This is an unusual tuckpointed brick and render residence with bay window and projecting side entry porch. The render mouldings, swags etc have an extremely crisp appearance but appear out of scale with the proportions of the rest of the building. The verandah over the entry is an exact reproduction of the porch creating an unsettling effect. [City of Melbourne, i-Heritage database]
The house was built for Mrs Margaret Henningham who was the widow of Ralph Neppard Henningham. He had died in 1883 at the age of 47 leaving her with several young children. At a sale of her furniture and effects in 1894 the house was described as having a drawing-room, dining-room, breakfast room and six bedrooms. It appears that from that time the house was leased as a boarding house. When Mrs Henningham died in 1906 her address was given as the United Service Club Hotel, Collins Street East although she still owned the Jolimont house.
The house became notorious in 1922 when the child, Alma Tirtschke, who lived at the house with her grand-mother was murdered in the city whilst on an errand for her grand-mother. The case became known as the Gun Alley Murder and was the inspiration for the series of paintings known as the School Girl Series by Charles Blackman.
NB The street numbers changed c.1955. The old number for this house was 10.
1889-1906: Mrs Margaret Henningham, hotelier
Burchett Index of City of Melbourne Intents to Build: 8 May 1889; Reg No 3877
The Age, 22 Sep 1894, p2