Thomsons Stores
140 Gray St HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire
Gray St Commercial Precinct Hamilton
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Statement of Significance
SIGNIFICANCE: Major keystone building in Gray St streetscape. Strong retailing interests and the longest running department store in Hamilton which has service the region since 1866.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Thomson's Store
140 Gray Street
This building has regional significance as one of the earliest large stores in Hamilton and beyond, described in 1893 as having `the most extensive wholesale and retail trade in the west, supplying every requisite for household, farm or station.' ([i]) The building has historical importance for its associations with the Thomson family, Scots who came to Victoria in 1852 and settled in Hamilton, soon becoming prominent in town affairs. ([ii]) Thomson's iron store was established on its present site in 1866 or earlier ([iii]) and was replaced in 1872 by a stone store, ([iv]) which forms part of the present building. Thomson's is a key building in the Gray Street streetscape. The store expanded in the 1870s, 1880s and later ([v]). In 1937 John Thomson & Co. became a public company. ([vi]) More recently, in 1983-84 an area behind Thomson's was acquired by Woolworth's and a large supermarket and several specialty shops were erected. ([vii])
The existing facade probably dates from the 1880-s expansion. From that time it remains substantially intact. The original verandah was wooden and appears in many early photographs of the street. The present verandah is quite recent. The building is in good condition and is a keystone in the streetscape of Gray Street .
[i] Illustrated Australian News, 1 December 1893.
[ii] Garden, Don, Hamilton, pp 71-72.
[iii] Hamilton Rate Book 1866, No. 89 (Iron store, NAV 180 pounds).
[iv] Ibid, 1872, No. 95 (NAV doubled), 1877, No. 106 (stone store, residence etc., NAV 300 pounds).
[v] Garden, Don, Hamilton, p 72.
[vi] Ibid., p 213; HSA DP No. 220-1 (1939).
[vii] Ibid., p 230, HSA DP No. 220-1 (1990).
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Thomsons Stores - Physical Description 1
MATERIALS:
Roof: corrugated iron
Walls: brick render/face
Dressings: cement render
Plinth: tiles
Windows: timber dhs
Paving: pirelli rubber
Other: modern shopfronts
NOTABLE FEATURES:Stilted arches of windows.Thomsons Stores - Historical Australian Themes
ASSOCIATED HISTORIC THEMES
Evolution of the Town: 1860s - 1890s
Tertiary Industry: Department Stores
Notable men and women: Thomson familyThomsons Stores - Integrity
Integrity: F
Thomsons Stores - Physical Conditions
Conditions: F
Heritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - City of Hamilton Conservation Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard with Carlotta Kellaway & Michael Looker (plus Francis Punch)
Year: 1991
Grading: B
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MECHANICS INSTITUTEVictorian Heritage Register H2171
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HAMILTON BOTANIC GARDENSVictorian Heritage Register H2185
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HAMILTON GAS HOLDERVictorian Heritage Register H1086
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