Agnes Jones House

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Three bay high victorian merchants suburban residence. Two canted bay windows rise two storeys and corbel out to a flat facade, under a projecting pitch from the slate roof. The central entrance bay also projects from the facade. Pilasters surmounted by a ball decoration project further to form a canopy over the door. A moulded string course at first floor cill level is repeated under the bay windows of the ground floor. A plinth course in plaster is applied at the base. Plaster quoins are applied to the original corners of the house. The main walls with exception of the bays, are rendered with a large texture harling between smooth plaster details. The bays are all in smooth render. Timber brackets under the soffit of the gables replicate the pattern of exposed rafter ends along the eaves. Exterior alterations since the 1960’s include a flat roofed storage and plantroom extension to the kitchen return and a steel fire escape staircase.

Historical information

Built by Mr Eaton who was a successful baker in Londonderry in the late 19th century. He was an amateur architect as well as a professional business man and designed his own bakery building (now gone) on Duke Street. He designed this house in the 1890’s as his residence. In 1946 the house and associated lands were purchased by the Ministry of Health and Local Government as a site for a new ‘Provincial Hospital’ The building has been in use as a Nursing Home since the opening of that hospital in 1960.

Reference:
Cahall Dallat Altnagelvin 30 Glorious Years
Eaton Family

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Typical High Victorian businessman's residence of which there are many examples. This one is worth recording as it is the work of an enthusiastic amateur architect / builder of the period.