ALBERT PARK’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS RESIDENCE IS BEING OFFERED OUT OF THE FAMILY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 75 YEARS. CIRCA 1909 THE RESIDENCE EXHIBITS MANY OLD WORLD FEATURES STILL APPRECIATED TODAY. AN ARTICLE DATED APRIL 1909 FROM THE COOTAMUNDRA HERALD PROVIDES AN INTERESTING & INFORMATIVE INSIGHT INTO THE CONSTRUCTION AND HISTORY OF "BONHEUR".
AN EXTREMLY COMFORTABLE RESIDENCE THE HOME NOW CONTAINS AN IMPRESSIVE ENTRANCE HALLWAY, FOUR BEDROOMS WITH ROOM SIZES UP TO 6.4 METRES X 4.87 METRES. FORMAL LOUNGE ROOM, TWO MODERN BATHROOMS, COMFORTABLE SITTING/FAMILY ROOM, LARGE KITCHEN ADJACENT TO THE CASUAL MEALS BREAKFAST ROOM. THE LONG TIME OWNERS HAVE TAKEN PRIDE IN MAINTAINING "BONHEUR" AS THE PROMINENT ALBERT PARK ADDRESS. ATTRACTIVE GARDENS COMPLIMENTED BY DOUBLE CAR GARAGE, A LOFT FOR ADDITIONAL STORAGE ADD TO THE GRACIOUS LIFESTYLE OFFERED BY THIS IMPOSING RESIDENCE.
Cootamundra Herald Friday April 16, 1909 (Researched Pat Caskie)
“Handsome New Dwelling”. Mr F R Watson's residence.
There are pessimists who have little faith in the future of Cootamundra as a town and who think there is nothing very durable in it: but Mr F R Watson, the local insurance agent evidently is not one of them as he added to our already valuable and neat and comfortable dwellings one that must attract the attention and meet the ideas of persons who could appreciate an acceptable home. It is of novel design and well finished reflecting credit upon the owner the architect (Mr. W. J. Monks, Wagga) and the builders (Messrs.P. McBeath and Co.)
It is situated on one of the choice sites of the town, at the corner of Adams and Sutton streets, and it faces Albert Park which it is to be hoped, will be made a real park when the seasons and conditions warrant the necessary expenditure upon it. It is happily named “Bonheur” a French compound which is an embodiment of happiness.
The architect was Mr. W. J. Monks of Wagga and the builders Messrs. P. McBeath Cootamundra. It is built of brick Brady's best the walls 9in solid with coloured rough-cast cement treatment below and above the chief window opening and above the front base course; and the chimneys are also tastefully touched off similarly and with a distribution of ornamental bricks and tiles. It stands 2ft above the foundation, which is of concrete bound all through with reinforced steel. It will, therefore be instructive if it resists the movement of the land in this town in the change from the dry to moist seasons – that characteristic of such formation as we have in this town, which characteristic is most displayed in its low lying parts.
As to the interior parts of the building they comprise a lobby 7ft wide followed by a reduced passage 5ft wide to the rear: a sitting room 15 by 13 feet: a 'state' bedroom 21 by 16 feet opposite which is a dining room of the same dimensions: and front bedroom 14 by 12 feet – these complete the main dwelling. In addition, at the rear are large rooms for maid kitchen (13 by 12) linen closets and bathroom (8ft 6in by 7ft). In the chief rooms are bays which are spacious, and set off with grilles neatly cut out with the band saw: and a neat grille lends a charm to the lobby or main entrance. The lobby is approached by steps in cement with side-pillars for flower pots or other ornaments. All the walls are 12ft high the ceilings are well finished in Wunderlich of choice patterns, and the wood work is grained oak, which, with elaborate mantle-selves (sic), corners, brackets & c, complete one of the most up to date and cosy homes in Cootamundra. It is well ventilated by louvres in the roofs, air bricks and fanlights. The painting and graining have been done with great care and exquisite taste. It is fitted for water and gas: and the out-houses are placed and built on healthful and convenient conditions.
The site is spacious for ornamentation gardening (flower and vegetable and fruit) for horse and coach accommodation; and the double-front fence is of novel and very neat design in pickets and panels and rails, which are admirably finished by the painter's brush. Cosy verandahs are provided for morning and afternoon shade.
This new dwelling is well worthy of inspection by those who are about to build.