Bungalow and Canary Island date palm

140 North Road, Langwarrin

Citation:

History
The present bungalow-style house probably dates from about 1923 when William Aisbett, farmer, was rated for a building valued at £25 on a five acre block, pad of Crown Allotment 52A, Parish of Langwarrin.1 The site was originally part of an 84 acre allotment owned by Richard J. Clark in 1891. Clark also owned the adjacent Allotments 49 and 52B.2

Description
This typical Californian Bungalow-style house, with its stained timber shingles to the gables, is set in dense native and exotic garden with a mature and probably contemporary Canary Island date palm to east in open pasture.

The garden around the house contains some plantings more typical of late nineteenth century as well as those which relate to the 1920s (as visible from the road). These include 'Buddleja sp.', coprosma and a tea tree hedge which obscures the house from view. There are two oaks, 'Quercus sp' at the side of the house which may relate to an earlier drive.

Condition
The house appears particularly well preserved, particularly given the survival of the stained finish.

Context
Adjoins recent subdivision on the west and open pasture on the east, thus still retaining its farming setting.

Significance
This property has local historical significance as a particularly well-preserved example of the lifestyle, as represented by a house and garden, of district farmers during the early decades of this century. This is reinforced by some of the garden elements and the adjacent Canary Island date palm which is a signature tree of the era. Farm houses from this era are now rare in the City and those which survive are frequently changed.

Boundaries
Extent of current allotment, including the front garden, fence and house and the Canary Island date palm, land within 10m radius of its trunk, and the public view to it.