Mid North Coast Pioneers - Newcastle to Lismore and beyond

THE Oxley family were awarded land grants totalling 5000 acres in the parishes of Mittagong and Berrima.

The first of these grants was made to surveyor and explorer John Oxley in 1823.

It was through this Oxley land that the southern railway was built in the 1860s and the township of Bowral was established on subdivisions of the Oxley estate.

On the opposite side of the railway line from the township, Oxley land stretched from the western ridge of Mt Gibraltar to the Wingecarribee River.

Some of this land was sub-divided for sale in 1880. Five lots, totalling 240 acres, were purchased by John Frederick Holle.

Named Arrenkamp, his land extended from Centennial Rd, across present-day Boronia St, and almost to the top of the Gibraltar ridge.

Centennial Rd was at that time known as the Bowral-Berrima Road, it being the only vehicular track between the two towns.

In the early 1900s Holle's property was purchased by Miss Nellie Brenan and it became one of Bowral's most exclusive guesthouse farms.

From 1948 it was absorbed into the Bowral Country Golf Club.

The following is the story of Arrenkamp and its owners.

Holle, the purchaser of the property in 1880, was a German immigrant. A resident in Sydney's eastern suburbs, his trade was that of merchant tailor.

He married Catherine McElheray at St James Church, Sydney in 1846 and was naturalised in 1850.

Having prospered with his business in Sydney, it seems he, like many others, was attracted by the invigorating Highlands climate. He had a sister living in Arrenkamp, Germany. This may have been his home town or had special significance to him, as he gave that town's name to his Bowral property.

He immediately set about turning the bushland property into a fine country estate. He had the land cleared and fenced, established an orchard and gardens, built a dairy and stables, and erected a cottage residence and out-buildings.

By January 1885 the Arrenkamp estate was sufficiently established for Holle to be advertising locally for "a respectable youth to groom, drive, and be generally useful".

TWO years later Arrenkamp was advertised for sale by auction in the Sydney Morning Herald of 9 March 1887. The agents, Richardson & Wrench, described it as follows:

"Charming cottage residence with 250 acres of park-like land situated on the Berrima Road about one mile from Bowral Railway Station.

The land rises gently from the road frontage towards the back part of the estate, where is found a ridge of rocks valuable in building stones and sand.

The cottage occupies an elevated position and is surrounded by a well laid out garden. It contains entrance hall, six rooms, pantry, kitchen, bathroom, servant's room etc, has verandahs on three sides, and an abundant supply of water.

There is a gardener's cottage and dairy, 3-stall stable, coach-house, barn and other outbuildings. The orchard is of some years standing and the kitchen garden is well stocked.

This choice estate adjoins the well-known properties belonging to Colonel Roberts, A H Maxwell Esq, the Hon F M Darley, Chief Justice, Ben M Osborne Esq, and can be recommended as a very desirable residence as well as a profitable speculation by a subdivision in the near future."

Perhaps due to the 1890s depression, the Arrenkamp estate was not sold. Holle remained in possession and advertised locally in October 1890 for good plasterers, having begun construction of a substantial new exclusive residence.

A uniquely designed, large two-storey building, reminiscent perhaps of structures from his German homeland, took shape. Unfortunately Holle did not enjoy it for long, as he died at Bowral in 1892. His funeral departed from Sydney's Central Railway Station for Waverley Cemetery.

His wife Catherine was named in his will as heir.

The Arrenkamp estate was immediately offered for sale again.

The advertisements described the new building as a two-storey, cemented brick residence with iron roof, containing a large hall, 11 bedrooms, kitchen and bathrooms plus stabling etc at rear, situated on 43 acres of cultivated land and gardens.

As well, the property included 10 other lots ranging from 14 to 28 acres.

The Bowral Free Press reported on 8 October 1892: "Messrs Richardson and Wrench will offer for sale the splendid property of the late Mr J F Holle, Bowral. The property adjoins Centennial Park, and consequently is a nice walk to Bowral. It should prove a grand opportunity for investors."

Once again no sale eventuated and widow Catherine Holle continued in residence with staff including farm hands, housemaid and cook.

In part:

"As a result I went searching Waverley Cemetery for his grave and fluked it walking down one of the roads."