52 Station Road

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A two-and-single-storey polychrome brick former railway station, now dwelling, built c.1880 and located to the north side of Station Road in Garvagh. L-shaped plan comprising two-storey projecting gabled block and gabled entrance bay with adjoining single-storey rectangular block; abutted at south by a modern two-storey rendered extension (of no interest).

Pitched natural slate roof with terracotta crestings and rendered chimneystacks. Plastic rainwater goods on projecting polychrome brick eaves; cast-iron hopper to rear. Walling is stretcher-bonded red brick on a chamfered plinth with cement pointing and blue brick banding; cavetto-moulded yellow brick banding and dog-tooth course under eaves. Windows are replacement timber casements throughout in chamfered reveals with red and blue brick cambered heads and chamfered painted flush sills; surmounted by yellow brick hood mould.

The principal elevation faces west and comprises projecting gabled right bay with a window at each floor. Central gabled entrance bay has window to first floor over modern lean-to entrance porch with slate roof and modern glazed timber doors. Single-storey rectangular block at left has two widely-spaced windows.

The north elevation is blank at first floor; gable of single-storey block has a large replacement timber window in enlarged opening with concrete sill, top section of window reveal has been retained.

The east (rear) elevation comprises flush twin gables each with a window to each floor and with a diminutive window to inner section at first floor; single-storey rectangular block at right has a large glazed timber insertion with double-leaf doors; window at right.

The south elevation is abutted by the modern two-storey rendered extension; exposed section of projecting gable is blank.

Setting:
Situated on a mature site situated to the north side of Station Road accessed by a long tree-lined laneway; at entrance from Station Road are a set of modern square red brick piers with pointed concrete caps supporting modern metal gates. To northeast of the site is a gabled single-storey rendered garden house, much altered but retaining some early twentieth-century detailing such as decorative bargeboards, panelled timber doors and leaded glazing. Entrance at south elevation has porch under slated catslide roof with tripartite timber mullioned windows with top sections opening on a hinge and a panelled-and-glazed timber door. Set of bolection-moulded four-panel timber doors at left in a plain concrete surround with canopy, surmounted by a decorative leaded-and-stained glass transom light. West elevation has two half timber-sheeted doors and a window. North gable has a modern timber door at left. No evidence of former track or platform remaining.

Roof: Natural slate
Walling: Stretcher-bonded polychrome brick
Windows: Replacement timber frames
RWG: Plastic

Historical information

The current dwelling house, dating from c1880, comprises the former station master’s house, station waiting room and ticket offices belonging to Garvagh railway station, a station on the Derry Central Railway which ran from Magherafelt to Macfin Junction.
Garvagh railway station opened on 18th February 1880 (www.railbrit.co.uk) and valuation records list station buildings and a goods store valued at £20 which are shown on the third edition OS map of 1904-5. At the time of the 1911 census, the ‘Station Agent’ was William John Boyle, who lived with his wife and six children in the six-room dwelling which was designated second class.

The valuation was increased to £52 in 1914 and the Station Master’s house was valued separately at £8 from this time suggesting that additions or alterations were made to the station buildings at this period. The fourth edition OS map of 1924-33 appears to show that the station buildings have been extended to the south.

The station closed in August 1950 and in 1955 the station buildings were purchased for £1,150 by James Patterson (Valuation records). The accommodation comprised, a reception, kitchen, scullery, pantry, outside WC and three bedrooms. Water was obtained from a pump and the former waiting room and ticket office were used as a store and poultry shed.

In recent years the house has been extended to the south and it continues in use as a domestic dwelling.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/5/18/1 First Edition OS Map 1832
2. PRONI OS/6/5/18/2 Second Edition OS map 1849-53
3. PRONI OS/6/5/18/3 Third Edition OS Map 1904-5
4. PRONI OS/6/5/18/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1924-33
5. PRONI VAL/12/B/30/12A-F Annual Revisions (1864-1929)
6. PRONI VAL/3/C/6/2 First General Revaluation 1933-57
7. PRONI VAL/3/D/6/3/K/6First General Revaluation 1933-57
8. 1901/1911 census online
9. HB file – 03/04/019

Secondary Sources
1. www.railbrit.co.uk

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An L-shaped two-and-single-storey red brick former railway station, built c.1880, comprises the former station master’s house, station waiting room and ticket offices belonging to Garvagh railway station, a station on the Derry Central Railway which ran from Magherafelt to Macfin Junction. It is now a dwelling, and is located to the north side of Station Road in Garvagh. Significantly modified with two-storey modern extension to south and changes to the fenestration. Although the building retains some quality brickwork and detailing, and is easily identifiable as a former railway station, it has been too altered by various alterations and additions to be considered of special architectural or historic interest.