Hawkesbury People & Places
Bona Vista
Property name
This historic property is located at 11 Amelia Grove, Pitt Town, New South Wales. On 15 June 1889, the Windsor and Richmond Gazette noted that the foundation stone of Mr Johnstone’s house at Vermont near Pitt Town was laid by Miss Lillie Johnstone, youngest daughter of Mr Johnstone. Afterwards the family enjoyed an excellent picnic. Later in the month the Windsor and Richmond Gazette reported that the sandstone home being constructed at Pitt Town for Mr J H Johnstone was progressing well.
Mr. Albert Arnold is the contractor for the stonework, &c., and Mr J Gersbach has the woodwork contract to complete. The residence will be a very superior one, and all the timber to be used, for doors, shutters, and inside work generally, will be cedar. All the doors and such like will be hand-made, and will be made on the premises either by Mr Gersbach, or under his supervision. Only the timber will be obtained from Sydney, the whole of the requisite pieces being made up by Mr Gersbach.
Bona Vista homestead, Pitt Town. Cathy McHardy October 2012.
Source: NSW State Heritage Inventory
Bona Vista is of high historical significance as a substantial Victorian farm group which survives with its slab outbuildings. It is highly evocative of the nineteenth century character of the higher lands around Pitt Town which were often used for orcharding. The main homestead of Bona Vista is an important Victorian filigree residence. It is probably the most substantial homestead in the immediate Pitt Town area and is a well built residence featuring a broad ogee roofed verandah, fine slate roofing and sandstone walls. The property has connections with the Hall and Johnstone families who were large and influential landholders in the district.
The corn shed at Bona Vista is important for its unusual construction and is unique to the Hawkesbury region. Behind is the intact high barn also a feature of the property. Cathy McHardy October 2012.
Part of the lovely garden at Bona Vista with the mature Bunya Pine towering over the property and marking the home’s location in the landscape. Cathy McHardy October 2012.
Read more about Bona Vista also https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1741703
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