Topcroft Homestead, 1870- (Place)

SummaryTopcroft, built in 1870 by David Lundon and brother-in-law John Conway for Samuel Ludbrook Clarke, is one of Tauranga's oldest European homes, constructed from pit-sawn, kauri timber. It featured pressed metal ceilings, a "swan-neck" staircase, wood-panelled walls, and dormer windows.

Originally built as a farmhouse on an 823-acre lease, the house was first relocated by Josiah Tutchen in 1897 to align with Edgecumbe Road, requiring it to be turned 90 degrees and the original servants' quarters to be moved to an adjacent section.

It was named after Clarke's family home "Topcroft Hall" in Norfolk, England.

The Shearmans lived in Topcroft from 1930 until the 1970s.

After many decades on 123 Edgecumbe Road, Topcroft was relocated in 1988 to Ranginui Road in Welcome Bay, part of the Bridgevale Estate, by its new owner, Tauranga solicitor Bill Taylor.

See also Topcroft Estate, the initial block bounded by Cameron Road, Eleventh Avenue, Edgecumbe Road, and Twelfth Avenue. Last edited by: Pae Koroki

SourcesArabin, Shirley. (2020, November 6). Topcroft. Tauranga Historical Society blog.Bay of Plenty Times. (1875, November 20). Topcroft to be sold by auction.Bay of Plenty Times. (1875, November 24). Sale of Topcroft. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1882, February 9-10). Topcroft residence of S.I. Clarke sold to Rev. Burrows of Auckland.Bay of Plenty Times. (1887, November 28). New owner Josiah Tutchen relocates house. p. 2.Bay of Plenty Times. (1898, November 30). Judge Gill purchases Topcroft.Bay of Plenty Times. (1898, December 9). Judge Gill purchases Topcroft. Last edited by: Kate Charteris

Bay of Plenty Times. (1899, August 21). Opened as nursing home by Mrs J.B. Chappell.Bay of Plenty Times. (1983, March 12). Part of city history for sale. Last edited by: Pae Koroki

Bay of Plenty Times. (1987, December 1). Shift for old home.Bay of Plenty Times. (1988, February 4). Easy does it, as homestead shift begins.Faulkner, Ron. (1981, March). Judea saleyards. Journal of the Tauranga Historical Society, 65, p. 4.Lundon and Conway. (1898, December). Sold by Tutchen to R. Badger (£350). In: Lundon and Conway's timber notebook. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 62.Lundon and Conway. (1899). Alteration. In: Lundon and Conway's timber notebook. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 62. Last edited by: Kate Charteris

Page, Alexia. (1975, December). "Topcroft" (from information supplied by Mrs Brenda Shearman). Journal of the Tauranga Historical Society, 55, p. 18-20.Sunday Star Times. (1995, December 3). Wonder of wood revived. (Topcroft auctioned 3 December 1995).

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Topcroft in 1925. Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 06-456

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within. Last edited by: Pae Koroki

CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Last edited by: Pae Koroki

LicenseCC BY 4.0 Last edited by: Pae Koroki

AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries , Topcroft Homestead, 1870- (Place) Last edited by: Pae Koroki

Known Date/s

Date Built1870 Last edited by: Pae Koroki

Location

Map Address123, Edgecumbe Road, Tauranga Last edited by: Kate Charteris

Location197 Edgecumbe Street, Tauranga (1870-1988) Last edited by: Pae Koroki

Relates To

Start here:Lundon, David, 1846-1931 (Person)Conway, John, 1838-1924 (Person)

Admin

AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Last edited by: Pae Koroki