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Sunnyside is built on the site of the original Pearce Bros. store and incorporates some of the original store buildings which were built for Mr Thomas Pearce Senior in the early 1850's.
In 1881, his two sons Thomas George and Ebenezer entered the family business and relocated the store to a building in main street near the Court House. It was at this time that the old store was turned in to a residence for Thomas George and his family with extensions to the front section of the house and the addition of a bay window to the west wall. Ebenezer built the house next door to Sunnyside and named it Waratah. The two families lived side by side and shared an extensive rear garden complete with summer house and a croquet lawn.
By the close of the decade, in addition to Pearce Bros. store the entrepreneurial brothers had opened a brickworks, a chaff mill and a chicory drying kiln which still stands today in Taverner street. They also farmed lucerne and later on opium for a pharmaceutical company.
T.G. Pearce was described a being a Farmer, Businessman and Town Worthy and was known locally as T. G. Pearce. He was a founder of the Presbyterian Church in Bacchus Marsh, a trustee of the Mechanic's Institute and Chairman of Trustees of Maddingley Park, a member of the Water Trust, the captain of the Bacchus Marsh Troop and a leading light in the United Churches Literary and Debating Society.
Sunnyside is an Italianate triple-fronted brick house in Flemish bond, with cream dressing and base rendered. The left hand side and side rear bays are set forward and the veranda extends around the angle between them. It has cast iron valance, brackets and posts. The left hand bay ends in a canted bay window, reflected in the roof shape. Wiindows are tripartite with those in the projections having sashes separated by brickwork. Chimneys have classical mouldings with brackets and dividers. Servents bells are located adjacent to most fireplaces.
Where the ruins of the stables stand on the property was the site of the first Church which was built in 1854 by the Pearce family. It consisted of a sandstone building. In 1882 the Church was pulled down and all that was left were two levels of foundation stones which became the foundations stones for the Brick Store and Stables.
The property has had just 5 owners in its 155 year history. It has been fully restored to reflect the charm and period features of a bygone era whilst incorporating the conveniences and amenities of modern day living.
The two photos below are copied from steroscope cards. They were taken in 1901 by T.G. Pearce and are both labelled 'Sunnyside'. The first photo shows Sunnyside from the street with a Plane tree which is still standing, in the Avenue of Honour. The second photo shows an unkown child with a family pet Curlew named Curly. If you look closely you can see what looks to be bunting on the front fence. This leads us to believe that the photo was taken during the Federation celebrations.
Copies of other photos taken by T.G. Pearce in 1901 are in an album in the guest room.
 1901 Sunnyside - Photograph T.G.P.
 1901 Sunnyside - Photograph T.G.P. |
