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Flour Mills, 7-19 McMahon Street, ST ARNAUD
7-19 McMahon Street ST ARNAUD, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE

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Northern Grampians Shire

SD 118 - Shire of Northern Grampians - Stage 2 Heritage Study, 2004

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Statement of Significance
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Statement of Significance

The Flour Mill complex, 7-19 McMahon Street, St. Arnaud, forms an historic landmark in this area of the town. Initially constructed in 1877 (as denoted by the 4 storey brick gabled structure), the flour mill was developed by James Fry and later taken over by James Malcolm. The mill suffered from fire damage in 1898, although by 1899 it had renewed operation. Since that time, a series of additions and alterations have occurred to cater for the growth in the flour milling business, which closed in 1979. It appears that some of the earliest structures and fabric, although damaged by fire and refurbished, are largely intact.

The Flour Mill complex is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. The four storey building demonstrates original design qualities of a rudimentary Victorian style. These qualities include the parapeted gable roof form, galvanised corrugated iron roof cladding, brick wall construction and the regularly arranged timber framed multi-paned windows. Other intact qualities include the galvanised ventilation stacks, door opening on the ground floor and the double narrow window openings in the attic.

Other significant architectural qualities of the complex include the two storey gabled and parapeted additions to the left of the four storey building (with their brick wall construction, window openings, pilasters and door openings), the simple interwar gable roofed structure with its brick wall construction, ridge ventilator, skylights and galvanised corrugated iron roof cladding, and the Barastoc post-war building with its stepped parapet, brick wall construction, pilasters flanking vehicular openings and windows and single door at one end. The towering concrete silos and associated galvanised corrugated iron buildings and structures also contribute to the architectural significance of the place.

The Flour Mill complex is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the development of the James Malcolm flour mill in St. Arnaud from 1877 until 1979, although the manufacture of Barastoc feed stock has continued until the present day. The complex is also associated with James Fry, founding miller, and with James Malcolm, Robert Bodington Pty Ltd, W.S. Kimpton & Sons and Elders IXL, subsequent owners of the flour mill.

The Flour Mill complex is scientifically significant at a LOCAL level. It appears to demonstrate technological processes no longer in use, and has a strong presumption of archaeological research potential.

The Flour Mill complex is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised by the local St. Arnaud community for its former and current contributions as a major industry and employer in the town.

Overall, the Flour Mill complex is of LOCAL significance.

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