Elephant House – Rookwood
This cache will lead you to the Anglican section of Rookwood Cemetery and to one of its grandest buildings. It is tucked away in a quiet area which is not often visited and not readily seen from the roads.
The Elephant House is a brick and slate pavilion built in the Romanesque style. You will find some red, buff, black and green bricks used as decoration. It has an impressive tiled floor which you should visit.
The building’s correct name is the Ornamental Brick Rest House. It was built in 1891 and most likely got its name from the Taronga Zoo Elephant Houses which were built in similar style in 1916. When it was built, Rookwood was a long way from Sydney so shelter for those visiting was important.
The cache will be easily found so take the time to have a walk around the Anglican cemetery. The Rest House is on the outer edge of the Anglican cemetery and links to several lattice rest houses. The house was designed by Walter Hillary Monckton. It was used as the Anglican Office from 1916 until the 1930s when it was reconverted to a rest house.
The Anglican cemetery was laid out by Maiden and you will see the remains of formal and spatial connections, reflecting the more formal view of funerary practices. The Anglican area is close to the remains of the Mortuary Station No 1. You will enjoy looking at the monuments and graves which reflect so much of Sydney’s past. The large trees which include Hoop and Bunya Pines and Cedars of Lebanon are an important part of the cultural landscape.
You might have come past the Devonshire St Gates. These were originally at Sydney's first cemetry, located where Central Station is now. The gates were removed to Rookwood along with numerous monuments and graves about 1888. You are also close to the Serpentine Canal which drains this section of Rookwood Cemetery. This is something of an engineering marvel of the time and has been restored both for its heritage values and effective drainage which it provides.
Several nearby caches will also give you the opportunity to explore the history of Rookwood Cemetery. Enjoy your visit to this important part of Sydney’s heritage.
FTF goes to TARDIS 0061