Oh to be loved like landlord David Berry of New South Wales, Australia. While so many landlords (and landladies) are feared and scorned, Berry won the affection of tenants who erected an enormous granite monument in his honor.
Monument to a Good Landlord, image via Wikipedia
David Berry inherited his land, the scenic Coolangatta homestead, from his older brother, the legendary explorer Alexander Berry.
Victorian Cottage in Berry NSW, photo by Tim in Sydney via Flickr
The Coolangatta homestead grew from a community of tenant farmers into a prosperous village. David Berry gave land to several churches and established an agricultural showground.
When David Berry died in 1889, more than 2,000 people poured into
Coolangatta to attend his funeral. The village was renamed Berry in honor of David and Alexander.
Today the area is an historic resort. Many of the original buildings remain:
- The Berry homestead with maid’s quarters and laundry
- The stables and coachman’s quarters
- The blacksmith’s shop
- The prison
- The community hall
- The schoolhouse (now a pottery crafts center)
Sources:
- The Coolangatta Estate by Malcolm Sealy
- The Merchant Adventurer of Fife by Malcolm Sealy
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