The Selwyn district
has many sites and buildings of historic significance. A small selection of the
places open to the public are presented here. Please note that entry is not necessarily
free, sometimes admission is by donation or koha. In some cases, you may need
to make special arrangements to view. Please pay a visit and help keep our heritage
places alive!
Remember to visit the properties in the care of the Historic
Places Trust - you can find out more about those in the Canterbury region by clicking
the map at right.
Coton's Cottage
Cotons Road, Hororata
In 1864 Bentley Coton and his wife bought 50 acres of
land at Hororata on the Canterbury Plains. Coton built a small cob cottage that
originally consisted of five rooms including an attic bedroom.
The cottage
is an example of a typical 19th century dwelling on a small Canterbury holding.
Open: Sunday afternoons except June-August. At other times by arrangement
with the Secretary, Hororata Historical Society, tel (03) 318 6876
The gardens of Homebush, the historic home of the Deans
family date from the 1850s. Homebush Stables have been restored with a museum
and there is an original water turbine.
This was the state's first major involvement in electric
power supply. Three 1500kW machines were installed in 1911 to supply Christchurch's
total power needs. It was opened on 15 November 1914 by Prime Minister Bill Massey
and a regular supply was available to Christchurch in March 1915.
Only parts
of the hydro village remain. Trees from the Coleridge aboretum still form part
of a walk around the area. An early substation associated with the scheme is still
clearly visible from the road at Hororata.
Terrace Station homestead was built in 1853-53 by the
Studholme brothers. In 1862 the property was purchased Sir John Hall (Premier
of New Zealand 1879-82) and is still owned by his descendants.
Learn
more about the historic sites in the care of the Historic Places Trust located
in and around the