Historic connections: Griffith home to be sold for first time in 72 years

For the first time in over 70 years of ownership by a single family, one of the most historic properties in Griffith is being offered to the market.

Without a doubt, stepping into 41-43 Hyandra Street is like stepping back in time with its Georgian Revival architecture and art nouveau stained glass windows.

Built in the 1930s by renowned Griffith doctor Solomon Goldberg, the house was brought by the Stevenson family in the 1950s.

Renovations occurred in 2009, blending modern convenience with historic charm which maintained the integrity of the solid, original design.

"Certainly in my career I have never seen a property like this in Griffith," Griffith Real Estate's Luke Papandrea said.

"It's not just the house but the half an acre offering so close to the CBD - it's practically unheard of."

The Goldberg era
Solomon Goldberg was certainly one of Griffith's most intriguing historical figures.

Born in Palestine in 1901 and graduating with a degree in medicine from Sydney University in 1923, he was contracted by a Griffith medical practitioner which led him to settle in the area.

He established the Loretto Hospital on the corner of Hyandra Street and Whitton Street opposite the then Methodist church, and would later return to his home land serving as a medical officer amid Arab and Jwish riots.

There he met his wife, Shoshana, and returned to Australia.

As well as building one of the oldest houses here, he also established the Roxy Theatre in Leeton and the Rio and Lyceum theatres in Griffith.

Dr Goldberg also owned several farms.

He purchased a Beelbangera property in the late 1930s which employed a number of Land Army girls as labourers, and another at Benerembah which grew wheat and stock.

He also grew opium poppies under licence from the government for the manufacture of medicinal drugs, given the short supply amid the war in Europe.

In the mid 1950s Dr Goldberg transported Corriedale sheep from 'Carmel' in Israel, with one group travelling by plane and two shipments by sea.

He passed away suddenly in 1966 at the age of 65 while his wife died in 1989.

The Stevenson era
Bob Stevenson was synonymous with 'Stevenson Blue Metal Quarries' but the family has older roots in Griffith, arriving in Hanwood in 1919 following a three week journey via Euabalong and Rankins Springs.

Before that the family heritage was steeped in mining and other affairs in Ararat, Wilcannia and Cobar.

Bob Stevenson's various businesses in the early years of Griffith contributed to the foundation of the city and broader MIA, with most churches, silos, homes and roads built on foundation made from his products.

According to daughter Kay Mitchell, the family moved into the home practically from across the street in 1952 with her two older brothers.

The Stevenson family would own the property for 72 years.

"It was a very unique house in Griffith even then," Ms Mitchell said.,

"It had a swimming pool, a tennis court, plenty of room to run around which was terrific as I was very sporty.

"People had a lot of admiration for the house; they would walk past and marvel at it," she said.

"It was a great meeting place and saw many parties.

She said the house was established as Griffith was emerging, with that starting the area north of the CBD.

"North Griffith had a relative degree of notoriety, kick-starting the professional district where a lot of doctors and lawyers lived," she said.

A house is not just a house

For her, the most important feature of the house has been its role as a home to family, which it didn't just do for the Stevensons.

It has also been rented out over the years, one of those being to Jo Ryan.

"It's been a really beautiful place to live in," Ms Ryan said.

"I think anyone who has lived in it has fallen in love with it."

The house is on the market to expressions of interest by Griffith Real Estate until this Friday at 4pm, July 26.

More information can be found here: https://www.domain.com.au/41-43-hyandra-street-griffith-nsw-2680-2019337920

(Source: The Area News)