38 VICTORIA SQUARE

The Department's description

Historical information

The present Victoria Square is compromised of three blocks of dwellings developed in stages between 1882 and 1903, with several detached other properties to the north and south sides added at various stages in the mid to later 20th century. The Square opens off Shore Road, which was cut in 1877 to accommodate the new Warrenpoint and Rostrevor Tramline, and which undoubtedly helped spur the development of this particular part of the village. The first of the three blocks, built in or just before 1882, was the pair of semis to the south-eastern corner, present nos.42-44, originally known as ‘Glenmore Terrace’. This was followed by Victoria Terrace (nos.34-38) on the eastern side in 1886-87, and Albert Terrace (nos.14-22) to the north, between 1898 and 1903.

Victoria Terrace was developed by David Mahood and James McMurray (for more on these individuals see HB16/06/064A-E), but the identity of the architect is not known. The earliest recorded occupant of no.38 was Elizabeth Fawcett in 1887 followed by James Wade MD. Dr Wade died some time prior to before 1901, and in the census of that year his widow, Elsie, is noted as noted as occupying the house with two domestic servants and a guest, Sarah Parker. Oddly, however, the building itself is noted as a ‘2nd class’ dwelling.

James McCutcheon is noted as the householder in 1914, ‘Miss McFadden’ in 1917 and Dr. J.W. Erskine and Marian and Francis Erskine in 1921. The sequence of occupation as recorded in the valuation books for the next few years is somewhat confusing. Miss McFadden is recorded again in c.1920-21 and Hugh Graham in 1925, with the Erskines back again by 1927. James Arthur Mayne was living there in in 1935, Jessie K. Mayne in 1949, Sydney Donaldson in 1966

A May 1922 newspaper advert for the sale of two houses in the terrace (although, unfortunately we do not know which two), describes both houses as containing ‘drawing, dining and morning rooms, bathroom, WC…[and] several large and airy bedrooms. There is a small garden plot in front of each house, and a good yard with outbuildings to the rear.’

References - Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL12B/19/21A-F, Rostrevor ED - 1865-1929
2 Census of Ireland - 1901, 1911 (online accessed 24 Sept 2021])
3 OS map, Co. Down sheet 54 - 1902
4 ‘Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory’, (Belfast, various dates) - 1877-
5 OS map, Co. Down sheet 54 - 1919
6 'Belfast News-Letter' - 22 May 1922, p.7
7 PRONI VAL3C/4/23 First General Revaluation of NI, Rostrevor ED - 1936-57
8 OS map, Co. Down sheet 54 - 1950
9 PRONI VAL4B/3/81 Second General Revaluation of NI, Rostrevor ED - 1956-72
10 OS map, sheet 277 - 1979