| Address: | 27 Ocean Beach Rd |
|---|---|
| Suburb: | Sorrento |
This streetscape of shops and commercial premises with residences over gives us an idea of the scale of the Sorrento township in the first decade of the 20th century. The original Whitehouse guesthouse, built 1906, briefly occupied the centre site before being destroyed by fire just two years later. The double story limestone buildings eitherside of the Whitehouse were built by William Joseph Croad. Featuring redbrick quoining and window detailing they are similar in typology to the now demolished Ophir Guest House. Details vary to create interesting facades to the main street, while scale is kept consistent to form a family of buildings. In this way designs can be unique while respecting the neighbours and the overall precinct.
General Grocery Store, built 1903 by William Joseph Croad: ca. unknown ----- Significant Edwardian tuck point limestone shop and residence. Displays Federation influences with red brick quoins and window dressings. 1908 saw the shop become Sullivan’s Bakery. Image courtesy of the State Library of Victoria and John T. Collins, Photographer.
White House Boarding Establishment, 1906: ca. 1906-1908 ----- White House, centre, was built 1906, destroyed by fire just two years later. Image courtesy of the Nepean Historical SocietyInc. (NHS).
“Fire at Sorrento” - The Argus Tuesday 7th April 1908.
Former White House: ca. 1970s ----- Building on the right illustrates a subsequent development since the fire that claimed the Whitehouse. Image courtesy of the Nepean Historical Society Inc. (NHS).
Former White House: ca. 1970s ----- Left, (re)built 1911 as a pharmacist’s shop and residence, this limestone building has some resemblance to its forbearer (minus verandah). The roof gables at the hip ridges make for an interesting accent. Right, built in 1905 by William Joseph Croad and rebuilt in 1908 after extensive fire damage, this shop and residence was for the Wilson family butchers. Image courtesy of the Nepean Historical Society Inc. (NHS).
Streetscape: 2013.
Clark Bros. Butcher’s Shop: Date unknown ----- Formerly located to the right of Wilson’s family butcher, Clark Bros was run by Edward and Jack Clark during the 1890s and 1900s. Image courtesy of the Nepean Historical Society Inc. (NHS).
