by Cathy Jones 2023
‘Lanreath’ The Boulevarde Strathfield was built in 1902 for flour miller Francis Crago (1848-1907) and his wife Mary Anne (née Colvin) (1853-1934). This grand Federation mansion was demolished and the property subdivided into 19 lots and sold in 1935. It would appear that until its demolition that the only occupants of ‘Lanreath’ were members of the Crago family. The Crago family were members of the Congregational Church and connected to a number of well known business and Strathfield and Burwood identities including the Hoskins and Loveridge families.
Francis Crago died suddenly in 1907, though his widow Mary continued to live at ‘Lanreath’ until her death in 1934. His obituary published in the Sydney Morning Herald on December 4 1907 states:
Mr Francis Crago, one of the leading millers of the State, died very suddenly yesterday at Lanreath, the Boulevarde Strathfield, in his 60th year. Born at Liskeard, Cornwall, Mr Crago came to Sydney 42 years ago. His first position of importance was as manager for Barber’s mill at Yass. He afterwards engaged in the same business at Branxton and went to Singleton in 1882. Success attended his efforts, for he was a keen judge of wheat, and his name in trade was that of an honourable and reliable man. In 1882 he started in Bathurst, and in 1898 he commenced building the Federal Mills, Newtown, whose work since has been carried on, as in Bathurst, with a modern plant. While in Bathurst the late Mr Crago was for two years Mayor of the city, and he had several years’ work as an alderman to his credit. He was for many years president of the New South Wales Millers’ Association, and recently its hon. treasurer.
In his early days flour was made with the old stone mills but as science improved the machinery employed in flour-making. Mr Crago installed whatever was new, provided it made for economy, cleanliness and efficiency. Both his Newtown and Bathurst mills were provided with the up-to-date Henry Simons milling plant. It was in 1888 that Mr Crago made the first great change into the modern roller-milling principle in his establishments. The deceased gentleman took great interest in his garden, and was working in it on Monday evening. He had made arrangements to visit Bathurst yesterday in connection with the Western Millers’ Association. He leaves a widow, five sons, and four daughters, one of whom is Mrs. A. Hobson, of Strathfield. The cause of death was heart failure.
Following Mary Anne Crago’s death in 1934, a tender issued in February 1935 by agents Hardie and Gorman to demolish the house. The subdivided estate was offered for sale as the ‘Lanreath Estate’ by September 1935.
Reference
‘Death of Mr. Francis Crago’ (1907 December 4). Sydney Morning Herald, p8
Advertising (1935, February 20). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 19. Retrieved September 24, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17171869
Advertising (1935, May 18). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 – 1954), p. 15. Retrieved September 23, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246469499
Lanreath The Boulevarde Strathfield. Photograph courtesy of Northern Beaches Council Library Local Studies.
Strathfield Heritage 