Listen closely. Can you hear the echoes of wheelwright’s tools? They once shaped wood near Hereford House.
Hereford House stands proudly on Hereford Street. It is in Glebe, a suburb of Sydney. This historic site whispers tales of Victorian elegance. It also echoes with stories of prominent local figures.
Hereford House was built between 1870 and 1879. William Bull, a wheelwright and Justice of the Peace, built it. He was the son of a First Fleeter. Bull appears to have built Hereford House almost immediately after purchasing the land. City directories listed him as occupying the house by the mid-1870s.
Let’s step back to the late 19th century. Hereford House is fenced off from the vacant block. A passage runs the full depth of Hereford House. Imagine a full-width verandah gracing both the front and back. A small brick extension stands at the back. Behind the house a large brick-built stables stands.
William Bull died in the early 1900s. The executors sold Hereford House in 1909. Alice Goldmsith and her husband William, a butcher, bought it. In 1924, the Goldsmiths sold Hereford House to Alexander Levi. Then Levi sold Hereford House in 1928 to Louise and Phillip Leonard.
It is said that a Mayor of Glebe, Stephen McCormack, occupied this house since the 1920s. He supposedly used the premises as a transport depot. The stables accommodated draught horses. They transported produce from the railway to the city markets. Though not confirmed by primary evidence.
Some also claim that tennis champion Lew Hoad learned to play at Hereford House. There were supposedly two tennis courts at the rear of the property. However, there is no confirmed evidence.
In 1981, Hereford House was sold to the NSW College of Nursing. Later in 2001, it was sold to a private owner.
Notice the simple hipped slate roof. Observe the symmetrically arranged chimneys. Admire the double-story verandah. Cast iron posts support the verandah roof. The windows are double-hung. French windows adorn the first floor.
Inside, a central hallway runs through both levels. It provides access to rooms on each side. The hallway features a central archway. A timber stair boasts turned balusters. The house retains original features. Plaster ceilings, marble fireplaces, and timber details remain.
Hereford House is more than just a building. It represents residential development in Glebe. It reflects the Victorian Filigree style. It connects to William Bull and Stephen McCormack. It also enhances the Victorian streetscape.
Hereford House stands as a reminder of Glebe’s past. It connects us to the lives of those who shaped this community. Its history is etched into its walls. Its story continues to unfold.