THOMAS SMITH'S HOUSE ‐ 16 HAROLD ST.
Information courtesy of Ian Elliot.
Swan Location 754 was the second block to be surveyed in what is now the townsite of Glen Forrest, the first being Swan Location 383 of 50 acres, which was surveyed for William Munday by Assistant Surveyor Charles Evans in 1863.
754 took in the area now bounded by William St, Harold St, Burkinshaw Rd, Tillbrook St and Bilgoman Road and contained 40 acres.
It was surveyed by Alexander Forrest for Alfred Charles Smith, a farmer from York, in July 1877.
Forrest noted in his fieldbook that Smith's house was already built at that time. Nothing now remains of that mud brick building.
Smith built a steam powered sawmill just south west of his house, overlooking Nyaania Creek and commenced timber cutting.
The sawn timber was probably carted by horse and dray, via the York Road (which is known to have been in use since 1832), to Guildford where both rail and river transport was available.
In August 1882, Swan Location 903, of 40 acres, was surveyed for G.W. Smith by F.S. Brockman. This is property at the end of Hawter Rd.
In the following year nearly 5 acres was resumed from Location 754, to enable the Eastern Railway to be built, running through the property and linking Guildford with Chidlows Well and, ultimately, York.
The line was opened in March 1884 and in August of that year, ownership of the remaining land was transferred to Smith's son, Thomas Richard Smith, whose occupation was given as 'Timber Merchant'.
That Thomas Smith's house, on the north bank of Nyaania Creek, was built prior to 1890, is proved by its inclusion on a Lands Dept. plan of that time.
All other buildings shown on this plan are no longer standing which makes this house the oldest dwelling in Glen Forrest.
Alfred Charles Smith (father).
Courtesy: Ian Elliot.
Thomas Richard Smith (son)
Courtesy: Ian Elliot.
© Copyright Rob Borsje, Lyn Myles, Mary Richmond and attributed sourcess.