History
History
John Ainsworth Horrocks was a pioneer and explorer and was the first white man to take up land in the Clare Valley area. He established the township of 'Penwortham', which he named after his home in Lancashire, England.
In 1839, shortly after his arrival in South Australia, he built the John Horrocks cottage. It is generally believed that he built the cottage for his younger brother Eustace who accompanied him on the journey and due to poor health was in need of decent accommodation.
Following the death of John Horrocks during an expedition North in 1846, his brother Arthur who had joined him in 1841, and Gavin Young a 'Surveyor of Lands' became trustees of the Horrocks Trust, which included the township of Penwortham. In 1848 Gavin Young surveyed the township.
The blocks of land were put up for sale, and block 36 where the cottage is situated became the second official Post Office for Penwortham. In the years that followed the cottage had a number of different owners and was used for a variety of purposes such as rental accommodation, and at one stage to house sheep. In 1863 a stone building was added south of the cottage which became a butchers shop. A bakehouse was later situated on the north side.
The cottage was privately owned until sold to Richard Hughes of Penwortham Wines in 1994. Due to its historical significance, the cottage was State Heritage Listed in 1995.
The Mount Horrocks Historical Society, which was founded in 1983 leased the cottage from Mr. Hughes in 1996 and immediately began restoration work with the aid of grants from the Government. It was also successful in having the cottage put on the Register of the National Estate.
With more Government aid through a Regional Solutions Grant and support from the local wineries and traders, the Society purchased the cottage in 2001.
The Society now utilises the cottage and adjoining butchers shop as an Interpretive Centre for display and historical education purposes.Click here for a more detailed account of the history behind the John Horrocks Cottage.