by Cathy Jones
‘Wawona’ is located at 96 Albyn Road Strathfield on the corner of Chalmers Road. The house is a Californian Bungalow built in 1916. It is described as a:
A single storey brick and rendered brick house features expansive slate hip roof with terra cotta cresting and finials. Other elements include a large return verandah, rendered rectangular chimneys with terra cotta pots and a rendered and timbered gable with a bay window. The garden includes fine remnants of the early garden including palms, gravel driveway, brick fence, wrought iron gates and central bedding of roses. This well maintained Californian bungalow is of State significance for its architectural qualities and setting (Strathfield Council Heritage Statement of Significance 1986).
‘Wawona’ is classified by the National Trust and is a heritage item on the Strathfield Local Environmental Plan. This house is sometimes referred to as ‘Arnott House’.
The land on which “Wawona” was built formed part of a crown grant of 570 acres to James Wilshire in 1810, which was later subdivided in 1867 as the “Redmire Estate”. Land including Victoria Street and parts of Albyn Road was owned by Thomas Henderson who owned and operated ‘Seven Oaks Farm’. Title was transferred to his son Charles Alfred Henderson and in 1913, the land transferred to Thomas Riley.
Riley subdivided these between 1914 and 1915, selling Lots 43 and 44 to Percival Sinclair Arnott (subject to a covenant) on 25th January 1914. The covenant required that any main building erected upon any portion of the subdivision shall be built in brick or stone or both and shall cost more than five hundred pounds. Each lot was 100ft wide and 364ft 11 ¾ inches long.
This house was approved for construction in June 1915 for Percy Arnott, a director of Arnott’s Biscuits. The house is in a bungalow style and was designed by architect Herbert Dennis and the builder was E Ayles, Essex Street, Epping. The estimated value of the construction was £2370. This house was featured in The Salon in June 1916.
Dennis was also responsible the design of ‘Halcyon’ 110-112 Homebush Road Strathfield in 1916 for Manager of Arnott’s Biscuits, Harrie Greenland.
‘Wawona’ is classified by the National Trust and heritage listed by Strathfield Council. This house is sometimes referred to as ‘Arnott House’. This house is one of a number of homes owned by the Arnott’s family, who owned and operated the Arnott’s Biscuits Factory at Homebush.
Percival Sinclair Arnott (1889-1950) was the grandson of Arnott’s Biscuit founder William Arnott and his second wife Monica Sinclair. Arnott had children from his two marriages and most of the male children worked in the expanding Arnott’s Biscuit business. Samuel Sinclair Arnott (1861-1934) was Arnott’s second son and was the father of Percival Arnott. He moved to Sydney with family when the factory was relocated from Newcastle to Homebush on 1908 and was Managing Director of Arnott’s Biscuits. Like his son Percy, Samuel Arnott had interests in sport, horse-breeding and sailing. Percy Arnott worked in the family run Arnott’s Biscuit business at Homebush. He was also a formidable sportsman, a well-known golfer and a member of the Australian Cricket Team which toured the United States in 1913. He was a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and the Prince Alfred Yacht Club. He was captain and president of Concord Golf Club.
Percy Arnott married Nina Boden (1890-1976) in 1915 and lived at ‘Wawona’ until his death in 1950. The couple had four daughters. Following Arnott’s death in 1950, ownership of the house was held by the executors of Arnott’s estate, Nina Eleanor Arnott, Nea Sinclair Dawson and Valmai Sinclair Pratten until its sale and transfer in February 1952 to Stanley Wilson, wholesale chemist of Strathfield. In 1978, the property transferred to Colin Bova and his wife Patricia as joint tenants.
This house is one of a number of homes owned by the Arnott’s family, who owned and operated the Arnott’s Biscuits Factory at Homebush.
References
Fox & Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986
‘The Salon’ Vol.7 June 1916
Sands Sydney and Suburban Directory
Strathfield Council Building register Vol. 1 (1912-1920) and Vol.2 (1920-24)
OBITUARY. (1934, October 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 16. Retrieved May 15, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17112500 (Samuel Arnott death)
PHLOX AND PETUNIAS GAY DISPLAY (1937, October 21). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954), p. 29 (LAST FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved May 15, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229444650
