Historical information

Erith Lane would have been named after Eliza Erith, the wife of Thomas Hand of Mountain Grange. The house made of slabs and bark pictured (centre) is where the family lived before Mountain Grange was built. Mabel Hand, Thomas and Eliza's youngest daughter stated that she was born in the bark hut in 1881 and they moved into the new home the same year. Cherry Farm, the roof visible behind the centre building, was the home of William Hand, son of Thomas and Eliza. He lived here with hs wife, Harriet Toghill, before moving to live at Mountain Grange after 1905.

Physical description

Black and white photograph showing a scene under heavy snow. Two cottages and a rooftop visible. Snow laden vines forming the front fence. Taller trees visible in the background. Reverse of photograph has handwritten description by John Lundy-Clarke.

Inscriptions & markings

Erith Lane under snow. House in passion fruit Ivory’s holiday home 1921. Building in centre was Hand’s 28’ by 22’ house of slabs and bark. The first house on top of the whole Dandenong Range built 1871. Large roof behind it was “Cherry Farm”.