Situated on an island (now a roundabout) at the corner of Caswell Crescent and Admiralty Avenue, the Summerhouse stands as another example of Henry F Halloran’s construction endeavours during the Great Depression.

Tanilba Bay emerged as the principal focus of Halloran’s stonework and constructions, although similar projects were evident in estates such as Stanwell Tops near Wollongong and Environa near Queanbeyan.

The Summerhouse, a distinctive feature of Tanilba Bay, not only reflects Halloran’s commitment to architectural innovation but also serves as a testament to his vision for Garden City subdivisions. Halloran’s preference for rounded corners in these developments aimed to enhance traffic flow and safety, a design choice evident in structures throughout his estates. This emphasis on both functionality and aesthetics underscores Halloran’s holistic approach to urban planning during a challenging economic period.

Lime is produced from oyster shells in a kiln through a process called “calcination.” Oyster shells that were gathered by convicts from the Tanilba foreshore were heated in a kiln to a very high temperature, causing the calcium carbonate to break down into calcium oxide (quicklime) and carbon dioxide.

Other Summerhouses by Henry Halloran

This is another example of a Summerhouse that Henry Halloran had constructed on his estate in Currarong which is located between Nowra & Jervis Bay on the south coast of New South Wales. This Summerhouse was constructed in 1936.