This week we return again to Laidlaw Street. As outlined last week this area is an attractive quiet location close to schools, recreation areas and the Central Business Area; adjacent to the Grange Burn. My interest in the history of an area is often piqued by the name of the street or the nomenclature of associated public spaces and natural assets such as the Grange. That has been the case this week as the Laidlaw name and the title of the Grange both have strong Scottish connections. In the mid 1850’s and toward the end of the 19th Century Scottish heritage in the Western District was exceptionally strong. The original Laidlaw family, whose dynasty was sired by David Laidlaw, came to the area in the early 1850’s establishing a large General Store in Gray Street.
David Laidlaw and his family prospered and on his death in 1913 his obituary recorded his many involvements in the community and generosity of spirit. He was noted for his “keen business acumen and the strictest integrity” whilst being looked upon as a “chief of the society”, a reflection of his Caledonian Heritage and establishment of the Hamilton Caledonian Society in 1903. His community activities were varied and he was mayor of the developing township on 5 separate occasions in the late 1800’s. When he died in 1913, he died at his home St Ronans, that lovely bluestone pile in Dryden Street behind Melville Oval.
His 9 surviving children all contributed to the Hamilton community in various ways particularly through his son, Dr David Laidlaw who married Mary Learmonth. The couple contributed much to Hamilton in many areas with Mary continuing the philanthropy after her husband’s early death. All of this means I have no idea who Laidlaw Street was named after. Perhaps David Senior, perhaps his son or perhaps Mary was the one in the frame when the town fathers were naming streets in this developing area in and around the 1950’s or so.
In any event the street is an attractive mix of old and new with many well established properties on both sides. The one thing they all have in common is that they are substantial blocks with the one we are looking at this week in the area of 900 square metres. That is something to consider carefully these days when many developments are in the region of 450 or so. At 450 square metres there is no room for children to do anything other than sit in their room on some sort of electronic device training their brain to follow singular actions determined by the algorithm. Here is a home with an opportunity for your children to exercise free spirit in an attractive environment with other like minded individuals.
The home at number 28 is a substantial weatherboard with an attractive street presence being set back a little on this block that slopes gently from the rear to the street. The home is painted white with a grey iron roof and the aluminium windows mean that external maintenance is substantially reduced. There is a large carport on the right hand side of the property at the end of the wide concrete drive and at the rear of the carport there is secure fencing complementing the secure boundary fencing making the block ideal for the security of smaller children and their pets.
The sheltered front door leads into a smallish tiled foyer opening into a large living dining space along the front of the home. A wall at the rear of this room has been opened out to bring in the separate kitchen creating the casual family living space that families enjoy in these times. The kitchen has a floating floor, ample cupboards, a double sink and good gas range. It overlooks the covered rear outdoor living area and rear garden making it an excellent location for the supervision of the younger children when they are outside. A large laundry is adjacent to the kitchen and this leads through a large glazed sliding door to the covered outdoor living.
A short hallway leads from the living area and turns in an L shape meaning the family bathroom is surrounded by the three double bedrooms in this home. The main bedroom has been put at the rear of the property and is fitted with built in wardrobes. All of the bedrooms are carpeted with good window furnishings. There is a ducted heating servicing the whole of the home with a split system is in the family living area. The ceiling fans throughout the living and bedrooms spread either warm or cooling air throughout the property.
The property is presented in good condition throughout having been recently repainted inside and the bathroom has been modernised providing a separate bath, larger than average shower and toilet in a tiled and easy clean environment. There is also a good sized garage/workshop.
The legacy of families such as the Laidlaw’s are apparent throughout this community. Here is an opportunity for you to benefit from the solid foundations they have laid and, perhaps, lay some of your own.
28 Laidlaw Street, Hamilton. Price $399,000.00. Contact Bridget Fry at Southern Grampians Livestock and Real Estate, Thompson Street, Hamilton on 55 711404 or 0409 711712
