“MOUNT ANNAN” – 15.95ha / 39.4 Acres
The Cock family arrived in 1838 from Leith, in Mid Lothian, Scotland. In 1840 Robert Cock, in partnership with William Fergusson, brought sections 4017 and 4021 of the Mount Barker Special Survey (Onkaparinga) from the South Australian Company.
Robert Cock employed his cousins the Lamb family, the house that the Lambs built formed the nucleus of today’s Mount Annan farmhouse. The very first stone rooms were built in the early 1840′s and later additions were made in the 1860′s and the 1880′s.
Thomas Edwards came out from Shropshire in 1850 on the ship Lord Ashbourne and bought the Mount Annan property (then 200 acres) in 1852 from Robert Cock. The stone barn was built in 1858. The then Onkaparinga Council Heritage Survey signed by G. Young, Director of SA Centre for Settlement Studies in March 1984, in summary wrote “it is the best remaining example of a substantial stone barn built in the district during the 1850′s”.
The stone section of the barn measures 11 metres x 6 metres plus a heavy timber and galvanised section 9 metres x 6 metres adjoining. Upstairs in this stone section is a 6 x 6 loft area and storage with a high gabled roof. This was the original area for the stables and produce. On the western end of the northern side is the extended parking annex. There is an adjoining implement and feed storage shed plus a further adjoining 20′x20′ lean to shed (formerly a Blacksmiths area). Furthermore an old timber double section garage measuring 6 metres x 6 metres.
On the eastern side near the Main Road frontage is a 40 x 20 two-sided hay shed measuring 15′ high at the front and 14′ at the rear. There is also a very old timber frame storage shed next door, one section was originally used as a stable. The dairy building measures 40′x20′, which currently has a cool room and engine room together with associated yarding. There is also a heavy timber original calf shed, some of which has been hand azed and also featuring the original timber feed troughs and further evidenced with timber roof shingles.
The bore next to the dairy is quoted as tested at 8,000 gallons per hour with a salt content of approximately 1,600 ppm. The bore was put down in 1982 to the depth of 400 feet, the pump is set at 300 feet with a Grundfos pump, and the casing is down to about 250 feet and is equipped for 3,500 gallons per hour.
The homestead needs a lot of work, nonetheless offers significant history and character thus with architectural insight, together with engineering verve the homestead could quite successfully blend with modern additions to a renewed and exciting renaissance.
There are a number of rooms, one of which is quite spacious with a vaulted matchboard ceiling with the original fireplace this was used as a dance hall to raise funds for the Oakbank Soldiers Memorial Hall. This area is linked by verandah to the original kitchen and laundry (not used in later years) and the “later kitchen” area is situated on top of the original cellar which links with the fireplace.
There are three rooms on the northern end, two of which have back-to-back fireplaces. There is a sitting room with a Cedar fireplace and two other rooms, one of which also has a Cedar fireplace and a Victorian grate. These rooms are all linked with a central courtyard.
Bay trees, Lilacs, Gooseberries, Damson Plums and Walnut seeds brought from England were planted on the property. In 1866 there was a vineyard too. There is also an Oak Golden Poplar and Willow trees. Furthermore there is a wonderful old River Red Gum estimated to be approximately 800 years of age, which Sir Hans Heysen studied as the subject of one of his paintings many years ago.
The land is divided by the River Onkaparinga approximately 15 acres on the southern side of the river and approximately 25 acres on the northern side. The land is undulating and there is also Government Road access in the northwest corner of the land onto Wicks Road. Power is also situated along the top boundary.
Today you are purchasing a property that has remained with the Edwards family for 158 years 5 generations. Today the great great grandson Robert John Edwards offers this wonderful property with direct links to earliest South Australian settlement offering many opportunities after generations of continual family ownership, now it’s your lifetime opportunity too!
Ownership since settlement of South Australia:
South Australian Company – Mt Barker Special Survey (Onkaparinga).
1840 Robert Cock (arrived December 1836 on the Buffalo).
1852 Thomas George Edwards.
John Edwards.
Thomas Evan Edwards.
George Thomas Edwards.
Robert John Edwards.
2010 – you!

CHRIS WESTON 0419 816 302 RLA173455