aquilareen
Semaphore "Holmwood"
Built 1895 for Dr Henry Charles Curtis, architect E G Collins. Curtis moved in Jan 1896 naming his house “Holmwood”, his wife, Fanny, died 2 weeks later. After his death Feb 1899, the house was sold to Dominican nuns as convent & school. It was used for classes until a separate school-church was built 1903.
“Dr. Curtis has Removed to his new residence, Military-road North, Semaphore.” [Register 6 Jan 1896 advert]
“CURTIS.— On the 17th January, at her residence, Holmwood, Military-road north, Semaphore, after a lingering illness, Fanny, wife of Henry Charles Curtis, surgeon, in her 69th year.” [Register 18 Jan 1896]
“a contract to build a house on the Military-road, Semaphore, for Dr. Curtis and signed by plaintiff and the doctor, dated March, 1895.” [Chronicle 18 Jan 1896]
“Dr. Barratt Hine, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and holds Diploma of Public Health of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons England, has commenced Practice at Holmwood, Semaphore, and Port Adelaide, in conjunction with Dr. Curtis.” [Port Adelaide News 18 Dec 1896]
“Dr. Curtis a few years ago erected a fine house on the Military-road, Semaphore.” [Evening Journal 17 Feb 1899]
“Dr. Henry Charles Curtis. . . was born at Dorking, Surrey, in 1820. He was educated at Harrow, and afterwards became Assistant Surgeon of Harrow School. He obtained has diploma as surgeon when eighteen years of age. At one time he was Honorary Surgeon of the British Lying-in Hospital, St. George's Hospital, and the Royal Pimlico Penitentiary, London. On coming to Australia he settled in Melbourne, and became connected with the Benevolent Asylum. . . Mayor of Port Melbourne and Health Officer of the Borough of Sandridge. He was also Surgeon of the Victorian Naval Reserve. . . His qualification in this colony [SA] was registered on July 1, 1874. The period during which he practised at Port Adelaide extended over nearly twenty years. . . Adelaide Hospital [Board]. . . committee of the Seamen's Union. . . Visiting Surgeon to Estcourt House, Semaphore. . . Port Adelaide Caledonian Society. . . Children's Hospital Board. . . Health Officer of the Port Adelaide Corporation. . . He was predeceased by his wife some time ago, and is survived by a family of three daughters.” [Register 17 Feb 1899]
“Superior Accommodation, front Suite Rooms. Vacant, nr. beach and train.— ‘Holmwood’, Militaiy-rd., Semaphore.” [Express & Telegraph 18 Apr 1899]
“the Dominican Nuns of Franklin-street and Cabra have purchased the residence of the late Dr. Curtis, Semaphore, known as 'Holmwood' and intend shortly to open a high and parochial school.” [Register 25 May 1899]
“Tthe mother prioress of the Dominican Convent has taken from Mr. S. J. Mitchell, the solicitor to the estate of the late Dr. Curtis, formal possession of the commodious and modern dwelling known as ‘Holmwood’, on the Military road, Semaphore. It is intended to use the premises for a high-class school. The main building contains about 18 rooms. . . Additions and alterations to the buildings will be at once made.” [Southern Cross 9 Jun 1899]
“A purchase of ground adjoining the new Dominican Convent at the Semaphore has been made. At present no buildings will be erected thereon, but the site will eventually be used for school purposes.” [Southern Cross 23 Jun 1899]
“The new schools recently established by the Dominican nuns at the Semaphore were opened on Monday, and bid fair to meet with the greatest success. The parochial school will for the present be carried on in the same building until the necessary school has been erected.” [Southern Cross 14 Jul 1899]
“The opening of the building, which is to serve the joint purpose of church and school at the Semaphore, took place on Sunday last. There was a large attendance. The building, which is spacious, includes chancel, sacristy, and oratory for the Dominican Sisters. The plans and specifications of the building were prepared by a member of the congregation. . . What the Sisters of St. Joseph are doing at the Port, the good Dominican Sisters have come, to do at the Semaphore.” [Southern Cross 30 Jan 1903]
Semaphore "Holmwood"
Built 1895 for Dr Henry Charles Curtis, architect E G Collins. Curtis moved in Jan 1896 naming his house “Holmwood”, his wife, Fanny, died 2 weeks later. After his death Feb 1899, the house was sold to Dominican nuns as convent & school. It was used for classes until a separate school-church was built 1903.
“Dr. Curtis has Removed to his new residence, Military-road North, Semaphore.” [Register 6 Jan 1896 advert]
“CURTIS.— On the 17th January, at her residence, Holmwood, Military-road north, Semaphore, after a lingering illness, Fanny, wife of Henry Charles Curtis, surgeon, in her 69th year.” [Register 18 Jan 1896]
“a contract to build a house on the Military-road, Semaphore, for Dr. Curtis and signed by plaintiff and the doctor, dated March, 1895.” [Chronicle 18 Jan 1896]
“Dr. Barratt Hine, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and holds Diploma of Public Health of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons England, has commenced Practice at Holmwood, Semaphore, and Port Adelaide, in conjunction with Dr. Curtis.” [Port Adelaide News 18 Dec 1896]
“Dr. Curtis a few years ago erected a fine house on the Military-road, Semaphore.” [Evening Journal 17 Feb 1899]
“Dr. Henry Charles Curtis. . . was born at Dorking, Surrey, in 1820. He was educated at Harrow, and afterwards became Assistant Surgeon of Harrow School. He obtained has diploma as surgeon when eighteen years of age. At one time he was Honorary Surgeon of the British Lying-in Hospital, St. George's Hospital, and the Royal Pimlico Penitentiary, London. On coming to Australia he settled in Melbourne, and became connected with the Benevolent Asylum. . . Mayor of Port Melbourne and Health Officer of the Borough of Sandridge. He was also Surgeon of the Victorian Naval Reserve. . . His qualification in this colony [SA] was registered on July 1, 1874. The period during which he practised at Port Adelaide extended over nearly twenty years. . . Adelaide Hospital [Board]. . . committee of the Seamen's Union. . . Visiting Surgeon to Estcourt House, Semaphore. . . Port Adelaide Caledonian Society. . . Children's Hospital Board. . . Health Officer of the Port Adelaide Corporation. . . He was predeceased by his wife some time ago, and is survived by a family of three daughters.” [Register 17 Feb 1899]
“Superior Accommodation, front Suite Rooms. Vacant, nr. beach and train.— ‘Holmwood’, Militaiy-rd., Semaphore.” [Express & Telegraph 18 Apr 1899]
“the Dominican Nuns of Franklin-street and Cabra have purchased the residence of the late Dr. Curtis, Semaphore, known as 'Holmwood' and intend shortly to open a high and parochial school.” [Register 25 May 1899]
“Tthe mother prioress of the Dominican Convent has taken from Mr. S. J. Mitchell, the solicitor to the estate of the late Dr. Curtis, formal possession of the commodious and modern dwelling known as ‘Holmwood’, on the Military road, Semaphore. It is intended to use the premises for a high-class school. The main building contains about 18 rooms. . . Additions and alterations to the buildings will be at once made.” [Southern Cross 9 Jun 1899]
“A purchase of ground adjoining the new Dominican Convent at the Semaphore has been made. At present no buildings will be erected thereon, but the site will eventually be used for school purposes.” [Southern Cross 23 Jun 1899]
“The new schools recently established by the Dominican nuns at the Semaphore were opened on Monday, and bid fair to meet with the greatest success. The parochial school will for the present be carried on in the same building until the necessary school has been erected.” [Southern Cross 14 Jul 1899]
“The opening of the building, which is to serve the joint purpose of church and school at the Semaphore, took place on Sunday last. There was a large attendance. The building, which is spacious, includes chancel, sacristy, and oratory for the Dominican Sisters. The plans and specifications of the building were prepared by a member of the congregation. . . What the Sisters of St. Joseph are doing at the Port, the good Dominican Sisters have come, to do at the Semaphore.” [Southern Cross 30 Jan 1903]