The Chestnuts

The Chestnuts and its neighbour, Mona Lodge, have a shared history.

On 23 November 1858, Thomas Brew Lyons - a local watch and clock maker - purchased the land upon which The Chestnuts was later built. At that point, the land extended from Court Street to Court Lane (now Meredith Lane).  Prior to the construction of The Chestnuts in 1885, a brick cottage known as Mona Lodge was built around 1863.  Council records indicate that one early occupant of Mona Lodge was Thomas Given, a fellow clock and watch maker.  In 1873, the property was rented by Mrs Mary Darnley-Morrison who used it as a private school.

The Chestnuts came into existence after Lyons subdivided the land and a brick cottage was constructed on the higher side of the block. According to an article in the Queensland Times, the building reflected high quality craftsmanship and possessed ‘an aspect of snugness which would appeal powerfully to the sensibilities of any person who has a proper conception of the meaning of the word “home”.’ The Chestnuts was designed by Lyon's cousin John Mackenzie and John Stewart was responsible for the woodwork.

It seems that Lyons had the second cottage constructed on speculation as both it and Mona Lodge were sold in November 1885 to Mary Darney-Morrison. Upon her occupancy, the newer cottage became known as The Chestnuts, and both were used by her as a finishing school.  Apparently, the Morrisons regarded themselves as "blue bloods" and stated that they were related to Lord Darnley, a husband of Mary Queen of Scots.

In the early 1900s, a change of economic circumstances required the Morrisons to sell Mona Lodge, and take out a mortgage on The Chestnuts.  Mrs Morrison resided in the latter until her death in 1928 and her daughter, a music teacher, remained until the property was auctioned by Jackson & Meyers in late 1936. At this time, it was described as a 'substantial 2-storied residence, with 3 main rooms and hall on each floor, and Attic of 2 rooms.'

The property was sold to the Peters family and then to Sidney Harold Hancock. Hancock initially purchased the home with the intention of restoration, but because of wartime shortages of labour and materials he ultimately rented the home to other families. The Lythgo family were the first to rent The Chestnuts and they remained there for 19 years.

In 1962, Gyula Makk purchased the home and installed stairs to the attic. Four years later it was purchased by the Lucas family, and thus commenced a period of restoration. The Chestnuts was sold to the Clarke family in June 1967 and during their ownership, the verandahs were completely rebuilt by Mr C. Dawson and the original lattice work was replaced with wrought iron. The back verandah was also modified to add an ensuite and extra living space.

The Chestnuts also underwent external restorations, with the work carried out by Allen and Linda Cooper who ultimately  purchased the property.  Their improvements included the addition of a three-storey extension, summer house and walled garden.  They sold The Chestnuts in 2016 to John Lyon.

The Chestnuts is an unique Ipswich home, being the only example of a two-storey brick cottage with attic rooms, constructed in true Gothic Revival Style.