Historical Trail Bro ART:MHWT 11/8/08 12:51 PM Page 1 Mentone Historical walking Trail Mentone Historical walking Trail map overleaf This publication has been compiled and published by the City of Kingston, PO Box 1000 Mentone Vic 3195. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bryce Rayworth Pty Ltd 2003, City of Kingston Heritage Study, Vic Leo Gamble 2003, Mentone Through the Years, Mentone, Vic. Graham Whitehead, (ed) Kingston Historical Website, www.localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au Margaret Bennett 1996, A Heritage Tour of Mentone, City of Mordialloc Historical Society, Vic. SPECIAL THANKS TO: The City of Kingston, Mordialloc & District Historical Society, Friends of Mentone Station & Gardens, Mentone Chamber of Commerce, Connex, Heritage Victoria and to all those who have kindly permitted their property to be included in the trail and provided information. CONTRIBUTORS: Mentone Historical Trail Steering Committee: Cnr Bill Nixon, Veronica Hahn, Margaret Hunter, Dorothy Booth, Rosa Zouzoulas, Trish Smyth, Catherine Rinaudo. Jennifer Pratt (text & editing), Graham Whitehead (City Historian), Leo Gamble (Historian), Graphic Partners Australia (Design), Scribblers & Writers Pty Ltd (text) www.localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au Historical Trail Bro ART:MHWT 11/8/08 12:51 PM Page 2 Mentone – the fashionable resort The Mentone Historical Walking Trail is intended to be an introduction to the rich history of Mentone, celebrating both its charming architecture and enduring village character. Mentone Station & Gardens MAP REF: 1 Unlike other towns which grew from pioneer settlements, ESTABLISHED 1881 – Classified Heritage Victoria 2007 Mentone was founded during the prosperous land-boom of the 1880s. The railway line was first extended to Mentone in 1881. Corner of At the time, it was known as Como Parade West and Balcombe Road Station. Balcombe Road, Mentone In 1914, a devastating fire destroyed the platform structures located on Como Parade. In its stead, this simple but attractive weatherboard Developer, Sir Matthew Davies, envisaged the town as a building was erected. stylish new Riviera. Embracing Mediterranean themes, Featuring simply adorned the concept unfolded with Italian street names and gable–style roofing and extravagant buildings. The most impressive of these decorative timber trim, it is a was the luxurious Mentone Coffee Palace, which is well-preserved example of an now Kilbreda College. Edwardian station. Styled as a ‘salubrious’ destination, holiday-makers flocked to the town to enjoy its hot sea baths and The gardens date back to 1910 prestigious racecourse. and include a stunning Norfolk Island Pine, Peppercorn and PHOTOS Although the boom period was short-lived, Mentone Palm trees. In 1990 a (top) View of the station was endowed with a lasting architectural legacy, which commemorative horse trough from Kilbreda tower, 1928 was complimented by the classic Edwardian styles of was relocated to the gardens Image courtesy of the later development. in honour of ‘Garryowen’, the champion race horse, and his Mordialloc & District Historical Map located at the back of this brochure. courageous owners who Society attempted to rescue him from (below) Mentone Station a burning stable. today Photos: (L) Mentone Hot Sea Baths 1907, (R) Kilbreda College 1906 Image courtesy of the Mordialloc & District Historical Society Historical Trail Bro ART:MHWT 11/8/08 12:51 PM Page 4 MAP REF: MAP REF: Mentone’s Triangle 2 Kilbreda College 3 FORMERLY SMALL & EDWARDS REAL ESTATE – Built 1906 THE MENTONE COFFEE PALACE – Built 1887 This triangular piece of land The Mentone Coffee Palace was once a picturesque 48 Como Parade West, marked the pinnacle of Sir 118 Mentone Parade, garden, designed to enhance Mentone Mathew Davies’ grand vision of Mentone the grand entrance to the Mentone. Featuring an imposing Mentone Coffee Palace (now Corners Mentone Parade, spire-tower and ornate design, Strictly no access to school Kilbreda College). Como Parade West and the lavish guest-house offered grounds. The front sumptuous food and Florence Street entranceway and stained In 1896, during the height of accommodation. glass windows may be depression, the small isle of viewed by appointment. land was sold. Small and Enjoying only ten prosperous Edwards established an estate years, economic downturn and agency on the site in 1906 competition from the Mentone which they maintained for Hotel forced the unlicensed over 50 years. Palace to close its doors in 1898. This unique red brick building In 1904 the disused property was is regarded affectionately by sold for a bargain price to the PHOTO locals for its intimate size and Brigidine Sisters who opened a Small & Edwards Estate location. Four raised pediments school with only three pupils. and an elegant Agents, c1918 Now known as Kilbreda College, Edwardian-style veranda give Image courtesy of the the school presently houses over this quaint structure an Mordialloc & District Historical 1000 students. unmistakable charm. Society Incorporating Greek and PHOTO Romanesque styles, the building Mentone Coffee Palace, was conceived by Reed, Henderson & Smart. The design is c1906 especially significant for its Image from the Leader elaborate contrasting collection, courtesy of brick-render and iron lace work. Kevin Wilson Historical Trail Bro ART:MHWT 11/8/08 12:51 PM Page 6 Mentone Primary School MAP REF: MAP REF: 4 St Patrick’s School 5 MENTONE LEASED SCHOOL No 2950 – Built 1889 Built 1928 During Mentone’s rapid St Patrick’s was the first land-boom growth, the need 6 Childers Street, Catholic primary school in the 16 Childers Street, for a school became clearly Mentone district. Established in 1904 Mentone apparent. After some lobbying with just 25 pupils, the school by townsfolk and developers, No public access 8.30am - was originally housed in the Strictly no access to the new school building was 4.30pm on school days old timber church built in school grounds without officially opened in 1889. 1885, next to the Coffee permission The launch was celebrated Palace. in style, with 60 enrolled students invited to sip tea at By 1928 the school had grown the Mentone Coffee Palace. to include 150 students and this new redbrick building was Depression in the 1890s forced erected in Childers Street. the school to merge with Incorporating religious statues Cheltenham Primary School, and cement decorative sharing just five teachers dressings, the two storey between them. By 1934 edifice is an attractive example students at Mentone of the unique architectural numbered 530 and additional style adopted by early Catholic land was acquired from an schools. adjacent timberyard to create PHOTO a playing area. During the 1940s the school doubled as the church while St Patrick's Primary School, Despite subsequent additions, St Patrick’s new parish building 1929 PHOTO the character of the original was being erected on the site Image courtesy of the Children at Mentone single-storey building is still next door. The church was Mordialloc & District Historical Primary School, 1910 intact, denoted by the main finally completed in 1960. Society entrance with its steeply Image courtesy of the pitched tiled roof and timber Mordialloc & District Historical shingles. Society Historical Trail Bro ART:MHWT 11/8/08 12:51 PM Page 8 MAP REF: MAP REF: Villa d’Este 6 41 Como Parade East 7 Built from 1890 FIRST TWO STOREY RESIDENCE – Built c1887 One of the most remarkable This classic Victorian brick houses in Mentone is the Villa 58 Warrigal Road, home raises local interest for 41 Como Parade East, d’Este, located on the corner of Mentone two distinct reasons. Mentone Warrigal Road and Como Parade East. Corner of Warrigal Road and The first is for its architectural Corner of Como Parade and East Como Parade significance. It is the only East Warrigal Rd Featuring a corrugated iron double-storey example of a ogee shaped roof (double nineteenth century dwelling curved), the house reflects the located within the City of fashion in European Kingston. architecture during the late nineteenth century to Of mildly classicised style, incorporate oriental decorative it is characterized by an devices with Italianate trim. asymmetrical projecting bay window and double storey The name, meaning Villa of the balcony. East, is likely both to reference its appearance and the famous The second reason is far more Italian building by the same perplexing, as conversation name which is situated on turns to answer an unsolved Lake Como in Italy. mystery: Why had no occupant ever remained in the house for For some years occupied more than three years? by the Catholic Church, the weatherboard house is PHOTO The first known occupant was extensively decorated with Villa D'Este 1950's G. Waghorn in 1889, followed ornate stained glass, ogee Image courtesy of the by a long list of successive PHOTO shaped archways and Mordialloc & District Historical buyers. By 1965 the house had 41 Como Parade East, 2003 attractive bay windows. Society been turned into rental flats Image from the Kingston and is now a medical practice. Heritage Study Historical Trail Bro ART:MHWT 11/8/08 12:51 PM Page 10 St Augustine’s Anglican Church MAP REF: MAP REF: 8 Combers Building 9 Founded 1888 Built 1925-6 The foundation stone for In 1908 a prominent local St Augustine’s church was laid in 90 Como Parade, man, Mr H. Peterson, built a Corner of Mentone Parade 1888 on land donated by the Mentone confectionary store and cafe and Florence Street, Davies family. Modest in size but on this site. Like many other Mentone beautifully adorned, the church stores in Mentone erected building was extended in the after the land-boom collapse, 1950s to comprise a traditional the small timber structure was cruciform floor plan. The original a vast contrast to the lavish redbrick building was retained to Coffee Palace building located form the nave of the church and opposite. transepts of contrasting grey brick were added.