OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Merricks Beach, 1920s. Otto Washatz boatshed.

DATE1921 to 1925

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONBalnarring and District Historical Society

REG NO.P 0501

HISTORY

Merricks Beach, 1920s. Otto Washatz boatshed.
Otto Washatz was born in Dresden, Germany, came to Australia in 1876. In 1915 he patented a fibrous plaster wallsheet under the trade name ‘Lottoid”. Some of his decorative plasted adorned the Melbourne Public Library, the Town Hall, Spencer Street Railway Station, Melbourne, Austin and Heidleberg Hospitals, Stat Savings Bank in Elizabeth St, Bank of NSW in Collins St, ES&A Bank and the School of Mines Library.
Otto purchased two acres of land at 91 Bayview Road, Merricks Beach in 1923 and planned to retire tther to live in ‘Tusmore’ the house he had built on this property. His wife Ruth decided she did not wish to retire there because of its relative isolation, so only the lounge - dining - kitchen was built at that time in the early years.

SUBJECTS

Beaches, Boatsheds

KEYWORDS

Austin Hospital, Beaches Washatz Otto, Boatsheds, Dresden, Elizabeth Street, Germany, Heidleberg Hospital, Lottoid, Melbourne State Library, Merricks Beach, Spencer Street Railway, State Savings Bank