by Cathy Jones
41 Homebush Road Strathfield (also known as 104 Albert Road) is a two storey red brick house with a hipped tile roof. The house was designed to accommodate a doctor’s surgery with a residence and features separate entries. The house occupies a prominent site at the intersection of Homebush and Albert Roads.
The house is located on the original 1793 Thomas Rose land grant. This land came into the ownership of James R. Powell, a descendent of another original land grantee Edward Powell. Part of Powell’s land, fronting Homebush Road, was acquired by tobacco merchant George Todman. Todman built a mansion called ‘Milroy’, which fronted Albert Road and parts of Homebush Road. ‘Milroy’ was demolished in 1929 and the estate was subdivided in the early 1930s, creating the lots that houses at 37, 39 and 41 Homebush Road are built upon.
Dr Arnold Evans acquired Lot 1 on 28 November 1934. In 1935, a house was built on the site at 41 Homebush Road. The house was a two storey brick dwelling of ten rooms and offices at an estimated cost of £2000. The architect was Ian B. Fell, who let a contract to master builder Sidney Skinner, Chalmers Rd Strathfield. Approval to build was granted on February 19 1935.
Dr Evans is listed in Wise’s Commercial Directory of Strathfield 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1950 as conducting a medical practice from this house with 1950 being the final edition. Evans is the continuous owner until 1973, when ownership transferred to his widow Winifred Evans. Ownership transferred to Anton Rucker, camera technician and Rosa Rucker, his wife in June 1973. In June 1976, ownership transferred to Anthony Reasha, real estate agent and Violet Reascha. It has since changed owners.
References
Fox & Associates, Strathfield Heritage Study, 1986
Department of Valuer-General, Valuation Lists, Municipality of Strathfield 1957, 1960
NSW Land Register, Certificate of Title v.4682 f.84
Strathfield Council Building Register Vol.3
Tenders Accepted or Received (1935, February 27). Construction and Real Estate Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1930 – 1938), p. 10. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222915585
Wise’s Commercial Directory of Strathfield 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1950
