The house was built for Thomas Y. Harkness. It was built on land bought from Thomas Lambert, who at the time also owned the houses next door at Nos. 53 and 55. The Rate Books to 1885 describe it as 5 rooms. In 1885 the owner and occupier was given as Mrs. Espinasse. By 1890 it was described as nine rooms and still owned and occupied by Mrs. Espinasse. In 1889 Mrs. Espinasse of Jolimont was recorded as having donated one Bennett's wallaby to the Zoological and Acclimitisation Society. In the same year the Argus ran a Board and Lodging advertisement, 'SUPERIOR BED Sitting ROOMS, hot and cold shower; every convenience; two minutes tram. Larnook, 57 Agnes street, Jolimont.' The Argus reported in 1893 that Captain Reuben Mingen L’Espinasse died at the house. His name alternatively appears as Captain Mangin Espinasse, R.N.R.