Haunted Williamstown: The Oldest House

Dating back to pre 1842, the house at 43 Aitken Street is one of Melbourne's oldest houses and represents the first settlement in Melbourne. It would have been one of the first houses built, with many dwellings of the period being temporary tents. It is believe to be pre fabricated. During the 1850s goldrush there was a shortage of builders and many people brought their homes from Europe.

The land was first documented in 1837. James Cain bought it in 1841 and then sold it to William Pope in 1842. William and Clara Pope lived here, during which time Clara became a widow and moved out in 1867. In 1878 it passed into the hands of Thomas Pope. By 1890 the house was owned by William Stone. In more recent history the property has been with the Page family since 1964. The current owner, Mr Page has applied for a demolition permit.

I have received many reports of sightings of a woman in white. She is small, frail and elderly and is seen hanging washing on the line (which no longer exists) in the garden and sitting by the fireplace inside. She keeps to herself and seems to be performing her daily routines. We believe her to be Clara Pope, who was one of the first people to reside in the house. Many people have expressed their concern to me over what will happen to poor Clara when the house is demolished. She seems to be very attached to the fireplace so I feel she will follow the fireplace to its new location.

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