MURRAY PLACE CARPARK ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRECINCT
MAROONDAH HIGHWAY RINGWOOD, MAROONDAH CITY
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Statement of Significance
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MURRAY PLACE CARPARK ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRECINCT - History
Both Ringwood and Croydon benefitted from the rail line running from the city to Lilydale. The electrification of the line in the mid-1920s further accelerating the growth of population in the area. Although electrification saw vast improvements, the area was still considered somewhat rural, with Maroondah City falling outside the 1920s MMBW sewage installation, not being connected until 1964 (Peterson and Barrett 2003). A 1885 county plan shows that the land of the now Murray Place Carpark had been subdivided and owned initially by Nelson Polak (Department of Lands and Survey 1885). Several structures are identified on a stylised 1913 advertisement plan of the area (Coghill and Haughton, 1913) (Figure 1) and on Commonwealth Department of Defence maps from 1916 and 1922 of the feature area. The advertisement indicates these structures as weatherboard villas and a cottage. It is uncertain where precisely these buildings are located due to the generalised and stylised nature of the plans, but they were positioned between Maroondah Highway and the rail corridor. A review of aerial photography within the feature extent (LANDATA) from the 20th century shows: • A structure is located at the rear (south) of 86 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, adjacent to the rail corridor, from at least 1945 until 1951. The area was then converted into a carpark by 1975. • Two structures (likely outbuildings) are seen at the rear (south) of 88 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood on aerial photography from at least 1945. By 1956 these were demolished, and replaced by another structure, until they were removed for the current carpark, seen from at least 1975. • A structure (likely outbuilding) is seen at the rear (south) of 90 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, from at least 1945. By 1956 this structure was demolished and replaced by 1975 by the current carpark (Figure 2). A review of current (August 2022) Google Streetview images of the Murray Park carpark show several services running north–south across the carpark; however, as seen from investigations as part of works within the Mooroolbark Railway Station Archaeological Precinct (H7922-0504), despite the installation of services within a carpark there is still potential to unearth archaeological features and deposits (Figure 3).MURRAY PLACE CARPARK ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRECINCT - Interpretation of Site
Potential archaeological features and/or deposits would likely be related to the construction of these historic structures. It is possible that structural foundations in form of possible concrete footings, postholes associated with fencing, and archaeological deposits associated with the use and occupation of these structures exist due to the construction of the carpark sealing any potential remains. These deposits may include building materials (for instance timber and metal nails) and occupational deposits in the form of artefacts, older than 75 years of age (for example ceramic, glass, animal bone, and metal). Due to the asphalting of the carpark, there is potential for foundations and archaeological deposits to be intact, which may relate to both the property and passengers travelling to and from the station and the surrounding areas during the early 20th century.
Heritage Inventory Description
MURRAY PLACE CARPARK ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRECINCT - Heritage Inventory Description
The Murray Place Carpark Archaeological Precinct is located to the south of 86, 88, and 90 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood. Structures to the rear of these properties are now an asphalt carpark, adjacent to the rail track.
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