Monsildale Homestead

This privately owned homestead is nestled into a loop of Monsildale Creek and is now a deer farm. The property was taken up by James Stevens for cattle grazing around 1871 and by 1877 it included a chamferboard house with shingle roof, comprising seven rooms and a hall, was encircled by verandahs. It was lined and ceiled with cedar, had two brick chimneys and was valued at £800 ($1600). The property also boasted a 9000 gallon underground brick and concrete tank, a slab and shingle kitchen, fowl house, piggery, a blacksmith shop and later a cattle dip. The property changed hands a few times until purchased by James Horne in 1910. He continued to expand his grazing enterprise by securing neighbouring properties. Local information indicates that the hut to the south of the homestead was occupied by Aboriginal stockmen. By 1924 the properties had been subdivided into 17 farms. The main residence has been altered over time as subsequent owners adapted the house, including a large 1910s extension to the south and the raising of the house onto higher stumps. In 2007 the land within the loop of the creek was used to raise deer.