Waupaca, Melbourne Road, Frankston (Victoria, Australia)

[Peter L. Mitchell]

Hi folks.

When they retired my great grandparents moved to Frankston (suburb of Melbourne) and lived until their deaths at a place named Waupaca (Trove articles place it at 494 Melbourne Road, Frankston). Google Maps shows the location at the shops beside the roundabout on the eastern side of Baxter Park. I've tried to find out more about Waupaca -whether it was a collection of houses or some sort of church accommodation - but have been unable to find out anything. I am quite sure that it wasn't some sort of proto-suburb.

If anyone can steer me in the right direction to find out more I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,
           Peter

[majm]

Hi there,

Perhaps this thread would catch the eyes of some regulars with local knowledge if it were moved to the Australia board 

I will ask for it to be moved.

JM

[judb]

There's a couple of mentions on Trove of a "Waupaca" in Wisconsin USA which is obviously not your place of interest.

However, the mentions relating to Victoria seem to indicate that it may have been a house name.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70087797 1910
MRS P. DIAL (Certificated Teacher, Education Department) will open a PRIVATE SCHOOL (Primary, Sub-Primary, Kindergarten). at "Waupaca." Melbourne-road.: Frankston.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/89275252 1915
Death of a Peter DIAL who 'passed away at his residence "Waupaca", Frankston. 


https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225562485 1942
BERLINDA HOSKIN, of Waupaca, 494 Melbourne Road, Frankston, requesting a penfriend
and in 1942 Berlinda joined the Campfire Circle
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/225566825

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70086577 1909
MR and Mrs W. P. Mason intend returning to Frankston, and will reside at " Waupaca," Melbourne road.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/74998919 1929
House for rent

There are some others, if you care to search, but mostly family notices and advertisements for the school run by Mrs Dial

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/114989309
Apparently the USA use of the name is from the Native American -Waupaca signifies "to-morrow'.

Judith

 

[Peter L. Mitchell]

Hi Judith.

Thanks for this. Mary Dial was my great-grandmother and I have seen some of the Trove articles. However, you have put me on to some more, so thanks for your work.

The impression I have is that Waupaca might have possibly been some sort of institutional seniors' residential address, a communal development or perhaps a residential area similar to today's unit developments. It's unusual that Frankston Council apparently has no record of it, yet it appeared in the local papers.

I will post updates when more information is forthcoming. Thank you for your reply.

Peter

[mclachlan]

Hi Peter,
Just looking at the electoral rolls and there was a Marion Smith living at Waupaca between 1917-1928. She is listed as housekeeper (as opposed to 'home duties').  Also a Jessie Shave living there at the same time who was a dressmaker.  I've done a quick look at some other records and it would seem Jessie was Marion's daughter. Do these names mean anything to you?

I also found the following notice in Trove:

SHAVE. On the 13th May at her mother's resi-
dence, "Greba" Melbourne road, Frankston,
Jessie Bernice the dearly loved and only daugh-
ter of Charles Osbourn and Jessie Shave, Webb's
buildings, aged 13 years and 2 months. Interred.

And this article:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65849331?searchTerm=%22webb%27s%20buildings%22%20frankston

As per Judith's post and link, Waupaca seems to have some connection with education and it seems the above people.  More to ponder!

Regards,
Andrea

[Peter L. Mitchell]

Hi Andrea.

Another piece of the puzzle! Thanks for sending the link. I do vaguely recall the Shave name but don't know anything else. My great grandparents lived at Waupaca for several years according to records, but it's very difficult to find out exactly what sort of place it was. Their home address was "Waupaca", 494 Melbourne Road, Frankston. When they moved there in 1909 it would have been basically rural. Now the site is on the western side of a roundabout and has several small businesses operating there.

Trove also shows the following people living there:
Peter and Mary Dial (my great grandparents)
The Shave family you found.
A young girl named Berlinda Hoskins (Weekly Times Wednesday 23 September 1942).
Mr. and Mrs. P. Mason (Mornington and Dromana Standard Saturday 4 September 1909).
My great-aunt's wedding there (Robertson - Dial, The Australasian Saturday 17 May 1913).
The funeral of my great grandfather (Peter Dial, The Argus Wednesday July 7 1915).
Mrs. Mason advertising for a girl to take children out and assist with housework (Mornington and Dromana Standard Saturday 9 October 1909).
Mrs. P. Dial (see above) advertising her private school (Mornington and Dromana Standard Saturday September 17 1910).

This would seem to suggest that "Waupaca" was a fairly busy place with a number of people residing there, and your suggestion seems logical. I'll keep looking and will post if/when I find the answer.

Many thanks,
                    Peter

[mclachlan]

Hi Peter,

Not sure if you have seen these videos or not.  While they don't help with the information you are seeking for Waupaca, they provide a good visual context for Frankston during the different decades and are quite interesting!

Regards,
Andrea

https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Our_Community/City_Facts/Frankstons_Heritage_Videos?BestBetMatch=heritage|8e168698-f3aa-4c4b-89d5-f3648773c670|bd8b025c-07ee-45a9-ba7e-a1da00e5c6d8|en-AU

[Peter L. Mitchell]

Thank you!