The Ridge, Newcastle, hospital
The Ridge is a large house built in 1861 in Merewether, set high on a ridge with views of the ocean and city. The building has a steeply pitched roof, tall windows, four bedrooms, two studies, and features decorative tiles in the foyer alongside a grand staircase.
The house was built in 1861 by Edward Christopher Merewether, a businessman in coal and shipping who shaped the area's development. In the 1920s and 1930s, it operated as a Salvation Army maternity hospital serving mothers and babies, then fell into disrepair before restoration by a local woman in the 1980s.
The Ridge was home to the Merewether family for many generations and reflects the architectural style and tastes of the 19th century. The house shows fine craftsmanship and reminds visitors of a period when Newcastle thrived, with its details and structure still visible today.
The Ridge is not open to the public but can be admired from the street at the end of Hillcrest Road in the Merewether neighborhood. A quiet walk through the area offers the best way to appreciate the house's architecture and the views from the ridge.
The house almost faced demolition in the 1980s but was saved by a heritage protection order, leading to its careful restoration by a local woman. This rescue made it an important example of heritage preservation in the region.
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