Clydesdale


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Photograph (c) Blacktown & District Historical Society

Oldest part of the homestead built 1820, subsequent additions date up to 1900. Located Richmond Road, Marsden Park.
Clydesdale, 1995
  © Blacktown City Council

Site consists of "Clydesdale", farmers cottages & a barn and is on the southern side of Richmond Road, between Marsden Park and Berkshire Park.

Originally part of a grant to William Lang in 1813. Lang died in 1816 and the land sold at auction to Charles Tompson in 1818/1819. At the time the estate comprised 700 acres, which he expanded to 865 acres by purchasing two neighbouring farms. The exact date of the oldest part of "Clydesdale" is unknown, however there was a homestead there as early as 1822 (which was incorporated into the present home). By 1827 there was a Georgian-style brick two-storey dwelling, valued at £600. Today the homestead is square in shape and has a hipped slate roof and a verandah on three sides.

In the 1840's Tompson encountered financial trouble and in 1850 lost "Clydesdale". In 1851 it was bought by the Lamb family and in 1859 it became a Marist seminary for training South Sea Islanders. Isolation and a severe flood in 1867 lead to the Marist's selling the property to the Hassall family by 1870, who also owned an adjoining property. From 1870 to 1935 the property was owned by a string of owners, including briefly the then Mayor of Sydney, John Hardie, who bought "Clydesdale" as a country retreat in 1884. In the late 1890's the property was bought by Joseph Earnest James, who's family retained ownership until after WW2. In 1932 the property was split by the construction of Richmond Road, with the southern, larger part, retaining the name. In 1935 "Clydesdale" became the centre of a flourishing dairy farm and in 1961 it was aquired by Associated Dairies, it's present owner. From 1924-1945 the homestead was commandeered by the RAAF as a convalescent home. The family stayed on the property during much of its use by the Airforce. The cedar bannisters had initials carved in them from certain recuperating pilots who had too little to occupy them. It is currently unoccupied, although privately owned.

The there was an old tunnel linking the homestead and stables, apparently designed to provide a lit covered walkway to the stables in case of rain. The tunnel still existed as late as 1928-1935. Given the propensity of the area to flood, one wonders how effective it was. During the early 1930's the tunnel was covered with lavender and white wisteria on a pergola.


Sources:
"When the Country Became the City Blacktown", 1996, Blacktown & District Historical Society
NSW Heritage Office Website, http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au
Personal Correspondence, Julian Barden, 21/5/2006.