MITCHELL'S HOMESTEAD

14-52 KNEES ROAD PARK ORCHARDS, MANNINGHAM CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    MITCHELL'S HOMESTEAD - History

    Heritage Inventory History of Site: Probably from about 1905 - orchard planted by James A Mitchell. House probably built about 1908. Mitchell left about 1925. House then occupied by several occupants and orchard left neglected. House burned down in 1960s. Reserve bought by Council in 1978 and some "cleaning up" of homestead site resulted in "rubbish" and soil being bulldozed down slope. Reserve has been allowed to reestablish natural vegetation and orchard rows now devoid of fruit trees - only indigenous.
    

    Interpretation of Site

    MITCHELL'S HOMESTEAD - Interpretation of Site

    Heritage Inventory Interpretation: Although original Section 19B bought /leased in 1872 by Mark Marks and later Thomas Kendall, no clear evidence on the site of this period. Furhter subdivision and land clearance on part of section 19B created a 100 acre block on which James Mitchell created orchard and built house. House was hand sawn palings, iron roof, brick chimney, 4 rooms, verandah on south fron and garden, according to Murray Bouchier, local informant. Little of this (only materials) can be seen in the archaeological remains. No foundations seen during clearing of vegetation.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    MITCHELL'S HOMESTEAD - Heritage Inventory Description

    Ruins of homestead dating to about 1908, built by James A Mitchell, orchardist. Site consists of brick & stone rubble from house site, a small cistern, a longer cistern all within original cleared area in which orchard rows (no trees) remain. 2 or 3 individual exotic trees and plants. Some oral testimony and documentation.

    Heritage Inventory Significance: LocalAssociated with regional orchard industry, prominent orchardist Tom Pelty, special association with local residents who fought to keep the reserve, evidence of several cultural phases, activities.

    Heritage Inventory Site Features: Homestead site (5x6m) bricks, metal, glass, china. Cisterns x 2, one with house, larger one probably with now absent fruit packing shed, old orchard rows (5m appart to north) remaining, isolated fruit trees, dumps of soil and refuse from homestead site x6+. Pine tree stumps x2, at entry to original yard. Elsewhere 4 dams, pine windbreaks. House site rubble (5.6m), glass, metal fragments, brickpieces, stones. Small, stone lined cistern, 1m in diameter, filled, large cistern, 4m, filled partly. Orchard rows 110x160m, occasional fruit trees, exotic plants, remains stumps of 2 sentinal pine trees. Bricks = Morthcote & ATT Mitchell.

    Archeological Potential: Potential (area)

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