Lobb's Cottage (1879)

This section was originally owned by early settler Peter Elliot, and then subdivided into smaller lots in 1879 as part of the 'Westown Subdivision' - this section was subsequently purchased by J. Lobb (probably either James or John Lobb) in 1879 (conveyance dated 20 November 1879, although Lobb likely occupied the section slightly earlier).

In an article describing the Westown Settlement in the Taranaki Herald on 28 October 1879, it was reported that:

"Mr. Lobb, another industrious settler, is fencing in five acres, and has a house on the land nearly finished. He is having a ditch and bank fence put up to face the road, and where the sods have been taken from to form it, the depth of black earth exposed is more than a foot down from the surface"

The original front section of this small cottage is characteristic of early New Plymouth homes. The use of board and batten cladding is characteristic of central New Plymouth cottages constructed up until about 1870. However, in country areas surrounding New Plymouth, it seems vertical board and batten cladding was used for smaller cottages up until the 1880s.

The chimney constructed of Taranaki andesite is characteristic of early New Plymouth buildings constructed in the 1840s and 1850s (i.e. Moturoa Mission House, Fishleigh Cottage, Devonport Cottage), after about 1860 brick appears to become the preferred material for chimney construction in New Plymouth - although andesite was probably still used until the 1870s-80s for smaller/cheaper dwellings. The original chimney adds significant value to this building - usually they have been demolished.

Constructed on a hillside, the cottage also has a basement underneath. The basement is located underneath the southern end of the original rear lean-to, and the walls (which also form part of the foundations), are constructed of stacked Taranaki andesite - an extremely rare feature. It is known that this area was used in later years for the storage of milk, although it was possibly the original dairy on the farm. 

Substantial additions have been made at the rear of the cottage - although the original front section is largely intact. 

The original cottage is clearly present on SO1047, surveyed in 1899. DP958, surveyed in 1896, shows Joe Lobb as the occupier of the cottage.

Located on Section 16 of the Westown Subdivision (Part 25 Grey District) - see Taranaki Land Deed Index I14 page 585.