Last
update July 2009 Created by Tony Maple: imlac2005@grapevine.com.au
Hillside
Between
1860-1910 Charles and Elizabeth Maple lived at various places around Hay Flat
but mostly at Parkfield. In 1893 he
purchased the “Hillside” property at Hay Flat from James Treasure. The
two-story house had been built by Lt William George Field, the former master
of the ship Rapid, which brought Colonel Light to SA in 1836. Light's task was to select the site for
the main settlement of the new colony. Hillside was partly built of bricks, reputedly the ballast of a
sailing ship, and was regarded as "the mansion of its time". Captain
Field is also reputed to have planted the first citrus fruit trees in SA.
Charles‘s
sons, James Austin, William Henry (Harry) and John Robert (Bob) lived at Hillside. Two
of Harry’s and five of Bob’s children were born at Hillside. When Hillside was damaged by strong
wind around 1912 Bob’s family moved to Parkfield at Hay Flat. In 1913 Hillside was sold to George Putland who built a new one-story
house with the fabric obtained from Captain Field's house. Little now remains
of the original house but foundations, some fragments of walls, the ancient
lime tree and a small orchard.
Floor plan of Hillside at Hay Flat,
Yankalilla. Probably drawn by Lila Bowyer.
Captain Field’s lime tree at the ruin of
Hillside in 2006. , The tree could be the oldest citrus in SA (and a leaf from
the tree above).