Johnathon Brown Homestead, 1878-c.1979 (Place)

SummaryThe Welcome Bay Homestead was built on land originally confiscated from Ngāti Hē (Ngāi Te Rangi) after the colonial invasion. It was constructed in 1878 by settler Jonathan Brown using predominantly kauri timber. Designed in a twin-gable style with five rooms on the ground floor and four above. It overlooked Tauranga Harbour, with extensive grounds including native bush, an orchard and kitchen garden.

At its peak in the 1880s, it formed the centre of a large-scale mixed farming operation comprising over 400 head of cattle, 1,200 sheep, 20 horses, pigs, and poultry. The house was known for hosting guests, with visitors accommodated in upstairs rooms accessed by twin staircases.

Following Jonathan Brown’s accidental death in 1895, the property passed through several owners. In 1911, it was purchased by Harry Lysaght, whose family lived there until 1923. The Bank of New Zealand foreclosed on the property in the 1930s, leading to its local nickname, the “Bank Run.” From 1940, the property was managed by the Department of Māori Affairs, with John and Mrs Cram residing there until 1955. During their occupancy, the land was subdivided into smaller holdings. The house was last permanently occupied in the mid-1950s.

The location is now commemorated as Jonathan Brown Park, a neighbourhood reserve in Welcome Bay.SourcesMove to Preserve old homestead » Bay of Plenty Mirror 19 March 1974Homestead History Recounted » Bay of Plenty Mirror, March 30, 1974Photos Spark More Memories of Old » Bay of Plenty Times April 1, 1977Early settlers in Welcome Bay: Jonathan Brown (Tauranga Historical Society BlogAnn Bowlings sketch of Jonathan Brown's Homestead

Photographs

Jonathan Brown's homestead - Welcome Bay

Our People (authority)

Brown, Jonathan, 1882-1895, (Person)

Jonathan Brown's homestead, Welcome Bay, Tauranga. Photo of drawing by Anne Hyde. Photo 03-303

Usage

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.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Johnathon Brown's Homestead, 1878-c.1977 (Place)

Known Date/s

Date Built1878Date Demolishedc.1979

Location

Map Address20, Homestead Place, Welcome Bay, Tauranga, 3112Latitude/Longitude^[1]

Relates To

Start here:Brown, Jonathan, 1882-1895, (Person)

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | Places

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Johnathon Brown Homestead, 1878-c.1979 (Place)