This is a brick house. It was built around 1889 by the Wallarah Coal-mining company to house its workers.
The first remembered tenants were Mr and Mrs McDougall who lived there with their first two children. Mr McDougall went to the First World War and was away for 4 years. When he returned the family moved across the road to No 18 Clarke Street where another 5 children were born. 3 of the boys died from illness. The oldest boy died at 19 from meningitis and the other two died in childhood.
Joe and Iona Brace were the next tenants. (Husband is renowned for leaning on the bar and saying ‘I own ‘er but I wish I didn’t).
In 1964 the Coal Company ‘Coal & Allied subdivided some of its land. It determined that this house and land would be worth 385 pounds but as the house was vacant at the time it was dealt with differently.
This was a larger block of land than most measuring 62 feet 81/2 across at the front and 72 feet 7 1/8 inches at the rear. The length of this block was 165 feet on one side and 165 feet and 3 ½ inches on the other side.
The house was sold to the current owner who has lived in the house for more than 30 years..
Behind this house was another house where old Mat Woodbury lived with his wife. They had 4 boys and a girl. Mrs Woodbury left and the father moved and went to live in Moonee and from there he moved back into No 9 Clarke Street.