Monkland State School Residence

The timber residence of the Monkland State School was built in 1884 and is located to the rear of the school property, close to the railway line. It was built concurrently with the school, a single-room structure, by local builder William Condon. Both buildings were designed by Government Architect Robert Ferguson, who developed the design of early timber school buildings of his predecessor, Richard Suter. Instead of Suter’s internally sheeted single skin buildings, Ferguson opted for external sheeting, which enhanced the structure’s longevity. When built, the residence comprised three bedrooms, a sitting room with a fireplace, a kitchen and enclosed veranda at the rear and an open veranda at the front. The first to occupy the house was teacher Charles Reinhold and his wife Marion. Their first child was born in 1884, followed by four others. Living conditions were cramped and Reinhold requested an extension in 1890. Two extra rooms were added on the western side and an extension to the front veranda partially wrapped around to the east. Most school residences of this era were replaced during the 1930s. This one is the earliest of only four known Ferguson designed buildings to survive. The residence is currently unoccupied.