A hauntingly beautiful property in Dapto is up for sale, the current owner hoping someone will fall in love with the period cottage as she did 14 years ago.
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After living in one of the Illawarra’s most historic buildings, Shirley West is saying goodbye to number 1 Station Street as it’s time to downsize.
Bought in 2003 for $270,000, the heritage listed property with a dark past is expected to fetch more than double that amount.
The three-bedroom Georgian style home, made of double brick, was built in 1887 next to Dapto train station as the main residence to the station master.
Dapto Railway Station also opened that same year, on the completion of Wollongong to North Kiama train line.
LJ Hooker sales consultant Scott Phillips said despite its place in history there has been no signs of ghosts lurking around the large suburban block.
In January of 1932 the property was the scene of a devastating altercation that would change the lives of the Selden family forever.
Harold Selden, 45, was the station master at the time and lived at the cottage with his wife, Louisa, and their children.
Newspaper reports from the time explain Mr Selden had been struck down with rheumatic fever (acute fever marked by inflammation and pain in the joints) for four months and spent a lot of time in hospital.
Dapto made national news after a harrowing incident one Saturday afternoon where Mrs Seldon, 47, was busy in the kitchen. Her children around to help.
A man wielding an axe suddenly burst into the kitchen, catching the family by surprise.
Mrs Seldon’s eldest son George, 19, grabbed a chair to fend off the attacker by whacking it over his head as he tried to lunge at his mother.
George’s younger siblings watched on in horror, too small to do anything.
The wooden chair bounced off the offender’s shoulder and splintered before he diverted his attention to the teen and struck him with his weapon.
George was knocked unconscious and left bleeding on the floor, leaving Mrs Seldon no time to escape.
She was subsequently struck down with one fatal blow to her skull.
One of the terrified young children ran outside crying for help, drawing attention of the assistant stationmaster who alerted police.
“I don’t know how it happened, all I know is that she is dead,” Harold Selden said upon his arrest, according to The Evening News.
The property is one of several heritage listed in the area with others including Daisy Bank at 262 Princes Highway and Stream Hill at Sheaffers Road in Dombarton.
“I have searched the internet since listing the home as like many I find the history fascinating and have been unable to uncover any past ghost stories,” Mr Phillips said.
“I believe the next buyer will most likely be someone looking for a business premises given the central position and B2 Local Centre zoning of the property. The house also sits on a generous size block which would be ideal for customer parking.”
Ms West has kept the station masters residence looking like a period piece from a movie, including antique brass beds.
Apart from a rear extension in the 1930s and a few repairs the main rooms are original.
In the past she’s opened the home twice to the public during Australian Heritage Weeks with hundreds turning up to see the historic building.
Ms West is the third private owner since Railcorp sold the house in 1996.
Number 1 Station Street Dapto is listed for $650-659,000.