Printable house story10 Thames Street, Balmain NSW 2041
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James McDonald’s house (10 Thames Street) — 10 Thames Street. Photograph: Date unknown. Photographer not identified, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, printed p. 5 (PDF p. 5).
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10 Thames Street, Balmain NSW 2041

10 Thames St, Balmain NSW 2041, Australia

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Cover photo: James McDonald’s house (10 Thames Street) — 10 Thames Street. Photograph: Date unknown. Photographer not identified, Leichhardt Historical Journal No. 8, printed p. 5 (PDF p. 5). — Date unknown

Year built1863
Timeline entries4
Memories0
Photos2

At a glance

  • House typeCottage
  • StyleChoose Option
  • Current statusUnknown

The story of this house

James McDonald’s house (10 Thames Street)Architect James McDonald bought the land for his Thames Street home from John Frazer Gray for £132 in November 1862.

He built the house in 1863, replacing the rent-free dwelling previously provided by the council.

The house became the centre of his architectural practice.

John Flower describes pointed-arch openings in the gable, tall narrow windows, dark cedar architraves and an ornamental triple window.

Flower considered the entrance portico and study probable later additions by McDonald; that interpretation is not treated here as a dated building event.

McDonald sold the house to his son-in-law James Shirra in 1895.

After his wife Mary died in 1897, he rented a room there from Shirra.

McDonald died at his Thames Street home on 25 November 1902.

The journal photograph identifies the building as 10 Thames Street.

John Flower, Leichhardt Historical Journal No.

8, James McDonald (1814–1902): Architect of Balmain, printed pp.

5, 9.

View journal source photograph.

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Timeline highlights

A compact summary of key moments. Scan the QR code to read the full timeline online.

  1. November 1862 — James McDonald purchases the land

    James McDonald paid John Frazer Gray £132 for the land on which he built his home.

  2. 1863 — McDonald builds his home and practice

    James McDonald built his house, which became the centre of his architectural practice.

  3. 1895 — James Shirra purchases the house

    McDonald sold the house to his son-in-law James Shirra.

  4. 25 November 1902 — James McDonald dies at home

    James McDonald died at his Thames Street home.

  1. November 1862 — James McDonald purchases the land

    James McDonald paid John Frazer Gray £132 for the land on which he built his home.

  2. 1863 — McDonald builds his home and practice

    James McDonald built his house, which became the centre of his architectural practice.

  3. 1895 — James Shirra purchases the house

    McDonald sold the house to his son-in-law James Shirra.

  4. 25 November 1902 — James McDonald dies at home

    James McDonald died at his Thames Street home.

Memories, sources & further reading

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Selected photos

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