorth-west(uphill)A1.69PrincesHighway–nowMiltonLibraryBuiltin1871bypublicsubscriptionasaSchoolofArts,itwasdesignedbyT.OCharterandbuiltbyJohnPorterofMilton.Manytownspeopleenjoyededucationallecturesandlanternslidenightsheldhere.

In1874thenewly-formedCounciloftheMunicipalityofUlladullarentedspacehereforitsmeetingsforseveralyears,thenmovedtoWasonSt(eastside)intoatimber-linedcorrugatedironbuilding.In1927itfinallyboughttheSchoolofArtsandmovedbackin,renamingittheTownHall(andchangingthesignonthebuilding’sfacade).ThesalefundedthebuildingoftheMiltonTheatrenextdoor.

AfterWW1itwasusedasthe‘welcomehome’venueforreturningservicemenandwomen,includingdecoratedlocalnurseKittyPorterandMilitaryMedalwinnerPrivateJackJones.Youcanimaginethescene-thebuildingdecoratedwithUnionJacksandAustralianflags,theMiltonTownBandplaying,thecrowdofmenintheirbestsuitsandladiesinwhitedresseswithgianthats,andthenthecheersaseveryonepushesforwardasthemotorcararrives,bringingtheirlocalherohome.

Sincethe1980sithasbeenusedasalibrary.Youwillnoticeasmallannexeontheleftsideofthebuilding–originallytherewasamatchingannexeontherightsidetoo,butwasdemolishedtomakeroomfortheMiltonTheatre.

SchoolofArts,MiltonNSWc.1910.Noteoriginalfacadesignis‘SchoolArts1871’,not‘TownHall’asitistoday

A2.69PrincesHighway–MiltonTheatreBuiltin1927-1929asthe“NewSchoolofArts,Milton”,itwasusedasadancehallandpicturetheatre.Duringthedaysofsilentfilms,intermissionentertainmentincludedmagicians,singersandevenawoodchoppingcontestonthestage.

1930sMilton,withtheMiltonTheatre(right).Bartlett’sbustravelledfromNowratoMoruya

Ithasalsobeenusedasacommunityeventscentreandacinemafrom1952-1962,andalsoagainfromthemid-1970s.Today,theMiltonTheatreisamuch-lovedvenueforlivemusic,festivaleventsandannualshowsperformedbytheMiltonFolliesandtheMiltonEntertainers.Ithasstallseatsandasmalldresscircle.

Page 4: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

4

A3.67PrincesHighway–HindmarshHouseDatingfrom1873,thisclassicVictorian-erabrickresidencewasbuiltasaprivatehomeforWilliamRutterHindmarsh,whoseinitials‘WRH’canbeseenoverthedoor.HindmarshfarmedoutatCroobyarandplayedamajorroleinintroducingAustralianIllawarraShorthorncattletotheMiltonarea.Hewasalsoalocalmagistrate,dedicatedpigeonshooterandstalwartoftheAgriculturalSociety,oftenwinningprizesforhisvegetables.

Ifheandhisfamilyeverlivedinthishouseitwasonlyforaveryshorttimeasbymid1873hehadsoldupallhispropertyinthedistrictandmovedbacktohishometownofGerringong.Thebuildingwaslaterusedasatelegraphofficein1876,andalsoasabank,andbyDrRenwickashissurgeryintheearly1900s.Mostlocalsknowitas‘Thompson’sBakery’,whichitwasduringmuchofthe20thcentury.Itwasbeautifullyrestoredandrenovatedin2014-15.

HindmarshHouse,wasThompson’sBakeryinlate1970s

A4.61PrincesHighway(north-westcornerofMyrtleSt)Builtin1886,thesecornerbuildingsarenowclothingshopsandasolicitor’soffice.Inthe1950s-60s,PeterGatehouserananelectricalbusinessfromhere.HeusedtostartlethetownbybroadcastinghisfavouritemusicfromtimetotimeonSaturdayafternoonsthroughspeakersthatheriggedupontelegraphpolesdownthemainstreetofMilton.OptionalWalkBLoop(seepage8-9)-FromStopA4at61PrincesHighwayonthecornerofMyrtleSt,takethe340mWalkBextensionloopbycontinuingnorthupthehighwayor,tocontinuetheMainStreetwalk,crossthePrincesHighwaytothecornerofThomasSt.A5.1ThomasSt–formerWesleyanMethodistParsonageBuiltintheearly1860sasaparsonageforthefirstWesleyanministeronlanddonatedbyHenryClaydon.AlthoughlocalfolkloresaysthattheparsonagewasnotoccupiedbyWesleyanministersbecausethechurchhierarchyandtheministerthoughtitwastoogrand,thisisunlikelyasseveralothersimilarbuildingswereusedbyMethodistministersinNSW.Thefirstminister,RevJ.Zillmanwasasinglemanwho,notsurprisingly,preferredtoboardwithalocalfamily,asdidmanysubsequentunmarriedministers.HoweverrecordsshowthatRevGeorgePickeringandhiswifeMarthalivedhereinthe1870s.Theoldparsonagewasfinallysoldin1929andhasbeenusedasaresidence,ahosteland,duringWW2,asasurveillancepostforspottingenemyaircraft.WalkalittlefurtherdownThomasSttoseeMiltonPublicSchoolA6.9ThomasSt–MiltonPublicSchool

TheestablishmentofMiltonSchoolwasoneexampleofbitterrivalryduringthe1860s-70sbetweenDavidWardenofCroobyarandaMiltontownfaction,headedbyJohnMillerandsupportedbyDavidWarden’sestrangedbrotherJamesWarden,withwhomhefeudedfordecades.DavidWardenwantedCroobyartobecomethemaintownwhileMilton’sresidentswerejustaspassionateaboutpromotingtheirtownbygettinggovernmentinstitutionsestablishedthere.TheargumentoveraCroobyarvMiltonpublicschoolwentallthewaytotheNSWGovernor,whosensiblydeclinedtogetinvolved.FinallytheCouncilofEducationchoseMiltonastheplacewiththemostrapidpopulationgrowth.

MiltonPublicSchoolc.1900.MiltonNSW

Page 5: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

5

Theschool’soriginal‘rusticGothic-style’renderedsandstockbrickbuilding,designedbyGAMansfield,wasbuiltin1877-78,alongsideafour-roomedbrickresidencefortheappropriately-namedfirstschoolmaster,HenrySkillman.By1895theschoolhad183pupils.Amost-fearedheadmasteroftheearly1900s,WilliamJHealey(nicknamed‘Rufus’)wasnotoriousforhiscodeof‘sparetherodandspoilthechild’,regularlywieldingofa4footlongcanetodisciplinethechildren.Thankfullyverydifferentfromthesupportiveandinclusiveeducationalstyleoftoday’sschool.

InthegroundsoftheschoolisanoldtimberclassroommovedtothesitefromBroomanSchoolin1969andalsoaHenryKendallmemorialgardenbuiltin1966.CrossbackoverThomasStandwalkacrossMiltonMemorialParktothePrincesHighwayA7.MiltonMemorialParkandCenotaphThisparkwascreatedonthesiteofPickering’sA1CashStore,demolishedbyShoalhavenCouncilin1979.

Pickering’swasahandsometwo-storeymasonrybuildingwithlargeverandahanddecorativemetallace,builtbySamuelPickering,sonoftheWesleyanminister.

Thegraniteobelisk,dedicatedin1923isinscribedwithanhonourrollofthosefromtheMiltonwhoservedduringWW1andWW2,includingnurseSisterKittyPorter,awardedaRedCrossMedalin1919,CecilBaxtertheDistinguishedConductMedal(WW1),andMilitaryMedalstoWilliamBooth,WalterBishop,ThomasDuffy,William‘Jack’JonesandEdwardKing.

Pickering’sA1CashStoreoncestoodwheretheMiltonMemorialParkistoday

A8.64PrincesHighway–MiltonCourthouseAsMiltongrew,thelocalcourtwasmovedherefromUlladullain1877withitsfixturesandfittings,despitetheprotestsofthoseinUlladullawhodonatedthem.

The1870sbuildingwithapolicestationattherearwasdesignedbyColonialArchitectJamesBarnettbutsoonbecametoosmallforthecourtbusinessofagrowingtown,soanewcourthousewasdesignedbyWalterVernon.WhilethegovernmentinitiallyconsideredthecostforthisFederation-stylecourthousetobetoohigh,thishandsomebuildingwasfinallyconstructedinthemid-1890saftertheoriginalcourthouserooffellin.MiltonCourthouseisstillusedTuesdaytoThursdayfortheMiltonLocalCourt.

A9.66PrincesHighway–MiltonPostOfficeMilton’sfirstpostofficeopenedinJanuary1860aftervigorouspetitioningbyitswealthierresidents,whosawitasessentialforthenewtown’sfuture.

MiltonPostOfficesinglestoreyc.1900

Page 6: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

6

TheMiltonpostofficewasinvariouslocationsaroundthetownuntiltheoriginalsinglestoreybuildingonthissite,designedbyNSWGovernmentArchitectWLVernonandbuiltbyJamesPoolewasfinishedin1880.Ithadtwoporticossupportedbysquarecolumnsandahiproof.Renovationsin1895producedtheunusualhalfcirclewindowandagableroof,andthenthesecondstoreywasaddedin1904.

A10.74PrincesHighway–CommercialHotelThesinglestoreyCommercialHotelbuiltin1871wasreplacedwithahandsometwo-storeybuildingaround1888,withanupstairsverandahandhigh-qualityaccommodation.Theupstairsironbalustradingwasaddedin1919.

Unfortunately,unsympatheticmodernisationinthelate20thcenturyremovedtheverandahsandtheCommercialHotellostmuchofitsexternalcharm.

CommercialHotel,MiltonNSW.PeaceDaymarch,July1919

A11.82PrincesHighway–StarHotel

Theoriginalsingleleveltimber-slabStarHotelonthissitewasbuiltin1860byEdwardTyderman.AsecondstoreyadditionwithadecorativetimberverandahandimpressiveparapetwasaddedbyTomCork(arenownedtee-totaller)andhiswifeLouiseduringtheirownership1906-1924.

StarHotelMiltonNSW.c1910

Startingin1924,thefacadeoftheStarHotelhasbeenverymuchaltered,withanextensionatitssouthernend,windowsbricked-in,theremovalofthebalconyandverandah,andadditionofacantileveredawning.WalkbacktothepedestriancrossingtocrossthePrincesHighway,orviewthesebuildingsfromthis(eastern)side.A12.CornerofPrincesHighwayand39WasonSt–formerlyFaust’sNewsagencyJustalongWasonStfromitsnorth-westcornerisabuildingwithalargegablewhichwasthenewsagencyandconfectionarybusinessrunbytheFaustfamily.

Intheearly1900s,JMFaust’ssixacetylenelightson4.5metrepoleslitupthenearbyintersection.Thiswastoencouragenight-timeshopping,asFaust’sstayedopenuntil10pmandwasapopularvenueforaneveninggameofeuchre,withthelosersshoutingathreepennyhopbeerorhalfpennytoffeebarforthewinners.

SadlypatriarchJ.M.Faust’sGermanicoriginsgavethefamilyconsiderabledifficultyduringWW1–hisnamewasremovedfromtheelectoralroll,hispersonalbankaccountwasfrozenandasmallpercentageofthetownwereopenlyhostile.ThiswasdespitehimbeinganaturalisedAustraliancitizensince1892andtwoofhissonsservingintheAustraliannavy.Fortunately

Page 7: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

7

Faust,amanwhohadshowninmanywayshisloveforAustraliaandMilton,hadmanymorefriendsandsupportersthanopponentsinthetown,andhestoicallyenduredthisadversity,andremainedandprosperedinMilton.

Faust’sNewsagencyinWasonSt,MiltonNSW,late1930s.

A13.93-97PrincesHighway–TheSettlement‘TheSettlement’includesarowofVictorianmasonryshopsbuiltbyJohnKendallinthe1870s,usedastheAustralianJointStockBank(until1888),thenlaterasauctioneer’srooms(includingJFWallace)andnowasaclothingshop,PilgrimsVegetarianCafeandPeachCafe.Notetheoriginaldecorativerenderdetailingabovethewindowsanddoors.

AttherearofTheSettlement(accessedthroughashortarcadebetweenPeachCafeandWildIvyoranotherarcadefurtheronbesideBrownSugarCafe)areFrederickHall’sweatherboardshopandresidencec.1874(nowCountryLeather),soldtoHCBlackburnin1881andincorporatedintohisstoreandresidence.

A14.103PrincesHighway–formerBlackburn’s‘ThePopular’store(nowWildIvy,apple+arrow,andMiltonNewsagencyplusupstairsdesignandvintageshops)

HCBlackburnandSonsestablishedathrivingretailbusinessinMiltonknownasBlackburn’s‘ThePopular’Storefromthetown’searliestdays.In1899heupdatedhissmallshopandpostofficewithagrandquadruple-frontedtwo-storeyshop,includingabeautifulironlaceverandah.ThebrickswerehandmadelocallyintheMontgomeryBrickKilnonNarrawalleeCreek.Thestoresoldeverythingfromfreshfoodtofurnitureandfashion,andhardwaretohomewares.

HCBlackburn’s‘ThePopular’store,viewedfromthesouth,1911

MeetingunderBlackburn’soriginalverandah(nowremoved–itwasinfrontofofthecurrentMiltonnewsagent)soonbecamethetown’ssocialhub,especiallyduringSaturdaynightshopping.HCBlackburn,compulsivebeard-stroker,ownerofMilton’sfirstcarandfrequentextenderofcredittothosegoingthroughhardtimes–usedtoenjoystandingontheverandahandthrowinglolliesdowntothechildrenonEmpireDay.Theoriginalverandahwasdemolishedandthesuspendedverandaaddedinthe1950s.Blackburn’scontinuedthroughthreegenerationsbutwasclosedbyJohnBlackburnin1973andtheshopconvertedintomultipleuses.A15.107PrincesHighway–formerCBCBankBuilding(nowCoastcafeandSpeciallyGifted)Nowhostingshopsandcafes,thebeautifulItalianate-styleCommercialBankingCompanyofSydneybuildingwithitsdecorativeturretsandchimneypots,wasdesignedbyGAMansfieldanddatesfrom1875,withadditionsintheearly1900s.Forthefirsthalfofthe20thcenturyitwastheonlybankinthedistrict.

Page 8: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

8

CommercialBankingCompanyofSydneyinMiltonNSW,andmanager’sresidencec1910

TakeashortdetourthroughtotheVillageGreen,accessedalongsidetheoldbankbuilding.Enjoypanoramicviewstothewest,surroundedbycottage-styleshopsandseveralsignboardswithfurtherhistoricalinformationabouttheMiltondistrict.A16.111PrincesHighway–StPeterandStPaulAnglicanChurchJohnKendalldedicatedthefoundationstoneoftheGothic-revivalstyleChurchofStPeterandStPaulon21August1859,onlanddonatedbyJosephWhatmanofMyrtleFarm.Theoriginalchurchbuilding(thelongsectionwithatallarchedwindow)wasoneofMilton’searliestbuildings,builtbyJohnChandleandA.Bondin1860.Laypreachers,suchasThomasKendall,actedasclergymenintheearlyyearsasittooksometimeforthesmallcongregationtoattractaminister.Regularservicesbeganin1869.

AnglicanChurchofStPeterandStPaul,MiltonNSWoriginalbuilding,1890s

Theoriginalbuildinghadasteepleaddedinthelate1800sandwasextendedin1906-1907bybuildersMudgeandPoole,addingachancel,vestry,sanctuaryandorganchamberaswellasdecorativewindows.AsmallorganbuiltbyC.RichardsonandCoofSydneywasinstalledin1909(restoredin2012).

In1920,AliceKendallplantedtheChineseelm(Ulmusparvifolia)justinsidethefrontfence.TheweatherboardchurchhallbehindthechurchfrontingChurchSt,builtbyMudge,datesfrom1918.Therectory,whichstoodalongsidethechurchonthecorner,wasdemolishedinthe1960s.FromhereyoucanturnaroundandwalkbackalongthePrincesHighwaytofinishWalkAatWasonStandthecarpark,oryoucantaketheWalkCloopextensionOptionalWalkCloop(seepage9)-FromtheChurchofStPeterandStPaulyoucanaddthe1.8kmWalkCloopcontinuingsouthwardsalongthePrincesHighwaytoCroobyarRdthenbackviaWasonSttothecarpark.WalkBloop–a340mnorthernloopbetweenthecornerofMyrtleStandthePrincesHighway(StopA4onpage4)andtheWesleyanMethodistParsonage(stopA5onpage4)–adds340monalevelgrade.Someunpavedfootpath.FromthecornerofMyrtleSt(stopA4onpage4)continueonthesamesideofthehighwayfor150metrestoTimesPastB&BB1.51PrincesHighway–TimesPastB&BBuiltinabout1890thislate-Colonialstylebuildingwasthehomesteadofoneofthefirstdairyfarmsprovidingtownmilk.WalknextdoortotheHeritageFiginMickRyanPark.B2.49PrincesHighway–MickRyanReserveandtheHeritageFigThishugesmall-leafedfig(Ficusobliqua),withits40metre-widecanopyisadistricticonandlistedontheNationalRegisterofBigTrees.ProbablyeverychildborninMiltonhasclimbeditsmajesticlimbsorplayedhide-and-seekarounditsbuttressedtrunk.Localstoriessuggestaplantingdateduringthelate1820s.

Page 9: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

9

FromtheHeritageFigcrossthehighwayandwalksouthwardspastseveral1900-1920scottagesB3.CornerThomasStandPrincesHighwayMilton–WhatmanfamilycemeteryAlmosthiddenbetween56PrincesHighwayandtheformerWesleyanMethodistParsonageisasmalltriangleoflandwhicholdrecordsindicateistheburialplaceofJosephWhatman,originalownerofMyrtleFarm,boughtbyJohnBoothforhisMiltontownsubdivisionin1859.NowcontinueWalkA,themainstreetloopwalk,beginningat1ThomasSt,theWesleyanMethodistParsonage(stopA5onPage4)WalkCloop–an1800mextensionloopfromtheAnglicanChurchofStPeterandStPaul(stopA16onpage8)backtotheWasonStcarpark.Grass(unpaved)footpathsandsomemoderateslopes.NOTE–manyofthehistoricalbuildingsandsiteslistedhere,includingformerchurches,areonprivateproperty.Whiletheycanbeviewedfromthestreet,theyarenotopentothepublic,sopleaserespecttheprivacyofownersandoccupiers.FromtheChurchofStPeterandStPaul,continuesouthonthesamesideofthehighway(westside)for850metres.ThebuildingslistedareonbothsidesofthePrincesHighway,shownbyEorWontheirlistingC1.92PrincesHighway(E)–MiltonBakeryDatingfromtheearly1890s,thisrenderedVictoriantwo-storeycornerbuildingstillhasitsoriginalparapetbutitseleganttwo-storeyverandahhasbeenremoved.

Early1900s:thetwo-storeybuildingonthecornerofChurchSteastside(nowMiltonBakery)

Continuepastseveralcharmingearly20thcenturycottages,severalnowrepurposedasprofessionalroomsandmedicalclinicsC2.131PrincesHighway(W)–formerdoctor’ssurgeryanddispensary,nowpartofMiltonMedicalCentre

Miltonc.1880,lookingSEfromChurchSt.131PrincesHighwayMiltonvisibleinmiddledistance

AVictorian-period,Georgian-stylemasonryresidencewithasteeply-pitchedhippedslateroof,thishandsomebuildingwithitsdistinctivetwinmetalpostverandahappearsonsomeofMilton’searliestphotographs.DrNicholasFaustandChristianKoychen,apharmacist,setupapracticeherearound1874.C3.141PrincesHighway(W)–formerSalvationArmyHallBuiltaround1900anddonatedbyWilliamGarrad,thehallwasthecentreofSalvationArmyactivitiesformanydecades.The‘Sallies’bandofdrumsandtambourineswouldoftenmarchintotownonaSaturdaynightandplayloudlyoutsidethemainstreethotels.

Page 10: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

10

C4.122PrincesHighway(E–cornerGordonSt)–formerLighthousekeeper’scottage(nowLighthouseMedicalCentre)ReallypartofUlladulla’sheritageratherthanMilton’s,thelighthousekeeper’scottageassociatedwiththeWardenHeadlighthouseinUlladullawassoldin1922whenitbecamesuperfluousduetoautomationofthelighthouse.ItwasboughtbyMiltonauctioneerJohnBoagwhomovedithere.

WardenHeadLighthouseatUlladullaandlighthousekeeper’scottageinoriginallocationc.1910

C5.128PrincesHighway(E)–MasonicTempleFoundedin1878,Milton’sMasonicLodgeoriginallymetinthetown’sSchoolofArts.Thisbrickbuildingdatesfrom1923.

MasonicTempleMilton,NSW,in1924

C6.146PrincesHighway(E)ThisinterwarperiodhomeisaninterpretationofFederationstylebutwithfibrecementsheetingabovesillheight.ThebuildingislistedbytheNSWChapterofRAIAinitsRegisterofSignificantTwentiethCenturyArchitecture.

C7.150PrincesHighway(E)–‘Melrose’Setwellbackfromthehighway,‘Melrose’isaprettyGeorgian-stylefarmcottagewithhippedroofandfour-postverandah,builtinthe1880sfortheKendallfamily.

ContinuealongthePrincesHighwaytoCroobyarRdandcrossCroobyarRdtotheHeritageBakery.Ontheothersideofthehighway50malong(pasttheHeritageBakery)isatimberslabcottageat176PrincesHighway,thoughttobeoneofMilton’soldestbuildings.C8.201PrincesHighway–HeritageBakeryBuiltin1842andthenrepurposedasageneralstorebyAdamMcArthurin1870,thisclassicstonebuilding,originallybuiltintheGeorgianstylewithoutaverandah,ispossiblytheoldestcommercialbuildingintheShoalhaven.ItwasusedasatemporarystorebyHCBlackburnin1899whenrebuildinghisMiltonmainstreetshop,andhasalsobeenarestaurant.Itisnowabakery,famousforitspies.

HeritageBakeryMiltonNSW,in1899beingusedasHCBlackburn’stemporarystore

Page 11: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

11

CrossbackoverCroobyarRdandwalk100malongCroobyarRoadC9.10CroobyarRd–siteofAnglicanPioneercemeteryIn1859RogerSeccombedonatedthislandtoMilton’sChurchofEnglandofStPeterandStPaulasitsburialground.Althoughover170burialswererecordedhere,therewereonlyafewdozenheadstonesasmostfamiliescouldnotaffordanythingmorethanatimbercross.Thelastburialwasin1903,asbythattimethesitewasclearlyunsuitableasspringsflowedthroughittothenearbycreek.

ChurchofEngland‘Pioneer’Cemeteryat10CroobyarRoadMiltonNSW,April1976

Sadly,overathirdofthoseburiedherewerechildren–manyofthemdyingduringepidemicsofdiphtheria,scarletfeverandtyphoidin1875-76.Decadesofneglectandcattleroamingthesitedestroyedmostoftheheadstonesbutmanyfragmentsremainbelowtheground,revealedbyanarcheologicaldigin2011.Thecemeterywassoldtoprivateownersin1988.WalkalongCroobyarRdfor300metrestotheformerCongregationalChurch,crossingbothDruryLaneandGordonSt.NotethatDruryLaneisnamednotfortheoldnurseryrhyme,butfortheDruryfamilywhichranmostofthebullockteamsusedfordragging(snigging)cuttimberfromtheforeststothemills.C10.38CroobyarRd–formerCongregationalChurchandManseCongregationalservicesbeganin1872afterthechurchwasbuiltbystonemasonJamesPoolefromfirstclassrubblemasonrywithdressedquoinsandfacings,andwitheleganttimberjoinerybyJBMoore.Thishandsomevillagechurchalsohasdoubleglazedwindowswithcathedralglass,andaporchwhichwasaddedin1885byPoole’sson,WilliamPoole.ThesandstockbrickMansebehindthechurchwasbuiltin1875,tosavetheministerhis30milesofweeklytravelfromrentedaccommodation.Thechurch’sburialgroundisinthenearbylocalityofWoodstock.In1947,awildwintergaleblewoffmostoftheroofandcavedinpartofthewesternwallcausingextensivedamage.LuckilyJamesPoole’sgrandsonGeorgePoolewasavailabletocompletetherestoration.ThischurchbecameMilton’sUnitingChurchinthe1980showever,by2017,withthenumberoflocalworshippersfalling,servicesmovedtoUlladullaandthechurchwassoldtoprivateowners.WalkalongthenorthernsideofCroobyarRdtoWasonStandthencrossCroobyarRdtotheformerMethodistChurch.C11.71CroobyarRd–formerWesleyan(laterMethodistChurch)plusSarahClaydongraveThisbeautifulVictorianGothic-stylestonechurchbuiltfromcoursedrubblewallswithashlarquoins,wasdesignedbyColonelThomasRoweandopenedforservicesinJune1883onlanddonatedbyex-convictsHenryClaydonandWilliamJinks.Itreplacedanearliertimberbuilding,erectedin1856andextendedin1861.Thisstonechurchwasextendedintheearly20thcenturyandalsofeaturesaWW1commemorativestainedglasswindow.

WesleyanMethodistChurchCroobyarRdMiltonc.1890s

ItistheonlyMiltonChurchsurroundedbyitsparishgraveyardandcontainsthegraveoflocal‘angelofmercy’SarahClaydon,awomanwhodevotedherlifetothesickandneedyinherdistrict,particularlyasamidwife,andrefusedallpaymentforherservices.Herheadstonesays“Iwassick,andyevisitedme”.Thechurchwassoldtoprivateownersin1982afterservicesweremovedtotheUnitingChurch(formerlytheCongregational

Page 12: Walking Guide to Historic Milton NSW print version€¦ · Milton grew and prospered over the following century, becoming a thriving centre for the local industries of dairying, timber

12

Church).Thebuildingwasinternallyrenovatedasaprivatehomebutisnowusedasaweddingvenue.Itcanbeinspectedbyappointment.CrossbackoverCroobyarRdandwalknorthwardsupWasonStC12.69CroobyarRd–Mudge’sCornerandTurnbull’sAntiquesThelongshed(Turnbull’sAntiques)wasusedasacordialfactoryintheearly1900s.Cordialmakersmadeaerateddrinks,includinggingerbeerandlemonadeinthedaysbeforerefrigerationandinternationalcorporationslikeCokeandPepsi.Mudge’sworkshopsalsohousedabuildingcompany,ablacksmithandanundertakingbusiness.TheprettytimberFederationcottagefrontingWasonStdatesfrom1906.WalkupWasonStfor250metrestoseemanywell-preservedVictorian-eracottages.Buildingsareshownasbeingeitherontheeastern(E)orwestern(W)sideofWasonSt

C13.70WasonSt(E)Victorianweatherboardworker’scottage

C14.66WasonSt(E)Mid19thcenturytimberslabcottage,oneofMilton’soldestbuildings

C15.62WasonSt(E)LateVictorian-eraweatherboardcottage,renovated1920swithanart-decopressedmetalhallway

C16.73WasonSt(W)LateVictorianweatherboardcottage

C17.69WasonSt(W)–‘PriaulxVilla’BuiltbytheHamon-Pearcefamilyinthe1870sandnamedforRachelHamon’sGuernsey-bornfather,PierrePriaulx.

C18.54WasonSt(E)AGeorgian-styleVictorian-erabrickcottage

C19.63WasonSt(W)–nowMrsTopatMiltonB&BVictorianperiodworker’scottage

C20.61WasonSt(W,cornerCharlesSt)Victorianweatherboardcornerstore,usedbyJohnBollingmoreinthe1890sasagroceryanddraperyinand,by1905,WHLander,solicitor

C21.48WasonSt(E,cornerCharlesSt)–theKingHouse,nowLegacyHouseGeorgian-styleVictorian-eratwostoreybrickresidence,builtabout1875Fromhere,lookbackdownWasonSttocomparetodaywiththisearly1900sphoto…

WasonStMilton,lookingsouthfromCharlesSttoCroobyarRd.King(Legacy)Housenearleft,Mudge’sworkshopsendofWasonStrightside,andformerWesleyanMethodistChurchindistance

C22.42WasonSt(E)–Donovan’sCottageVictorian-eraweatherboardcottagebuiltin1870.WalkCfinisheswhereWalkAbegan,attheWasonStcarparkSourceandResourcesThebookslistedareavailableforreadinginShoalhavenLibrary,bothUlladullaandMiltonbranchesinthelocalstudiessection.Nulladolla–ahistoryoftheMilton-UlladullaDistrictbyMUHS,2013MeetthePioneersbyJoanneEwin,2004MemoirsofMollymook,MiltonandUlladullabyAlexMcAndrew,1990MiltonUlladullaHistoricalSocietyarchivesandphotographcollectionulladulla.info/historyaustralianhistoryresearch.infoHistoricMiltonWalkingGuide–MiltonPromotions