Tony Watkins

By 1920 the slope rising up from the beach at Karaka Bay had only a few Karaka trees and no habitation. All that changed during the following decade.

The first structure to be built was a boatshed. This photograph was taken in 1921. 

Then a house was built next to the boatshed. This house no longer exists. It was replaced by Beth Leydon's house, which in turn was replaced by Jeffrey Masson's house. 

The first house and boatshed in splendid isolation on a deserted beach. 

Very steep steps provide access up the hill. 

A Victorian picnic party comes down the zig-zag path to enjoy a day at the beach in 1921. 

Framing for the next house is brought down by a flying fox. Initially for the Armstrong/Jordan family this has become the Griffith house. 

The house completed. Although it has been almost completely rebuilt the form remains in 2007 almost exactly as it was in 1922. 

By 1922 the Wynard house had been built close to the 2007 car park. Below it the Bampton house is almost obscured by a karaka tree. A family lived in the boat on the beach. 

The house built for Hettie Schenk, great aunt of Byrt Jordan. This was demolished by the Jamieson's. The photograph was taken 29 October 1924.

Looking over the roof of the Schenk house along the beach to the Bampton bach in 1924. The Lush cottage was demolished in the sixties. 

A similar view from a higher vantage point. The small new bach would eventually become the kitchen of the O'Shea house. 

The big shingle beds providing erosion protection in 1924.  

The boat was blown over in a storm, the familly moved out, and only a few pieces of teak remain, built into Tony's house. The photograph was taken 29 October 1924. The boat was owned by Captain Whitney, who was the previous owner of the Bampton property. It seems that Captain Whitney never actually lived at Karaka Bay.

The Armstrong garage on Riddell Road in 1924. This was built before Byrt Jordan's grandparent's built their house, and it was used for storing oars while people were holidaying at the beach.

Byrt Jordan has the originals of these photographs in an old family album.

He provided the dates.