In 1922 the State Government closed the reformatory for girls at Redruth in Burra. The Government had already requested that The Salvation Army take over the running of the reformatory and it assisted the Army in its purchase of a 21 acre (8.5 hectares) estate known as Barton Vale. On the property stood the early Victorian, Gothic-style mansion originally built by pastoralist Edmund Bowman. At the death of the last member of that family the contents of the home were auctioned and the building sold to the Army for £2600.

In August of the same year, the small number of girls resident at Burra were transferred to the Enfield premises. Others soon joined them. The Salvation Army's work at Barton Vale was conducted under the control of the State Children's Council and its successor, the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board. The first matron of the new home was Adjutant Ryder and she was assisted initially by three other staff members.

The Salvation Army ran the Barton Vale home until 1947 when the Government resumed responsibility for the reformatory and renamed it Vaughan House. By the late 1980s Barton Vale House was almost derelict. The Enfield Historical Society successfully campaigned for its restoration. This was funded by the State Government which later used the building for offices. The House is now the headquarters of The Smith Family.

Events

? - 1947

Barton Vale Girls Home situated at 20 Walker Court, Enfield. Location: Enfield

1922 - ?

Barton Vale Girls Home situated at Harewood Avenue, Enfield. Location: Enfield