Old Harbour Master's Cottage ruins

Address: Lot 20 Water Street
Suburb: Port Willunga
Title reference: CT 5483/607, Section 386, Hundred of Willunga
Allot No: 
Plan No: 
Heritage ID No: 28503
Council Heritage ID: 
Type of listing: Local Heritage Place

 

Description

C.1850s former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, comprising freestone masonry of various heights forming a former five-roomed residence. Original fireplace surrounds and slate flooring, various areas of painted render. External freestone paving and steps to the immediate south, various areas of minor retaining walls to the north and south of the site. 

History

The former Harbour Master cottage ruins at Lot 22 Water Street, Port Willunga is of significance as the former residence of the Port Willunga harbour master, a central role within the township’s initial developments in the 1850s as a significant South Australian port. Constructed by Thomas Martin, one of Port Willunga’s earliest settlers, the property is strongly associated with the Martin family, who retained the site (formerly including the Pier Hotel and ‘Uncle Tom’s’ log cabin) from 1846 until 1974; an association of nearly 130 years. The ruins are the last surviving remnant of the site’s historical usage and now comprise a significant local landmark within Towilla Yerta Reserve.

 

Former Harbour Master’s Cottage ruins, Lot 22 Water Street, Port Willunga looking north (GGA, 2021) (JPG, 231KB)



Site of Lot 22 Water Street, Port Willunga (Planning SA SAPPA) Site of Lot 22 Water Street, Port Willunga (Planning SA SAPPA) (JPG, 131KB)

Enhancement of SAPPA satellite mapping of Lot 22 Water Street, Port Willunga, showing former Harbour Master cottage ruins highlighted in red box (Planning SA SAPPA) Enhancement of SAPPA satellite mapping of Lot 22 Water Street, Port Willunga, showing former Harbour Master cottage ruins highlighted in red box (Planning SA SAPPA) (JPG, 139KB)

C.1910 photograph of Martin family’s Port Willunga property looking north, showing the former Pier Hotel (left), early log cabin (‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’) (centre) and former Harbour Master cottage (extreme right) (SLSA, B 25664) C.1910 photograph of Martin family’s Port Willunga property looking north, showing the former Pier Hotel (left), early log cabin (‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’) (centre) and former Harbour Master cottage (extreme right) (SLSA, B 25664) (JPG, 80KB)

Dilapidated former Pier Hotel, photographed in 1933 looking east; former Harbour Master cottage in background to extreme right (SLSA, B 8885). Dilapidated former Pier Hotel, photographed in 1933 looking east; former Harbour Master cottage in background to extreme right (SLSA, B 8885). (JPG, 90KB)

West elevation of former Harbour Master’s cottage in 1933 (SLSA, B 8885). West elevation of former Harbour Master’s cottage in 1933 (SLSA, B 8885). (JPG, 69KB)

C.1895 photograph of former log cabin immediately south-east of former Pier Hotel (likely the originator of the local nickname ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’) (SLSA, B 45380/4). C.1895 photograph of former log cabin immediately south-east of former Pier Hotel (likely the originator of the local nickname ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’) (SLSA, B 45380/4). (JPG, 89KB)

Former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, looking south; various areas of render over freestone ruins (GGA, 2021). Former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, looking south; various areas of render over freestone ruins (GGA, 2021). (JPG, 209KB)

Former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, looking east; former fireplace surrounds with later painted render (GGA, 2021). Former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, looking east; former fireplace surrounds with later painted render (GGA, 2021). (JPG, 190KB)

Former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, looking south-west; original slate paved flooring to various former rooms (GGA, 2021). Former Harbour Master’s cottage ruins, looking south-west; original slate paved flooring to various former rooms (GGA, 2021). (JPG, 252KB)

Former Harbor Master’s cottage ruins, looking north; freestone retaining walls and verandah plinth to immediate south of former cottage (GGA, 2021). Former Harbor Master’s cottage ruins, looking north; freestone retaining walls and verandah plinth to immediate south of former cottage (GGA, 2021). (JPG, 267KB)

Location

Lot 20 Water Street, Port Willunga 5173  View Map

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