A small stone cottage stood here. That’s where our story begins. This humble structure the Lieutenant Governor’s House was the colony’s first substantial stone building. Built in 1788 by Major Robert Ross it marked a significant step in the early days of Sydney’s development.
Imagine the Lieutenant Governor’s House. A simple single-storey cottage. It housed the colony’s first Lieutenant Governor Major Robert Ross. He oversaw the fledgling settlement. His time was short though. Ross was recalled in 1791. Major Francis Grose then occupied the Lieutenant Governor’s House. Grose possibly inspired by buildings he’d seen in America or India added a verandah. This was a colonial first.
The Lieutenant Governor’s House wasn’t just a residence. It held a position of importance in early Sydney. In 1802 a visitor described it as having a fine garden. Later the Superintendent of Police and the Sydney Hotel and Coffee House occupied it. The Lieutenant Governor’s House however was short-lived in its location. It stood near the modern intersection of Grosvenor and George Streets. It was demolished in 1831. Samuel Lyon’s auction rooms and stores replaced it.
Today all that remains of the Lieutenant Governor’s House is this plaque. It serves as a reminder of the structure that once stood here. The Lieutenant Governor’s House and its legacy continues to live in Sydney’s history. It is a testimony to the early struggles and achievements of the settlement. A small plaque keeps its memory alive.