Ipswich is full of beautiful and varied house designs many of which are heritage listed. Garowie is one example of this:
Garowie, 1970 – image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Garowie in Whitehill Rd was designed by Ipswich Architect, Samuel Shenton for James Cribb, the son of Benjamin Cribb, and his new wife Alice. It was built in 1888 by Messrs. Robt. Wilson and Co. The house is a beautiful two storey Victorian mansion with elaborate details including iron lacework, marble and cedar fireplaces, a beautiful cedar staircase and its own outdoor bowling green.
After Jim and Alice died, Jim’s younger brother Harry Cribb bought the house. He renovated the house and changed some details to 1930s style. Harry died during World War 2 and the house and contents were sold at auction in August, 1944 to Duncan Robson. It was then converted into flats and gradually became run down.
In 1970 Dr and Mrs J. Thomas bought Garowie and restored it back to its former glory. In the 1980’s the home was bought by Edwin and Loretta Stoyle who raised their four children there.
The house was sold again in December, 2003 to the Frank family; June, Michael and Amy, and restored extensively. It is listed by the National Trust of Queensland. (This blog post was updated on 2 June, 2016)
Information taken from the Queensland Times article “Garowie had a view to beat all” and “The Ipswich Heritage Study”; Information contributed by the Frank Family, June 2016.