Remembering Victoria House at Woody Point

This unusual home was called the “Ghost House”, “Wedding Cake House” and the “Lighthouse”. It’s been gone more than 50 years, but many still remember it. We take a look at Victoria House.

Victoria House model by Clontarf's Reg Smith. Picture: Dominika Lis

REG Smith remembers the “Ghost House” at Woody Point from his childhood and later, when he would drive past it on his way to work.

He even remembers the morning the 80-year-old landmark, also known as the “Wedding Cake House” and the “Lighthouse”, burnt down in June 1968.

“One day, I went past and it was all ashes. It was a shame. The only thing still standing was the brick chimney,” he recalls.

While he never saw its interior, its unusual design and his interest in local history sparked a six-month building project on a much smaller scale. Reg created a model of the home, actually called Victoria House, using particle board, toothpicks and cardboard. It’s his way of preserving a piece of local history now lost. “I like the old style of it. It’s not something you see — there’s nothing like it in Brisbane. It looks a bit crazy and the last bit looks like it was added on,” he says.

Victoria House, which was destroyed by fire in 1968.

“I had a bit of trouble keeping it to scale, because there were no plans for it.”

Not deterred, Reg used old photographs to work out the scale — starting with the doors and windows. He would love to see the model displayed in a museum or gallery, so younger generations can appreciate what was once a Redcliffe landmark.

Moreton Bay Regional Councillor James Houghton remembers looking through the house when the historical society ran tours for the equivalent of 50 cents.

He says the rooms were tiny and plain, and the verandas made the house seem bigger than it actually was. “There should have been elegant chandeliers and wonderful staircases but there weren’t. I had a picture of it in my mind,” he says.

Cr Houghton remembers reaching the top floor and being able to see across to Sandgate.

The four-storey timber house at the corner of Clifford St and Victoria Ave, Woody Point, was reportedly built for Jacob Pearen by Fountain Pikett in 1882.

Perched on top was a cabin, from which Pearen could look out to sea. He always had a light on, which sailors used to look for.

Victoria House, which was destroyed by fire in 1968.

There are tales of drunken parties for sailors, but these have been disputed by those who knew Jacob Pearen.

He reportedly lived in the house until he died in 1916, aged 78. The estate was left in the hands of the Public Curator but Jacob’s nephew, Harry, who lived with him, remained in the house until his death in 1938.

It was then administered by the Public Curator until its sale in 1951 to Mr C Gattino.

It was owned by Mrs M Griffin-Beale when it came up for auction in 1967. It was passed in and later bought by Mr and Mrs RC Dunstan, who were keen to move or demolish the home and build a new one. These plans sparked public outcry and the Redcliffe Historical Society approached Redcliffe City Council to buy it or help it buy the property. The council even considered resuming the land.

A story in the Redcliffe Herald (June 5, 1968), said the council decided against resuming the land at a special meeting. In just five days, the house would be destroyed by fire in the early hours of the morning.

Source: Redcliffe Historic Houses by P Gee