GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Frankton Junction New Zealand Railways Settlement was established in the early 1920's to provide much needed accommodation for railways employees. The settlement's House Factory was the centre for North Island production of pre-cut, low cost, architecturally designed houses.
The Architectural Branch of the Railways Department was established late in 1919 to design and supervise the construction of what became known as "railway houses". George Troup planned the Frankton settlement with a central square, the Weka St Reserve, which now functions as a public park and recreation grounds. The Institute building, changing sheds and sports association are located in the park This is centrally linked by Kea St to a secondary, semi circular, recreational area containing the pavilion, the former tennis club courts (now a carpark) and bowling greens. A street grid was planned around these two key community spaces and the resulting blocks are split into one-quarter and one-fifth acre sections for the houses. This use of recreational space was loosely based on Ebenezer Howard's "garden suburb" ideology.
The House Factory started production in 1922 and over the following six years produced over 1300 staff houses, of preset design, plus other railway buildings. Many were constructed on site while others were transported to other North Island railway areas. While cutting started in July 1923, the main operations were not underway until 1924-25 by which time about 400 houses were being cut each year. The factory was enlarged in 1924. By 1926 there was a congestion of houses on the racks and some were placed at the disposal of the local bodies. The operation was deemed too efficient. In the factory's last year, 1928, only 50 houses were cut and following the closure of the factory in 1929 most plant equipment was moved from the site.
After the factory's closure, the Frankton Junction settlement continued to house railway employees.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7014
Date Entered
27th October 1994
Date of Effect
27th October 1994
City/District Council
Hamilton City
Region
Waikato Region
Extent of List Entry
This area comprises the land within the city of Hamilton, and the structures on it, fronting Pukeko (Huia) St, Kea St, Weka St, Makomako St, Moa Cres, Kaka St, Kereru St, the east side of Rifle Range Rd and the north side of Massey St. Includes buildings and structures in Frankton Junction area, including railway house factory; factory constructed houses; and recreation facilities for community.
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Area
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7014
Date Entered
27th October 1994
Date of Effect
27th October 1994
City/District Council
Hamilton City
Region
Waikato Region
Extent of List Entry
This area comprises the land within the city of Hamilton, and the structures on it, fronting Pukeko (Huia) St, Kea St, Weka St, Makomako St, Moa Cres, Kaka St, Kereru St, the east side of Rifle Range Rd and the north side of Massey St. Includes buildings and structures in Frankton Junction area, including railway house factory; factory constructed houses; and recreation facilities for community.
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Cultural/Social: Due to the itinerant nature of railway work, a need for low cost housing developed especially in the years following WW 1. Together with architecturally designed houses, care was taken to provide for the social and cultural needs of the occupants. It was the first time an employer had provided both employment and permanent accommodation on a large scale in New Zealand. State housing was also introduced at Frankton Junction from 1942 under the Housing Construction Department.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical: The Railways Department was established in 1880 but in was not until the late nineteenth century that railways assumed greater importance for transport and communication in New Zealand. A minister was appointed in 1895. The Frankton Junction Railway Settlement was established under the then Railways Minister, William Ferguson Massey and was the largest and most complete settlement in New Zealand erected under a single large scale scheme before the advent of state housing. It was one of ten major North Island settlements. Frankton Junction was chosen as the site of the House Factory because of its central location and the large number of employees resident in the area. The corporatisation of NZ Railways in 1988 saw many of the properties sold into private ownership. CONCLUSION: The Frankton Junction settlement represents a significant part of New Zealand Railways history. It was the first time an employer had provided employment plus accommodation for its staff. Designed by George Troup, the settlement was a forerunner in suburban planning with its low cost, architecturally designed housing together with recreational spaces. The House Factory adds significance to this area. Though it only operated for a few years, it produced most of the houses within the settlement and was the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere at its peak production in the 1920's.
Physical Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: The Architectural Branch of the Railways Department, headed by George Troup, was established specifically for this housing programme and operated from Frankton for 9 years (1920-29). Troup had a significant career with the Railways Department designing many railway stations, one of the most notable being the Dunedin Railway Station (1904-07). He was made a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1907 and was knighted for his services to New Zealand in 1937. The House Factory started its mass production of architecturally designed houses in 1923. Standardised parts were cut, numbered and marked for specific house types and complete house "bundles" were then sent by rail to the various sites near railway stations around the North Island. The pre-cut houses, accompanied by "drawings" covering every facet to aid the unskilled labourer, took 2 to 3 weeks to assemble. Over 100 pre-factory and factory cut houses of low cost, functional design were constructed. The Bungalow style of the timber houses and the variations on a single repetitive house plan make railway houses an important contribution to New Zealand's architectural history. Most of the houses remained unaltered until the 1980's when corporatisation saw many sold into private ownership. The Frankton scheme was a forerunner of modern suburban planning. Technological: The Frankton Junction settlement was the North Island centre of the railways housing scheme with operations on site including the Architectural Branch, the sawmill and the House Factory which began production in 1923. The House Factory was the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere in the 1920's. Houses were designed and cut on site. Some were assembled at Frankton while others were railed to various locations around the North Island. It is a permanent reminder of an innovative and revolutionary concept in New Zealand's industrial heritage. Aesthetic: The Frankton Junction scheme was a combination of standardised house design, grid street planning and the use of large green spaces. Railways architect, George Troup, saw the need for open space and trees etc, near the place of work. He loosely based his design on Englishman, Ebenezer Howard's 'garden suburbs' ideology but adapted it to the Railway's needs.
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Cultural/Social: Due to the itinerant nature of railway work, a need for low cost housing developed especially in the years following WW 1. Together with architecturally designed houses, care was taken to provide for the social and cultural needs of the occupants. It was the first time an employer had provided both employment and permanent accommodation on a large scale in New Zealand. State housing was also introduced at Frankton Junction from 1942 under the Housing Construction Department.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Historical: The Railways Department was established in 1880 but in was not until the late nineteenth century that railways assumed greater importance for transport and communication in New Zealand. A minister was appointed in 1895. The Frankton Junction Railway Settlement was established under the then Railways Minister, William Ferguson Massey and was the largest and most complete settlement in New Zealand erected under a single large scale scheme before the advent of state housing. It was one of ten major North Island settlements. Frankton Junction was chosen as the site of the House Factory because of its central location and the large number of employees resident in the area. The corporatisation of NZ Railways in 1988 saw many of the properties sold into private ownership. CONCLUSION: The Frankton Junction settlement represents a significant part of New Zealand Railways history. It was the first time an employer had provided employment plus accommodation for its staff. Designed by George Troup, the settlement was a forerunner in suburban planning with its low cost, architecturally designed housing together with recreational spaces. The House Factory adds significance to this area. Though it only operated for a few years, it produced most of the houses within the settlement and was the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere at its peak production in the 1920's.
Physical Significance
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Architectural: The Architectural Branch of the Railways Department, headed by George Troup, was established specifically for this housing programme and operated from Frankton for 9 years (1920-29). Troup had a significant career with the Railways Department designing many railway stations, one of the most notable being the Dunedin Railway Station (1904-07). He was made a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1907 and was knighted for his services to New Zealand in 1937. The House Factory started its mass production of architecturally designed houses in 1923. Standardised parts were cut, numbered and marked for specific house types and complete house "bundles" were then sent by rail to the various sites near railway stations around the North Island. The pre-cut houses, accompanied by "drawings" covering every facet to aid the unskilled labourer, took 2 to 3 weeks to assemble. Over 100 pre-factory and factory cut houses of low cost, functional design were constructed. The Bungalow style of the timber houses and the variations on a single repetitive house plan make railway houses an important contribution to New Zealand's architectural history. Most of the houses remained unaltered until the 1980's when corporatisation saw many sold into private ownership. The Frankton scheme was a forerunner of modern suburban planning. Technological: The Frankton Junction settlement was the North Island centre of the railways housing scheme with operations on site including the Architectural Branch, the sawmill and the House Factory which began production in 1923. The House Factory was the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere in the 1920's. Houses were designed and cut on site. Some were assembled at Frankton while others were railed to various locations around the North Island. It is a permanent reminder of an innovative and revolutionary concept in New Zealand's industrial heritage. Aesthetic: The Frankton Junction scheme was a combination of standardised house design, grid street planning and the use of large green spaces. Railways architect, George Troup, saw the need for open space and trees etc, near the place of work. He loosely based his design on Englishman, Ebenezer Howard's 'garden suburbs' ideology but adapted it to the Railway's needs.
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Commercial buildings are encroaching on the area, especially in the north-east corner just outside the historic area boundary.
This historic area was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Commercial buildings are encroaching on the area, especially in the north-east corner just outside the historic area boundary.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Kellaway, 1990
Laura Kellaway, Frankton Junction New Zealand Railways Settlement Conservation Area, New Zealand Historic Places Trust, (1990), (Edited and prepared by Julia Gatley and Paula van Raalte.)
Other Information
A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Northern region office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Information Sources
Kellaway, 1990
Laura Kellaway, Frankton Junction New Zealand Railways Settlement Conservation Area, New Zealand Historic Places Trust, (1990), (Edited and prepared by Julia Gatley and Paula van Raalte.)
Other Information
A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Northern region office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Hall, Community
General Usage: Manufacturing
Specific Usage: Factory/workshop
Themes
North Island Main Trunk Line
Former Usages
General Usage: Accommodation
Specific Usage: House
General Usage: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Hall, Community
General Usage: Manufacturing
Specific Usage: Factory/workshop
Themes
North Island Main Trunk Line
Location
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