Merton

Merton was built on land that was originally purchased by Pollet Cardew in 1854. At that time, the property entrance was via Chermside Road rather than York Street. Ebenezer Hargreaves -  a hardware store proprietor, lay preacher and Ipswich councillor from 1872 to 1882 - purchased the land in 1864. It was during his ownership that Merton was built, although the date of construction is unknown. In 1871 some of the property's land was resumed for the Brisbane-Ipswich railway.

Merton's next owner was local solicitor, Pollet Loftus Cardew, most likely the son of the original landowner. During his tenure, two wings were added to the house, the stables were extended, and glasshouses were constructed. A prominent member of the community, Cardew was known to have used Merton to entertain locals and visitors alike. In April 1916, just over a month before Cardew's death, Merton was put up for sale. In the auction notice, Merton was described as a ‘charming and comfortable residence, in excellent order, with large rooms and wide verandahs.’  Indeed, the home contained 20 rooms, including numerous bedrooms, maids’ rooms, dressing rooms and a drawing room and billiards room. Outside, the property featured a tennis court, septic tank, motor garage, harness and man’s room and a glass and bush house.

John Morris was the next homeowner, though he subsequently mortgaged the house to his cousin, Mary Cribb, in order to raise capital for his commercial venture - the Ipswich Woollen Company.  A prior owner of the Tivoli Mill, Morris acquired the old cotton mill at East Ipswich and transformed it into a wool-working plant. In later years, he developed another woollen mill at an old meatworks site in Redbank.  When John died in 1947, Merton was passed down to his eldest son, Humphrey Gray Morris.

Still regarded as as a grand residence, Merton retains much of its original external features and its high position in York Streets ensures expansive views to the west and north of the city.