The property, circa 1905, was first occupied by Dr Docker Read, his wife and three children.

Horsham Historical Society president Eric Butler said the house was also named `Billywing'.

Abbotsleigh private hospital was located next door during the time Dr Read practised from the house.

Mr Butler said the hospital had since been demolished, with the Town House Motel now on the site.

Dr Read retired in 1927 to a property at Harrow, dying of a heart attack in the Grampians in 1931.

Horsham House became home to Dr Marsh Henderson and in 1955 to Dr Mark O'Brien.

Dr O'Brien eventually moved to larger premises with his son Dr Gerard O'Brien in 1978, with the property sold to solicitors Swayn and Associates.

Cathy Mintern now owns Horsham House with her husband Rob.

The Minterns bought the property in 1997 and proceeded to renovate the house.

Situated in Roberts Avenue across the road from Horsham's law courts and police station, Horsham House is now a successful bed and breakfast.

But Mrs Mintern said the house still retained many of its original features.

"Out the back there's a shed in which the stable boy used to live," she said.

"There was a bell which rang when the boy had to harness Dr Read's horses when he went out on a call."

Mrs Mintern said two maids looked after the Read family.

"We had one maid's room converted into a home office. The other has been removed to make way for a set of glass doors," she said.