By Cathy Jones 2026
‘Dunnottar’ 31 Homebush Road Strathfield was built in 1955 on land created by a 1951 subdivision of the grounds of ‘Huntingtower’ 33-35 Homebush Road Strathfield.
‘Dunnottar’ is situated on the original Thomas Rose land grant of 1793. The land passed to Edward Powell and by the 1880’s the land was generally owned by William Russell. In October 1888, six acres in the northern part of Russell’s land was acquired by the President and Fellows of Camden Congregational College, with the intention of building a theological college in Strathfield. An additional five perches fronting Homebush Road was added from the Frederick Meredith 1793 grant, thereby the land fronted Albert Road, Homebush Road and Beresford Road. In response to 1890s economic depression, the College decided to subdivide the land into lots and offer it for sale in 1898. This subdivision created residential lots in Albert Rd (65-103 Albert Rd), Homebush Rd (25-39 Homebush Rd) and parts of Beresford Rd.
‘Huntingtower’ 33-35 Homebush Road was built c.1900 for William Fehon, Commissioner of NSW Railways from 1888 to 1907, and his wife Anne. By 1951, the house was owned by Pan Pty Ltd.
In 1951, part of the grounds of the house were subdivided, creating a lot which was sold to builder George Ikin in 1954. This lot was originally numbered 21B Homebush Road but renumbered 31 in 1960.
Ikin lodged a building application in 1954 to Strathfield Council. The house was designed by architects Curtin & Cameron and built by Ikin. Ikin was a prolific builder in the Strathfield area in this period. The house was designed as a brick dwelling consisting of 6 rooms & offices and garages at the estimated cost of ₤6000.
After the completion of the house in 1955, it was sold by Ikin to William Christie, watchmaker, Peter Christie, Optometrist, Mary Christie and Magdalina Christie of Strathfield in September 1955. The house was named ‘Dunnotter’. In July 1962, ownership was transferred to Dr John Spurway, medical practitioner.
References
Department of Valuer-General, Municipality of Strathfield, Valuation Lists
NSW Land Registry
Strathfield Council Building Application Register
