JOSEPH GOBLE'S STEAM FLOUR MILL SITE
75-77 GIPPS STREET PORT FAIRY, MOYNE SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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JOSEPH GOBLE'S STEAM FLOUR MILL SITE - History
Joseph Goble was a mill engineer and flour miller who arrived in Port Fairy in the late 1850s. In 1860 he took over the operation of a grain gristing windmill and 1/2 acre property on the north-west corner of Albert and Bank Streets. Two years later he became the operator and manager of the large Rosebrook Mill situated to the north of Port Fairy township on the Moyne River.
In 1866, Goble purchased a waterfront property of the western bank of the Moyne, with frontage to Gipps Street. By the end of the year he had constructed a large bluestone steam-driven mill and associated store and cottage. It opened for business as "Joseph Goble's Steam Flour Mill" equipped with "all the most up to date and efficient milling devices". The location, directly on the waterfront, enabled Goble to receive grain and ship flour to market easily and cheaply.
Goble occupied the property and conducted the Mill until 1871, when he leased the cottage and mill operation to Mr William Horsley. After some unsuccessful attempts to sell in 1876 and 1881, Goble carried out some modifications to the mill building, including erecting a brick facade. In 1891, the Mill was damaged by fire, and contemporary reports suggest the operation may have been completely destroyed. The extent of the damage was attributed to a lack of fire-fighting personnel and equipment in Port Fairy. In 1913, the property was sold, with the mill building described as being in a ruinous state. By 1919, it had been repaired and opened for business as the Port Fairy Cheese and Butter Factory Pty Ltd. This company closed in 1939, and five years later the property was sold to a trucking company and used for warehousing.
The mill building was purchased and converted in the 1990s for operation as a bed and breakfast.
JOSEPH GOBLE'S STEAM FLOUR MILL SITE - Interpretation of Site
With regards to the original flour mill, it is still standing but was rebuilt in 1914 when it was converted to a butter factory. It has also most likely been repaired throughout the 20th century. There is a short 5 metre expanse of open grassed ground between the rear of the building and the river wall.
The current river wall may be based on the original wall associated with the Mill. Pile stumps of earlier wharves and accumulated cultural deposits within the river sediments close to the seawall are likely to be present
JOSEPH GOBLE'S STEAM FLOUR MILL SITE - Archaeological Significance
The archaeological significance of the Gobles Steam Flour Mill site lies in the ability of the remains to inform about the workings of the Mill, in particular the arrangement of ancillary structures associated with the industry especially the steam engine. Such information would provide insights on the efficiency and scal of the operation over time.
As the extant building has been repaired over time, it is likely that the presence of underfloor deposits from the 19th century would be localised. The foundation trenches of the brick building adjacent to the former Mill would have removed any earlier archaeological remains. However the relatively undisturbed ground level between the buildings suggests that eralier features associated with the Mill may have survived.
The footings of the light brown building occupying 79 Gipps Street would have had a large impact on previous features on the site, however the large grassed yard between the house and river appears largely unmodified and so archaeological remains associated with the use of the site in the latter half of the 19th century are likely to be present. Recently constructed units now occupy the northern portion of the grounds of the former mill. The driveway and surface levels are substantially lower than the road level and the yard level of 79 Gipps Street. This indicates that any archaeological remains in this allotment would most likely be infrequent and localised.
PIle stumps of earlier wharves and accumulated cultural deposits within the river sediments close to the seawall are likely to be present.
JOSEPH GOBLE'S STEAM FLOUR MILL SITE - Historical Significance
The Gobles Steam Flour Mill was a successful operation in Port Fairy and represents the function of ports as processing areas for raw produce grown in the hinterland around the town. Joseph Goble, prior to establishing the mill was an operator and manager of the large Rosebrook mill situated to the north of Port Fairy township on the Moyne River.
Heritage Inventory Description
JOSEPH GOBLE'S STEAM FLOUR MILL SITE - Heritage Inventory Description
The site is occupied by the original 1860s Mill (75 Gipps Street) which fronts the street and occupies the bulk of the allotment. Adjacent to the northern side of the building are two smaller red brick buildings one of which has two storeys. The former grounds of the Mill to the north along the river bank are occupied by a number of buildings: a light brown brick house, and a set of recently constructed low rise units with a steep driveway.
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EMOHVictorian Heritage Register H0252
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FORMER ST ANDREWS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND MANSEVictorian Heritage Register H0850
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GUNS AND EMPLACEMENTSVictorian Heritage Register H1504
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