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Built in 1893 by Walter Fankhauser, Strathdon is a 6-acre site that includes the original cottage and orchard from one of Whitehorse’s early settlements.
Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct, located in Forest Hill, Victoria, has a rich history dating back to the 1890s. The property was originally developed as a commercial orchard by William John Fankhauser. The homestead itself was constructed in 1893 and later expanded in 1918 by the Matheson family, who continued to operate the orchard until World War II.
The property was purchased by the Matheson family in 1914 and developed over time. At its height, the Strathdon Orchard was 37.78 acres in size and grew apples, pears, cherries, apricots, and plums. Fruit varieties no longer grown were also planted, such as Josephine apples, Winter Coles, and Winter Nelis pears. It operated as an orchard until the 1930s and was acquired by Council during Bicentennial celebrations as an asset of historical and cultural significance.