Langenbaker House

A memorial to the people of Australia's outback towns, and a graphic illustration of their ways of life and work

The house was acquired by the Ilfracombe Shire Council after the death of the last immediate family member, and is now open for public viewing by guided tour only.

Life for the Langenbaker Family

The house was brought to Ilfracombe in the 1890's by Harry and Mary-Anne Langenbaker, who were among the towns first settlers. The couple raised eleven children in the house. Three daughters married into the Bailey family, prominent carriers and business people in the town. Other children intermarried with other local families, thus creating a network of relationships and friendships.

The couple, and their 11 children lived in the house until 1991, changing little over the years.

Harry plied his trade from Ilfracombe, specialising in long trips to stations along the lower Barcoo and was frequently away from home for many months at a time. His wagon finally came to rest in the 1920's, when modern transport put an end to teamsters. Harry spent his last years in town making butchers skewers and green hide whips.

His wife Mary-Ann was ladylike and dainty, and was an accomplished needlewoman. Many examples of her craft can be seen in the house. She was also a skilled pianist who taught piano to many Ilfracombe children, and whose services were much in demand at the town social gatherings.

The Langenbaker house was a focal point for this network, and afternoon tea under the Langenbakers pepperina tree was a regular weekday event for Ilfracombe.

One child, Les, was blind as a result of an accident in 1921. After this, the house contents were untouched to enable Les to find his way about the house.

The last child of the family, Bernie, was born in the house in 1913, and died there in 1991. After that, the house was preserved as a monument to people like the Langenbakers - the special men and women of Australia who made our nation what it is today.                

Why do the guided tour?

We have it pretty good in this day and age, but back in the old days, specially in the Outback, life was tough. Make sure you do the tour of Langenbaker House just to try and get an idea of what it must have been like, raising 11 children in this tiny house, without modern conveniences.