Image right: Wynola Estate subdivision plan, 1925. Courtesy State Library of NSW
Bounded by Newton, Chalmers, Barker and Yarmouth (now Wallis Avenue) Roads, the 16 lots of the Wynola Estate were offered for sale 100 years ago on 21 November 1925 by Stanton & Son. Lot 15 comprised the original grand house Wynola, and tennis court, built by wealthy merchant Leonard Keep c.1894. Following his death on Christmas Day 1924, the extensive grounds were subdivided.
The Sun 20 November 1925
The 15 vacant lots were marketed as ‘fine villa sites’ on the heights and buyers were assured that the roads were ‘well formed.’[1] The illustrated sales brochure includes examples of houses surrounding the estate and declared that ‘Strathfield is the finest of the Western Suburbs.’ The major drawcards of 200 trains daily passing through Strathfield Station, as well as local motor buses, were also promoted. Thirteen lots of the Wynola Estate were immediately sold at prices ranging from £8 to £13 per foot. Total sales were £10,100, including the house which featured six bedrooms, a billiard and ballroom and marble mantelpieces. Wynola was later known locally as the ‘white house.’
Wynola Estate promotional brochure, 1925. Courtesy State Library of NSW
You can read more about the history of Wynola and its owners at: https://strathfieldheritage.com/houses/demolished-houses-of-strathfield/wynola-the-white-house-chalmers-road/
Today, a number of the bungalows built in the mid to late 1920s still stand on the Wynola Estate.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Construction and Local Government Journal 11 November 1925 p.17 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/109760773