Described in 1891 as the handsomest family mansion in the colony of Queensland this house still stands boldly on position looking across the city skyline. Every house has stories to tell but this one had a most interesting start to its journey in 1887. Abraham Street the Younger or as we would say Abraham Street Junior came to prominence in 1888 when he was sentenced for embezzlement from his employer an estimated 10,000 pound. It could be assumed that the money for the building of Rockhampton House could have been money from the embezzlement but this has never been stated or proven as factual. What is of interest is that Abraham Street's employer from whom he had embezzled the money was the firm of Barron Lewis Barnett. Edward Mann Barnett an employee of the same company had Wandoo built opposite Rockhampton House in Princess Street Camp Hill at the same time. Both houses still stand today and were designed by the same architect G. M. H. Addison. Edward Barnett was never charged with any crime or his name never appeared in the court case of Abraham Street. History does show that these two houses were built opposite each other at the same time in 1887. There would have been a considerable amount of money involved in the establishment of these properties.
Above is Wandoo - Princess Street Camp Hill
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Abraham Street the Younger was jailed for ten years in 1888 and in September of 1892 was to be released in another six months after being of exemplary behaviour during his sentence. After his release the Street family moved from Leichardt Street in the city out to a property at Cleveland purchased in the name of Abraham Street (senior). This property became known as Kinross. Today there is a new housing estate at Cleveland built on the Street farm now known as Kinross.
The following is a very good summary of the story of Rockhampton or Coorparoo House.
History resides in home to American Consul Coorparoo House
Coorparoo and Districts Heritage Group President Ron Baker looks in to the fascinating history of Camp Hill’s hidden gem, Coorparoo House.
THIS large two-storey home has been known by several names including Street’s Folly, the haunted house and has also been referred to as Rockhampton. Coorparoo House at 86 Princess St, Camp Hill, was originally a two-storey red brick Victorian style dwelling with encircling veranda on the ground floor with open two rail timber balustrade. A decorative valence spanned between the timber veranda posts. The upper storey contained polychromatic brickwork, tiled roof, twin chimneys, colonnaded porches with decorative voussoirs (wedge shaped blocks), and double hung windows.
The block is part of the original 22.66ha acquired from the crown on July 17, 1862 by surveyor Louis Le Gould and architect James Cowlishaw for 65 pounds. They subdivided the land and sold off blocks in 1864 as part of the Windsor Estate. Early history of the property is vague however it is known that Abraham Street Junior owned the property by March 1885. The size of the property then was approximately 5.5 acres (2.22 ha). Street took out a mortgage for 2000 pounds to build the home.and commissioned architect George Henry Male Addison to design the home.
Street did not reside in the home for long as on June 13, 1888, he was declared insolvent. Coorparoo House and grounds were auctioned on September 14, 1888 by Auctioneers Smith Greenwood and Purcell. From October 1888 until June 1921 the home was owned by Mrs Isabella Gorrie, wife of wine and vinegar merchant George Gorrie. It is not known how long the Gorries lived in the house as it was vacant in the mid-1890s, then George Skeen appears to have been the caretaker in the late 1890s.
On July 4, 1908 the property was put up for auction but does not appear to have sold. William Harris is known to have lived in the house with his family for a number of years. Coorparoo House was acquired by John Skirving in June 1921 and he lived there for many years. In 1937 Skirving sold of some of the land associated with the property and reduced his holding to less than 2 acres (8093 sqm). During World War II the home was occupied by the Brisbane Police CIB finger- printing section and in the early 1950s by the American Consul. Colin George Caswell, a chemist, acquired the home in 1962 and lived there until he sold it to the Purcell family in 1975. Coorparoo House was then altered dramatically from the original red brick when it was rendered and the veranda enclosed and incorporated within the house. A porte-cochere with an open deck above was added and framed by Spanish Mission style openings. While the additions increased the size of the residence, the grounds of the property were reduced to its current size of 3812 sqm. The building, while still a grand home and a Camp Hill landmark lacks its former grandeur.
– Ron Baker, President Coorparoo and Districts Heritage Group
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 14 May 1887, page 3
Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Saturday 9 June 1888, page 20
Abraham Street, the Younger.
The Supreme Criminal Court was on Wednesday the scene of a most unusual stir, caused by the expected passing of sentence upon Abraham Street, the younger, for having embezzled his employers' money. The great interest felt in the case was caused by the fact that Street may be considered to have ruined his masters' Beport has it that he has disposed of not leas than £10,000. It appears to have been done in the most dating manner, and during the trial prisoner showed a wicked levity. It cost him an odd three years. His counsel did their best to procure his acquittal. Points of law were leserved, in themselves of the utmost importance to liberty and justice, but of no avail as applied to the case of Street. He had sinned without restraint, and he fell without pity. His Honour Mr Justice Hein very properly pointed out the enormity of an offence which a man not only robs his employer but also scandalously violates the trust which all commercial men must be able to place in each other, or business would be impossible. The alleged ways in which Street has spent the money of which he robbed his masters and of his having so spent it there is little doubt, makes matters all the worse. Debauchery and gambling, indulgence in eportn quite above the convict's station, and in mad speculations of which he knew nothing, made a pretty catalogue for a man not much more than 30 years of age. He goes to a felon's cell, a felon's idleness, a felon's dress, diet, and degradation withoat a tongue being moved to commiserate. Can anyone say to what it is due that society has learned to look in this way on crime and its punishment ? The sentence is for ten years.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 12 September 1888, page 4
Street's Insolvency.
The Father-in-Law's Evidence.
His Honour Mr. Justice Mein sat in the insolvency jurisdiction this morning, and disposed of the matter of Abraham Street, jun. An examination of witnesses was held in this estate this morning. Mr. E. M. Lilley, instructcd by Messrs. Hart and Flower, appeared for the trustee, Mr. G. Cannon, and Mr. McNab (Chambers, Bruce, and M'Nab) was present on behalf of the witness. Joseph Dandy said he was Abraham Street's father-in-law. In 1882 advanced him £790. Could not remember the month. Received, no acknowledgement. The money was advanced in one sum. His daughter, insolvent's wife, counted the money. Lent him £500 in 1884. Did not remember the month. Received an acknowledgement. It was witnessed by insolvent's wife. She read the document to witness. Paid the money in notes and cheques. Insolvent had a piece of land with a house upon it and an adjoining garden in Leichhardt street. Had told witness the house and land were mortgaged to a building society. Received the certificate of title subsequently. Believed he received it in 1884. Kept the £500 advanced to insolvent in his drawer. Had it there for more than 12 months. Retired from business eight years ago. Sold the business to John Fleming. It was a tinsmith and plumber's shop. His daughter managed it. Received the title of the land two or three months after giving insolvent the second loan.....
Daily Northern Argus (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1875 - 1896), Friday 23 September 1892, page 5
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The Executive to-day considered tbe case of Abraham Street, of Brisbane, who is undergoing a long sentence for embezzlement, and J. W. Rutter, of Rockhampton for forgery. It was decided to release Street six months hence, and Rutter, whose conduct while in prison has been most exemplary will be released next week.
Auction Sales.
THIS DAY. TUESDAY, 21ST APRIL. . AT ELEVEN O'CLOCK.
TO INVESTORS, SPECULATORS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
MAGNIFICENT FAMILY MANSION.
By Order of the Mortgagees.
ISLES, LOVE, & CO. are favoured with instructions from the Mortgagees to sell by public auction, at their Mart, on TUESDAY, 21st April, at Eleven o'clock, That MAGNIFICENT FAMILY MANSION
known as ROCKHAMPTON HOUSE, erected by Mr. Abram Street, and lately the property of G. D. Gorrie, Esq.,
SITUATED ON, A BEAUTIFUL HILL, at COORPAROO, commanding a view of the whole city, and within half-an-hour's drive of the G.P.O.
THE LAND is described as Subdivisions 1 to 10 of Section 16 and Subdivisions 7 to 16 of Section 11 of Portion 226, County of Stanley, Parish of Bulimba, and contains an area of 6 acres 2 roods 30 porches.
THE MANSION is a large two-storied brick dwelling of 14 rooms, including drawing-room, library, dining-room, cloakroom, five bedrooms, bathroom, collar, pantry, kitchen, storeroom, servant's room, man's room, washhouse, water-closets, and urinal, and is well and faithfully built of' the best materials. It is comparatively new, having been erected within the last three or four years under the supervision of G. H. M. Addison, SEC. The staircases and mantelpieces are in themselves WORKS OF ART and purchaser will find himself possessed of without doubt the HANDSOMEST FAMILY MANSION IN THE COLONY OF QUEENSLAND.
The property will be sold at the upset price of the mortgage and expenses, and the auctioneers will be glad to arrange for the main portion of the purchase money to remain on mortgage.
INTENDING PURCHASERS will be taken out to view the property on application to the Auctioneer, REMEMBER
THAT THIS BUILDING WILL LAST A LIFETIME, and will readily let for a substantial rental.
Terms at Sale.
ISLES, LOVE, & CO., AUCTIONEERS,
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