This dwelling, designed by Herbert Baker in 1902 as his own home, is an important component of Parktown's surviving architectural character. It makes use of natural building materials and its fine detailing makes this a splendid example of Arts and Crafts movement craftsmanship in South Africa. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 22 February 1968.
Baker's design for Stonehouse was completed at his Cape Town office in March 1902 and shortly after he was seeking a Building Contractor. He duly signed a contract with John Barrow (Sen) and Albert (Bert) Barrow to construct the House. During 1902, Stonehouse duly grew out of the rocky ridge between what is now Rock Ridge Road and The Valley Road.
The House was in Baker's own words; 'planned round a long-windowed hall with two-storied wings of small rooms on either side; and to the north, facing the kopje-terrace, the sun, and the distant view, there is an arched stoep, and forming the entrance to the south a white-columned atrium under and through which steps lead up from the front door in the rock wall below.'
A small Stable block and a separate Staff Quarters was constructed simultaneously with the House, but far removed in the South West corner of the property. At an early date the Stable block was converted for use as a Garage.
Baker did not move into Stonehouse until 16 March 1903 when it was finally completed and his Furniture was sent up and installed. This was augmented by pieces he had ordered from Mrs. Keightley in London, which he specified to be 'very simple, as cheap as possible, strong for rough wear and carriage and very well seasoned to stand exceptional Dry Inland Climate.'
When the imminent English designer Charles Robert Ashbee, a prime mover of the Arts and Crafts Movement, visited Stonehouse in July 1903, he was moved to write in his journal:
'I wipe out of my mind all the foolish preconceptions as to the ugliness or vulgarity of upstart Johannesburg for I have today seen Baker's buildings, the red sandstone crag sites, the fir and cypress, and the rolling purple hills of the Rand. Baker's own house…springing like a jewel castle from out of the rock, its arcades, and stoeps, its red shingle roof, the open court, the white columns and pergola with the circular garden below…is one of the most exquisite pieces of architecture I have seen. Baker had built an undoubted masterpiece.'
Selected extracts from Baker's autobiography record his memories of Stonehouse and 'The Kindergarten' :
"... And I felt at first rather restless and unsettled in the haphazardly developed mining town. But then there came to my rescue Lionel, Curtis, a prime mover in all good ventures....
[Curtis] had bought two acres of land on the edge of a virgin kopje north of the town and the mines; then there was nothing on it but a blockhouse and barbed wire. It overlooked a young plantation of firs and gum trees; and beyond the summer green and wintergold of rolling grass-veld and away to the distant faint blue Magaliesberg Mountains, "Rampart of slaughter and peril" where the war still raged. We agreed that I should take over the land and build a house there in which he and I and other friends could live together. I willingly took on the venture; and the Stonehouse, the first "Moot-house" grew out of the rocky ridge....
Those members of the this band of brothers [The Kindergarten] who lived with me at Stonehouse were Curtis, who came to be called the prophet, [Lio]Nel Hichens, Feetham and John Dove, all of them engaged on municipal service.
My wife and I lived very happily at Stonehouse and its kopje garden, and our three sons were born in the house. The Duncan's who lived there when I left for New Delhi and England, had also three sons; so we called it ‘the six-boy kopje.'"
Geolocation
-26° 6', 28° 36"
Further Reading
https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/sir-herbert-baker