Failford is a locality set amidst pleasant countryside, but dominated today (2019) by large lot residential subdivisions. Perhaps not historically interesting? But, then again, the street names – Bullocky Way and Mill Lane – might give an inkling that things used to be very different…
A thriving settlement grew up around the timber mill established by John Breckenridge in the 1880s. This community was named Failford after a village in Scotland which had family connections. Although not officially proclaimed a “village” it came to posses all the village attributes one might expect such as a school, church, post office, shops and recreation facilities.1
As an adjunct to the timber mill, the Wallamba River provided an opportunity to build the boats required to provide a ready and reliable source of transport for the milled timber. The ‘Jap’ was one such vessel constructed at Failford, initially to service the hardwood trade with New Zealand.2
Failford House, a fine California style bungalow on Failford Road was built for Wylie Breckenridge circa 1920 and was designed by architect James Thomson Chambers.3 Also of interest is the two storied house nearby built by Henry Breckenridge as a replica of his wife’s former home in New Zealand.4
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 The History of Failford and the Wallamba River District written and compiled by Daryll (Dick) Moran 1987
2 Ibid.
3 James Thomson Chambers: a small architectural history by Heather M Chambers 2006
4 The History of Failford and the Wallamba River District written and compiled by Daryll (Dick) Moran 1987
