European House 28 by the Sin Yan Tseng/Fairy Well region of Cheung Chau may have been built in the early 20th century when Cheung Chau was found to have qualities similar to the Peak but at a fraction of the price. There was a flurry of building for missionary societies from 1908-10. Number 28 was certainly in place by the 1930s as photographs attest.
These bungalows were sturdily built because they stood on the higher points of the island for the views and sea breezes, but had to be strong to withstand the typhoon season. This one has what looks like a cement course built on the lower portion of the roof to hold the tiles (and roof) in place.
Like House 2, it had buttressed walls for added strength, built of locally quarried granite, but its verandah with 6 arches was twice the width of House 2. The verandah had sturdy square columns, as less robust verandahs and houses had been blown away by typhoons in the early years.
Windows and doors were fitted with side-hinged shutters. Experience had shown it all had to be extremely strong.
House 28 faced southeast and in an annex at the rear, had accommodation for domestics.
The 1938 list of European owners of these houses has Mr P Hinkey as the owner of this house, who may well have been the missionary Rev Philip Hinkey, qv.
Today there is a more recent (20th century) property on the site, possibly 28 Cheung Chau Peak Road.
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House 28 overview
European House 28 by the Sin Yan Tseng/Fairy Well region of Cheung Chau may have been built in the early 20th century when Cheung Chau was found to have qualities similar to the Peak but at a fraction of the price. There was a flurry of building for missionary societies from 1908-10. Number 28 was certainly in place by the 1930s as photographs attest.
These bungalows were sturdily built because they stood on the higher points of the island for the views and sea breezes, but had to be strong to withstand the typhoon season. This one has what looks like a cement course built on the lower portion of the roof to hold the tiles (and roof) in place.
Like House 2, it had buttressed walls for added strength, built of locally quarried granite, but its verandah with 6 arches was twice the width of House 2. The verandah had sturdy square columns, as less robust verandahs and houses had been blown away by typhoons in the early years.
Windows and doors were fitted with side-hinged shutters. Experience had shown it all had to be extremely strong.
House 28 faced southeast and in an annex at the rear, had accommodation for domestics.
The 1938 list of European owners of these houses has Mr P Hinkey as the owner of this house, who may well have been the missionary Rev Philip Hinkey, qv.
Today there is a more recent (20th century) property on the site, possibly 28 Cheung Chau Peak Road.