Early Residents - Ernest William Cansdell

Cansdell, together with Austin Chapman, was the owner of 28 acres of land subdivided as the Blue Mountains Estate. Ernest is thought to have built the home now named Banool c1908, which is still located at Martin Place, Linden. The home is referred to on subdivision plans of the time as ‘the bungalow’.

      

In January 1914 the Nepean Times reported that he had a successful land sale at Linden, and that property agent Mr J.T. Wall purchased the home for Mr J.J. Anderson.

       

Cansdell, born in NSW c1863, married Charlotte M. Hyland in 1888, and the couple had several children.  He died in 1933.

       

Charles Stuart Cansdell, a city magistrate and acting judge of the Western Districts in 1884, is thought to have been related. Other city magistrates of the time were Thomas and Alfred Broughton, and Michael and Robert Chapman.  J.J. Anderson, R. Southouse, Frederick Marks & Mr. McIlwraithe were subsequent owners.

Cottages - Banool

The stone cottage currently named Banool that still stands in Martin Place Linden was built by E.W. Cansdell - a storekeeper - of Nimmitabel.  It was built on the foundations of the intended, but never finished, ‘mansion’ started by Sir James Martin.  Part of the foundations is thought to have gone into the erection of the later building.  It is located on part of the 28 acres on land that Cansdell and Austin Chapman jointly owned and sub-divided to become the Blue Mountains Estate.

On sub-division plans the house, thought to have been built c1908, was referred to as the Bungalow.  In 1914, the home is thought to have been purchased by J.J. Anderson.  Subsequent owners were: R. Southouse 1920s, Frederick Marks 1922-1943, and Mr. McIlwraith 1943-1983.  It was one these subsequent owners who altered the name to Banool.

In 1983, the 41 square residence located on 0.6 hectares of land sold at auction for $213,000.
Pamela Smith