Green Gables

10 Palm Court, Frankston

History
Leslie Arthur Vail of Post Office Place, Melbourne, sold lots 17, 18, 19, part 39 on Palm Court, to the Barca Family early this century. Barca Barca of Bridge Road, Richmond, purchased Lot 19, Antonia Barca of Victoria Street, Richmond, purchased Lot 17, and Peppino Barca of the same address purchased Lot 18 while also owning Lot 16 with Felix Barca.1

A residence was erected on Lot 17 (8 Palm Court) in 1912 for Antonia Barca, who continued to own the property until 1920.2 Peppino owned Lot 18 until, in 1919, Antonia E. Barca, then of Nicholson Street, North Carlton, was named as the owner of Lots 17 and 18.3 Antonia Barca was a fruitier owning fruit shops in Nicholson Street, North Carlton, and in North Fitzroy.4

This house was built for Felix and Peppino on Lot 16 (10 Palm Court) by 1915-16.5 This was also sold, c1920, to Milner McMasters of Frankston.6 The site was sold again five years later, to Dr. John Fleming, of Essendon, and again in c1928 to William Richards, of Frankston.7 Richards stayed there until 1941, then Sam & Edith Smith bought it, but again the ownership changed in 1946-47, going to M.H. Moyes.8 A later owner was Mrs. Anna Grotski. Mr. and Mrs. Horne have owned the property since 1972.

Description
Almost having the appearance of a rural government school, the weatherboard house is distinctive within its surroundings, given its two-story sharply gabled form. Shingling is used in the original gables (timber shingles replacing the original Malthoid type), surrounding louvered roof vents, and the finals (replacements?) survive at the gable apices. The Gould Street frontage has a masonry one-storey parapet wall which provides another unusual aspect to the design. The entrance porch is supported by fluted cement piers, inspired by the Greek revival, which are joined to swagged brick balustrading (painted). Above the porch is a small balcony with slatted timber balustrading (altered in detail).

External Integrity
Generally original, except for an added but empathetic attic dormer. The colours are related to the construction date.

Context
Sited on a corner and two-storey, the house is prominent within what is a generally much later context. However, by coincidence or otherwise, the house is close to other early individually notable houses in the Long Island area, (8 and 1A Palm Court).

Significance – Study Grading C
Architecturally, the house is significant to Frankston because it has a form and detailing which are distinctive although, judged on a regional or statewide basis, the site is representative only of its construction date: of the regional interest and local importance.

Historically, the brief but vital connection with the Barca fruitier family may be a link with the adjacent fruit-growing areas on the peninsula and provided one of the few early beach houses known to have been built for either Italians or orchardists.