A Long History…

The Early Years (1872-1932)

Excavation on Vane Hill , 1850’s

In the early 1850’s there was only one villa on Vane Hill Road - Park Hall. Three more villas were added in the 1860’s: Devonia, Fairlight and Stolzenfels.

Vane Tower, as it it known today, was built in 1872 and based upon the style of a property overlooking Italy’s Lake Lugano. Originally semi-detached villas, they were originally named as Pinecliff and Villa Lugano. They were designed to be readily converted into the one residence, if required. Pinecliff contained 3 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms, 2 dressing-rooms, and usual offices. Villa Lugano had 3 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms, 1 dressing room, usual offices and a tower room providing fine views.

In 1874, Villa Lugano's residents were a Mr &and Mrs John Petherick. Charles Paton Henderson JP - who was involved with the formation of the Manchester Ship Canal Company - lived with his son in Pinecliff. He later moved to Didsbury, but died there in July 1889, some five years before the canal opened.

By the early-1900's, Pinecliff was converted into one spacious residence and renamed as Vane Tower. In 1907, a small fire occurred in the drawing room but was swiftly extinguished, but in 1910 the property suffered a lightning-strike.

Vane Tower was purchased by the Blacker family in 1906, and whilst living here - until the early-1920's - they accommodated various political concerns. In 1910, Col. C. R. & The Hon. Mrs. Burn, were resident during the summer months, whilst Col. Burn stood as the Unionist candidate for Torquay.

In 1911, Vane Tower was recorded under the name of Carmen Blacker. George Bernard Shaw, visited Vane Tower, along with Sir Basil Cameron, who arrived in Torquay in 1912, to become the music director at The Pavilion and to conduct The Torquay Municipal Orchestra.

In May 1912, Sir Lewis William Molesworth Bt, - Liberal Unionist Party politician from Trewarthenic, Cornwall - died suddenly at Vane Tower during his visit.

In October 1918, Mrs. J. Greg was using the telephone line that had been connected - Torquay 401 - as she was the hon. secretary to the Women's Party Campaign, part of the Suffragette Movement.

Following the departure in 1922 of the Blacker family, an auction was held at the property on 2nd. & 3rd. May 1923, to clear the 'modern and antique' furniture. 1929, saw Caleb Gaskill Evans with his wife, in residence.