Buildings of Lorne
Lorne, has a history involving many homes, hotels and buildings. The Mountjoy family built the first real dwelling in Lorne consisting of just two rooms. As interest in Lorne grew, the Mountjoys extended their premises to cater for visitors whose numbers continued to increase as the word spread about the beautiful scenery and abundance of fish and game. They called their first building The Temperance Hotel as no alcohol was sold. Eventually the Mountjoy family renamed their hotel Erskine House.
(from Lorne A Living History by Doug Stirling)
Cinema
Early view over Lorne before box-throne hedge was removed from the foreshore to build the first picture theatre. Lorne’s original galvanized iron picture theatre on the foreshore land near Mantra, was built after an itinerant picture-show man visited Lorne in 1915. He was in financial trouble and offered his equipment for sale. The Dorman, Anderson,...Read more
Jura
Built in 1919 as the family beach house for Western District grazier Clive Campbell, Jura size and prominence reflects the success of the pastoral family, the Campbells, who have connections with the the Scottish Isle of Jura. Jura is significant at State level as one of the largest remaining known examples of Knitlock construction in...Read more
Kincraig
“Kincraig” 1888, 236 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne This splendid villa designed by Geelong architect, Joseph Watt, takes a prime site with considerable panache. The verandah that sweeps around with widely-spaced, iron columns with interlocking leaf pattern lacework (“rinceau”), has fretwork ‘Chinese Chippendale’ balustrading. One can study two elements from two eras. The charming bay window and...Read more
Library Hall
The Library Hall was a gathering place for the Lorne community for many decades of the twentieth century for social events, including parties and drama productions. The Library Hall began as the Lorne Free library in 1885. Amy Miss Gaynor was the town librarian who retired in 1926 after 31 years’ service Lorne Free Library...Read more
Lorne Community Connect
Lorne Community Connect, formerly Lorne Senior Citizens Centre Lorne Community Connect took over the Lorne Citizens Centre, around 2020, as the Lorne Senior Citizens building was being under-utilised. The Surf Coast Shire, as owners, agreed the building would become Lorne Community Connect and be used to encourage arts in Lorne, including exhibitions and an artist...Read more
Lorne Hotel
The site of the Lorne Hotel was where the second house in Lorne, Walton Lodge, with a municipal value of £200 in 1873 was located. After addition of an observatory it was renamed St. Peters by owner Edward Hall. In 1876, Joseph Duncan and Theodore Hancock built the Lorne Hotel on the site and the...Read more
Pacific Hotel
In 1879 Henry Gwynne built the impressive three-storey Grand Pacific Hotel on land adjacent to the pier. Architecturally designed in the Gothic style, this magnificent structure had two ornate balconies heavily decorated in iron lace, complete with a bell tower and flagstaff. Naturally the hotel became a magnet for early tourists. Henry Gwynne suffered a...Read more
Post Office
The first Post Office in Lorne opened on 28 April 1874, under the management of Thomas Mountjoy, located at Erskine House. Mail at that time was conveyed twice a week. Telegraph facilities were provided at Lorne Post Office in January 1876. It seems the Post Office was transferred from Erskine House in 1882, when Alice...Read more
Ravenswood
“Ravenswood” c 1890s, 70 Smith Street, Lorne. The late 1890s house with its spreading verandah and fine timber work, as well as its major frontage to what would have been one of the great sea views, shows the advantage taken of one of Lorne’s choice locations. The square, flagpole-topped tower set to one side with...Read more
Stribling Reserve
Stribling Reserve is located between Williams Street and Grove Road. It was originally on a piece of land knows as the Library Paddock or recreation reserve. An Avenue of Honour with red flowering gum trees were planted in the recreation reserve, now Stribling Reserve oval, where each tree had a brass plaque with the name...Read more
Swimming
Lorne’s first swimming baths were actual sea baths. A large timber structure was built on the foreshore, extending 200 ft and 90 ft into Louttit bay, so swimmers could swim safely. There were separate sections for men and women. The original sea baths were built in 1881 and were believed to be run by Polly...Read more
Waverley House
Waverley House Waverley House and family Waverley House after 1939 bushfire Located at the corner of Deans March Road and Waverley Avenue, overlooking the Erskine River, was built in 1881 for Simon Staughton. The house was bought by the Lascelles family in 1908, then by Miss Cecily Lascelles, and after her death, Miss Hilda Lascelles...Read more