Author(s): Helen Carter; Stevens Ray (Introduction by)

History

This remarkable 140 page book traces the history of demolished houses in the Balmain area (Balmain, Birchgrove and Rozelle) from its earliest house built c 1815 to an inter-war bungalow recently demolished in November 2021.The 49 specific examples, accompanied by a small history of who lived in these houses until their demise, vary from a marine villa to the humble iron house.It opens with the premise that the demolition of the houses was a crime although it soon becomes clear that there were various reasons for their destruction. What makes this publication interesting is the inclusion of photographs, advertisements and plans that give us evidence of the what type of structure existed, their internal details and who were their owners or occupants. A snap shot of life in a unique and early Sydney suburb in the 19th and 20th century.