FORMER CROYDON STATION MASTER’S RESIDENCE

63 WICKLOW AVENUE CROYDON, MAROONDAH CITY

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    FORMER CROYDON STATION MASTER’S RESIDENCE - History

    Croydon, initially known as White Flats, was recognised as a tourist destination and a stopping point for those travelling to the Dandenong Ranges, from the late 19th century (Peterson and Barrett 2003). The opening of the railway saw businesses in the suburb shift from their original settlement to adjacent to the railway station. (Peterson and Barrett 2003: 40). Croydon benefitted from the rail line running from the city to Lilydale, with the electrification of the line in the mid-1920s further accelerating population growth in the area. The station at Croydon also continued to help facilitate the influx of tourists, transferring passengers from the station to Mount Dandenong, Montrose, and Wonga Park. Although electrification saw vast improvements, the area was still considered somewhat rural, with Maroondah City falling outside the 1920s MMBW sewage installation, not being connected until 1964 (Peterson and Barrett 2003). The Croydon Station Master’s Residence, also known as Department Residence 3393, is situated on Wicklow Avenue, northwest of the station and rail line. Its footprint is within the current rail land parcel connected to Croydon station. The residence is not seen on the 1925 Victorian Railways plan, but is labelled on the 1940 Victorian Railway plan of the station (DOT DMS) and is seen on aerial images from 1945 (Department of Lands and Survey) and 1962 (PROV) (Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6). It is no longer visible on the 1978 aerial image of the station (LANDATA) (Figure 7). It is now covered by the north carpark of Croydon station.

    Interpretation of Site

    FORMER CROYDON STATION MASTER’S RESIDENCE - Interpretation of Site

    Construction of the Station Master’s Residence is placed between the late 1920s and 1940 and has the potential to provide information on past activity associated with Croydon Railway Station. The Station Master was responsible for the daily operation of the station, overseeing ticketing, public relations, and maintenance, which kept the line operational to and from Melbourne to the burgeoning suburbs. Specifically for Croydon, the Station Master also managed the local post office when the line first opened (Maroondah City Council 2021). The level of impact to the feature is considered to be moderate as the creation of the carpark potentially preserved foundations and occupational remains of the existing structure, which is now entirely covered by asphalt. Aerial imagery from the mid-20th century to the present day also suggests that minimal changes have been made to this section of the carpark, with the growth of some trees noted. The archaeological potential of the site is also considered to be moderate given the likelihood that the carpark persevered, in some part, this site. According to Heritage Victoria’s Policy for Determining Low Archaeological Value 2020, pursuant to s. 118(1)(a) of the Heritage Act 2017, for an archaeological site to have more than low archaeological value, and be approved for inclusion in the inventory, it must address both Threshold A and Threshold B: Threshold A (archaeology): • the place meets the definition of archaeological site under the Act; and • it can be demonstrated that the site contains archaeological features, associated artefacts and/or deposits; and/or • documentary evidence and/or oral history, landscape features, visible site fabric or other information indicates a likelihood that the site contains archaeological remains; and • the archaeological remains are, or are likely to be, in a condition that will allow information to be obtained that will contribute to an understanding of the site;and Threshold B (place history) • the site evidences (or is likely to evidence) an association with a historical event, phase, period, process, function, tradition, movement, custom or way of life; and • the site history is of significance within a state, regional, local, thematic or other relevant framework. The Station Masters Residence has been assessed against this criteria and is considered to meet both Thresholds A and B (Table 1).

    Heritage Inventory Description

    FORMER CROYDON STATION MASTER’S RESIDENCE - Heritage Inventory Description

    Croydon Station Master’s Residence is situated on Wicklow Avenue, northwest of the station and rail line between Glenora Avenue and Alto Avenue (Figure 1). This irregular-shaped property contained a house to the east and an outbuilding to the west. Currently, the site is part of an asphalted carpark with landscaping and two trees (Figure 2).
• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places

  • 
    RULES OF THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H2428
  • NORTH MELBOURNE POTTERY

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
  • STONY CREEK SLIPWAY

    

    Victorian Heritage Inventory
• Public contributions