Media Release
25 October 2005

Cranwell House up for heritage listing

One of Henderson’s oldest houses is being considered by the Council for a Category Two heritage listing under Waitakere’s District Plan.

Cranwell House, built by Robert Cranwell in 1893, now has its address as 7 Crockett Lane in Henderson but originally it was the homestead for Pomaria Orchards that Cranwell established on 898 acres in Lincoln Road in 1890-1891.

In those days the elegant house was reached by an equally elegant gated, tree lined, avenue.

Today it stands as a rare example of a 19th century two storied villa that features heart kauri floors and sawdust insulation.

In a pioneering initiative that sparked an industry and a Waitakere tradition Cranwell planted apples, pears, peaches and citrus trees. After Cranwell and several others showed the way, fruit growing became a key industry – and a way of life - in Henderson.

Robert Cranwell died in 1916 but his grand-daughter Dr Lucy Cranwell became an internationally known botanist and was for many years botanist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

ENDS

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