482 Napier Street, is a six room, two storey brick dwelling with all conveniences.
Built in 1889 by William Reynolds and Joseph James Oliver with their construction completed around the middle of the year. On 20 August 1889, the Age ran the advert “FITZROY – to Let, new two-story Houses, Elizabeth-terrace, Napier-st, near Heidelberg rd”. Heidelberg Road later become Queen’s Parade.
Prior to the building of Elizabeth terrace, the site was occupied by St Luke’s Church. Refer to Elizabeth Terrace for the background of this land and building
The park now opposite to Elizabeth terrace was previously a wood market.
Following its establishment, William Reynolds and Emily Reynolds move into the newly built end terrace (484) and Joseph James Oliver moved into 480 (middle terrace). These two builders owned the entire terrace with William owning 484, Joseph owning 482 and 480 and the two of them co-owning 478 and 476. Reynolds and Oliver lived next to each other both here and at 50 and 54 Queen’s Parade for the rest of their lives. They were building partners, but also Emily Reynolds was Joseph’s younger sister.
Joseph rented the house out:
- 1891-1896 – Charles Bowen (Tram worker) lives at the house – he could live here longer, but this is what I have determined so far from the Victorian Rate Books
- 1925 – Ivy Hilda Jessie (Home duties) and William Thomas Elliott (Stoker) live in the house and have additional lodgers James Tasman Knee (Driver) and William McIndoe (Labourer) (Australian Electoral Roll – 1925)