Barton House (1904)

This grand two-storied Queen Anne style home was constructed for New Plymouth businessman Eustatius Griffiths in 1904. Griffiths is thought to have named his New Plymouth property 'Barton' after his fathers property in Blenheim, where Eustatius was from. 

Barton House is located on Section 3 of 'Chilman's Extended' subdivision, surveyed in 1903 (DP2097). Eustatius was a partner in New Plymouth firm Bewley and Griffiths until 1906 - Bewley and Griffiths had new premises constructed on Devon Street in 1904, and were also responsible for the sale of sections within Chilman's Extended subdivision.

The home was likely designed by well known New Plymouth architect Frank Messenger, who called for tenders for the construction of a residence for Mr E. Griffiths in June 1904. 

Eustatius Griffiths was also a well-known breeder of Jersey cows, and at the time had one of the largest Jersey studs in Taranaki. Griffiths was also involved in tennis and croquet - the home was suitably equipped with tennis and croquet courts. 

In 1940 the house was sold to a local builder who constructed a number of tunnels on the property to hide his son, an army defaulter. The tunnels were found by later owner, Mr D. F. Sandys Wunsch, who purchased the home in 1951 (Taranaki Herald 27 August 1975). The tunnels attracted many visitors to the property, and mattresses and candles were found within them; they have since been destroyed. 

The house was sold to Mr Bruce Burmester in 1966, and then again to Mr Peter Young, a well known solicitor and golfer in 1974.