Booval House, Historic residence in Booval, Australia
Booval House is a two-story brick residence with a steep hipped roof clad in galvanized iron and four main rooms connected by a central staircase. The structure displays typical residential architecture from the 1850s in Queensland with traditional proportions and materials.
George Faircloth, manager of the Bank of Australasia in Ipswich, commissioned the construction of this residence, which William Hancock completed in 1857. The property changed hands several times before being auctioned in 1868.
The house served as St Gabriel's Convent starting in 1930 when the Sisters of Mercy established their convent school next door. This religious purpose shaped how the building was used for generations to come.
The house is easily reached on foot from central Booval and sits in a quiet residential area. Visitors should know that renovations from the 1990s adapted the structure for modern living while preserving original features like timber columns.
During the American Civil War era, the property was involved in cotton production, reflecting Australia's economic ties to international markets at the time. This venture ended when financial difficulties forced its sale.
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