Francis Curnow arrived in Brisbane in March 1860 at the age of twenty and went to work as a clerk at Cribb and Foote in Ipswich, before becoming a pay clerk for the Roads Department. From there he moved to the Railway Department, eventually becoming chief clerk of the railways. This job brought him to Brisbane in 1877 and he purchased from James Gibbon an allotment near the site of Roma St railway station on which to build a house. This is the house, known then as Hellesvere.
Francis Curnow went on to become Queensland's third commissioner for railways, retiring in 1889. Tragically he lost a twenty year-old son who drowned in a "swimming baths" in 1900, and Francis himself died in 1901. The house remained in the Curnow family until 1909.
In the 1930s Hellesvere was purchased by a Mrs Curtis who renamed the residence Eton and operated it as a boarding house.
The building is still called Eton, and operates now as a bed and breakfast venue in the heart of Brisbane's backpackers accommodation quarter.
Click here for a Google Map.
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I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog, you portray our Brisbane beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see my great-grandfather's home still in use and in such good condition. He would be amazed to see the transformation of his neighbourhood into part of the CBD. Alas, his river views have been built out.
ReplyDeleteWho knows if you are still on this email, but in case you are...I would love to purchase your great-grandfather's house. I am however keen to see if there are images of it available. If I were to purchase it, because of its heritage listing, there is an obligation to preserve what is historically significant. Sadly over time it looks like not a lot is really authentic. Images would help. Do you, or your family have any that would be available? Regards, David Turnbull aarkatekt@gmail.com
DeleteAlthough the surrounding buildings are somewhat different than back when your great-grandfather's day, his house still holds its own.
ReplyDeleteI think it is beautiful.
Thanks for your comment.
This is a beautiful home, but it has architectural elements that make it different from 1870s houses in Victoria. So either Brisbane had its own architecture elements or a later family added the attic window, the columns in the front etc.
ReplyDelete