All Historic

– Build 1930s – Also site of largest Kauri in area [Rugged Determination, p158] [CHI 3424]

– Heritage station building was originally from Avondale and brought here after a huge effort by the Swanson community.

John Beecher Guy built this shop in 1926 for his sister Charlotte (Lottie). It was called ‘Wendy’s Tea and Candy Kitchen’ and sold Peters ice-cream, soft drinks, aerated waters and tobacco and home-made confectionary (Lottie had taken a course in sweetmaking). Without refrigeration the ice-cream was chilled in a mixture of bought ice and salt. Lottie provided morning and afternoon teas with cooked pies and cakes. She was noted for her home-made Yorkshire pies, which cost 3d and 4d, and were popular with some of the Waitemata rugby team. Later she added a small lending library – her father had Read more [...]

The ‘Weekly News’ reported in February 1901 that James Wilkinson of Auckland, who owned a 24-acre block west of Church Street, “has given a piece of land at Swanson for the building of a place of worship, but it is conditional that the place be erected in twelve months, which is rather hard lines on Swanson… (in October 1901) busy preparations for the erection of a Congregational Church at Swanson is taking place.” The residents of Swanson must have kept to the condition imposed by James Wilkinson as it was reported: “on 29 December 1901 two lady missionaries from Samoa Read more [...]

On 30 April 1895 a petition by 54 Swanson residents (see appendix in Rugged Determination p.165) was presented to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for five acres to be set aside for a cemetery. The land, gazetted in 1896, was situated a short way up what is now known as O’Neills Road. Trustees were appointed in 1897: John Moul, Edwin Freeman, William Hieatt, Lawrence Teirney, Herman Erikson and John Davey (secretary). A few months later, Anthony Christian submitted a tender for the supply of fence material for the site and a grant of £20 for fencing material was awarded. The Read more [...]

– Listed as Historic structure

In 1924 a butchery was established in Swanson by William (Bill) Calvert, who ran a farm on No 1 Road (now Coulter Road). A small shop was built where The Trusts retail shop, Swanson Village Wine and Spirits, is today. In 1935 the Calverts built a new shop on the site where it still is today. The Calverts initially had a slaugtherhouse on the farm and, with the shop, a sound business was established that continues to this day. Bill Calvert was assisted by his wife Julia (nee O’Meara) and was later joined by his son Bill (junior). Currently John Read more [...]

– Build 1930’s ? – Art Deco Spanish Mission residence – Jim West’s home until bought by Real Estate firm – scheduled (UID 64)

Arty Strother ran a garage on this site for almost 30 years. After returning from World War II he bought a house (through the rehabilitation programme) next to the present garage and in 1947 accepted the offer of a job from Doug Mattson who had just built a new garage on the corner of Swanson and O’Neills Rd. After working there for six months he started his own business behind his house. He had started building a shed but before the roof went on he had received a big job for Judd & Harisson Carriers – the gearbox on Wally Read more [...]

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