Its intimate link with the leaders of BHP and distinguished visitors marks this estate as an important landmark in the growth of our city.

The most famous mansion Bella Vista was built as a residence in 1919 for the manager of Newcastle BHP Steel Works, David Baker.  The American Pittsburgh steel expert had been lured to Australia by BHP in 1912 to install and eventually manage Australia’s first steel making plant.  After extensive study, he had recommended Newcastle for a new steel-industry site over Port Kembla because of the superior Hunter coal and better port facilities.

In Baker’s “Reminiscences of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company’s Adventures in Steel” he writes:

“…late in December 1920 the house was complete and ready for occupancy. While I was resting at Leura, Blue Mountains, Mrs Baker arranged to move our furniture from the Ingall Street house to the new residence. This house was a great joy to Mrs Baker and to me and when the grounds were laid out under the skilful hands of W. Kirk, the company’s gardener, it was very pleasing indeed.”