Named in the 1870s after the place where owner Isabella Pennock Pierce was born - Woonsocket, Providence Rhode Island. It was later purchased by the Hallenstein family.

A residence built in the Renaissance Revival style for Thomas and Margaret Alston. It was later used as a boarding house for St Michael's Grammar School students.

On 1 Feb 2015, at 8:50 pm, John Blackburn <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.> wrote:

Good morning,

 I am a Perth based genealogist and have hit one of the many genealogical “brick walls” and am hoping you can direct this query to someone in your society who may be able to assist.

 I am seeking information about a property called "Liswillow" in Barkly Street, St Kilda?  

 My interest in this property is that my 2^nd great grand uncle- one Thomas Blackburn, died at "Liswillow"  aged 63 years on 12 Jan 1881. 

 In the late 1800's The Trove newspapers, several people seem to show up as having been either born and or having died there so I wonder if it might have been a small private hospital or perhaps a boarding house. 

 The only information I have about “Liswillow” is that the property was advertised in the newspapers for auction on 19 Feb 1872 when it was described as a 7 room cottage but there was no street number just said it was "near the Junction" and seemed to be a house with a pleasant description and quality furniture.

 Yours faithfully,

 John L Blackburn

Western Australia Genealogical Society Member No 13058

Hello John,

James Bonwick met  Alexander Gillespie on his return voyage to Australia in 1871 and offered him a job at his Hofwyl School, St Kilda.

In 1856 Paul Joske built the first residential terrace east of the Melbourne Town Reserve Boundary by locating 4 houses of the same kind on the East side of Barkly Street at a place best described by 2 Vardy's Survey (Sheet No. 1 N.W. Lots 45, 46, 47, 48). A Tender . . . 3 notice for the. building called by the architects Ohlfsen - Bagge exactly dates the construction, while the Rate Book_listing of 1857 gives some indication of its quality by valuing each house at 150 pounds(when a detached cottage- of 4 rooms might call a value of £50. (See Architectural Index notice Ohlfsen -Bagge 18.11.1856 and Vardy Survey sheets lots 58-65) SEE Howard Raggett pg 46

Response to inquiry Formosa Cottage and Formosa Terrace are on the south east corner of Barkly and Waterloo Streets. Attached is some information at the bottom of which is an extract from Vardy map. Vardy and some rate book extracts suggest the whole was owned by William Derham Clarke, a wealthy squatter related to Sir William Clarke. Liz Kelly for St Kilda Historical Society Formosa Terrace - appears on vardy maps Appears on 1890 MMBW Map Quoting "St Kilda Historical Society Inc." <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;: > You have received an enquiry from the SKHS website. > > Details: > > From: Norma Binding