Saturday 20 November 2010

Sydney Open - The Judge's House


Built in the 1820s, this is Sydney's second oldest remaining house, after Cadman's Cottage down at Circular Quay. It was built for William Harper, who was a surveyor in the young colony. He left his post early due to ill-health wherupon the house was rented by Justice James Dowling, CJ of NSW. The current name dates from that time.


Originally, it was an extensive estate with home gardens and orchards, with a magnificent view down to the forests of Cockle Bay. Nowadays, it nestles on its very small block overwhelmed by buildings and roads of a bustling city.

11 comments:

Leif Hagen said...

Gosh is that a fancy Nancy mirror! I'd love one to hang over our fireplace!

Kay L. Davies said...

It's lovely, Julie, much more suited to a judge than a young surveyor, in my humble opinion. I must admit, however, I'm a little puzzled by the interior door in the last photo. Is the young man exceptionally tall or is the door very low?
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Gunn said...

I love the top photo!:)

Ann said...

I saw this one last time, its one of my favourite properties. I like the map, how did you do that?

Julie said...

Kay - I am the last person to ask that question of - everyone is extremely tall to me! My guess it is a bit of both: the fellow being tall and the door being the height of the 1820s when people with ordinary houses were shorter than they are now.

Ann - from Google Maps and on the RHS there are a number of options one of which is 'embed'. Would like to get rid of the bubble, but keep the red A. Shall work out how to do that by tomorrow ... I hope!

Anonymous said...

I can see how thick the walls are at the window. I don't think this house is going anywhere.

Jim said...

This is one that I don't know. I may have walked past it many times and not really noticed.

Julie said...

Jim - it is owened/occupied by a private company who keep it maintained as one would hope. And, yes, very easy to walk past, as it is discretely sign-posted.

Rinkly Rimes said...

Next time I visit Sydney I'll just HAVE to peruse all your old blogs first! You're better than the best guide-book!

magicpolaroid said...

this is a lovely ambients!

Joan Elizabeth said...

When I lived in that part of the city I often walked past the building and thought it lovely that the little old building had been preserved. It would have been fun to go inside.