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The signalman's house


In Devonport halfway up Mount Victoria is this cute little period house now named "The Michael King Writer's Centre". Michael King was New Zealand’s most prominent writer of non-fiction. He had a great sense of humour, huge curiosity, and a scholar’s intensity, but always with a popular touch.



His histories appealed, beyond any specialist audience, to the wider New Zealand public. This house can now be used by writers who need a quiet place to work.  Originally this house was known as "The signalman's house" though. The first signalmen lived in a tent or a raupo hut on the top of Mt Victoria and later a house was built on the summit. The summit was fortified because of the Russian scare in the 1880s and it was eventually taken over by the Defence Department. In 1898 the Auckland Harbour Board decided to build a new house for the signalman on the current site, about half way down the southern slope of the mountain. 

The first signalman started in 1842 and the 4th and final one lived here in 1934. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My Corner of the World and Wordless Wednesday.

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Comments

Lydia C. Lee said…
That's really interesting. Hoping to get there soon #WordlessWednesday
11 May 2021 at 08:37
Fun60 said…
I wonder if I could pretend to be a writer and spend some time in the house.
11 May 2021 at 09:50
NatureFootstep said…
a very interesting story. And a beautiful house. :)
11 May 2021 at 10:10
Susan Heather said…
I must walk up Mt. Victoria if I ever get back to Auckland.
11 May 2021 at 10:35
Veronica Lee said…
I enjoyed the story, Amy. That is indeed a beautiful house.
11 May 2021 at 16:02
At Home In New Zealand said…
Those old houses have a character all of their own :)
11 May 2021 at 20:35
NCSue said…
I confess my ignorance - what does a signalman do?
It looks like it would be easy to find one's muse and being to craft a lovely story in that house.
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/05/ebony-ivory.html
11 May 2021 at 23:22
local alien said…
Was that the Michael King who wrote about NZ and Maori culture? I have many of his books. He was one of my tutors at Wellington Polytech half a century ago
12 May 2021 at 02:06
gz said…
That must be an inspiring place to stay and work..the house and the view
12 May 2021 at 03:21
Tom said…
...it's a beauty! I like the trim on the porch, thanks Amy for sharing.
12 May 2021 at 05:16
Bill said…
The house is beautiful and a great getaway for a writer to go and write.
12 May 2021 at 07:58
Amypie71 said…
So a signalman is a person responsible for sending and receiving naval or military signals like from the top of the mountain so boats etc can see it.
12 May 2021 at 08:15
Amypie71 said…
I think so, I need to check out his books I think.
12 May 2021 at 08:15
William Kendall said…
I like the architectural style.
12 May 2021 at 14:04
Iris Flavia said…
Very interesting and a great place now for others, kind and clever.
Can you recommend "Penguin History of New Zealand"?
12 May 2021 at 17:26
PerthDailyPhoto said…
What a perfect spot for writers to use Amy, inspirational even 💜
14 May 2021 at 04:31
betty-NZ said…
There is so much history here that needs to be re-discovered by those on a journey. Great captures and history.

Thanks for being part of 'My Corner of the World' this week!
15 May 2021 at 12:44
Pisi Prkl said…
Where there´s Russia, there´s the problem.
16 May 2021 at 00:27
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