Springthorpe Gardens
This small and very attractive park with lush shady trees,
drinking fountain and benches is worth visiting in early spring
when the trees are blossoming. The park was developed with the
purchase of land in 1934 and named after Dr J.W. Springthorpe. On
one corner of Springthorpe Gardens are a pair of old stone gates.
These were the original lodge gates of The Royal Melbourne Hospital
prior to 1860. In 1910 they were presented to Dr Springthorpe, a
doctor at the hospital, who had them erected at his Murrumbeena
home. In the thirties they were presented by Mrs Springthorpe to
the local city council who moved them to their current
location.
The plaque attached to the gates states;
"These gates were the original lodge gates erected at the Melbourne
hospital prior to 1860, and in 1910 were presented to Dr.
J.W.Springthorpe, a physician at the hospital, who had them erected
at his home `Joyous Garge' in Murrumbeena. They were later donated
by Mrs. Springthorpe to the Caulfield city council and installed at
this location on the suggestion of Cr.S.W.Tyers in 1934."
There is something visceral about these stone gates which
appeals to me. I expect to see some form of manor house or stately
home up the crushed rock drive, but alas, it is just the gates.
The cache is a camouflaged small sistema container containing a
log, some small swaps and one of my personal pathtags as a FTF
prize.
FTF honours goes to stemicmitsar