Factory Complex
8-10 Gravel Pits Road, GEELONG VIC 3220 - Property No 214036
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Statement of Significance
C Listed - Local Significance
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The factory complex at 8-10 Gravel Pits Road is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the establishment of fellmongeries and tanneries along the Barwon River in the second half of the 191h century, all of which were a critical source of Geelong's early prosperity and employment. In particular, this factory complex has associations with H.M. Strahan, William Murray and Charles Shannon, wool brokers and original owners from 1875 when they instigated the initial construction of the buildings, and from 1878 when the existing brick main buildings were built. The complex was originally named Barwon Terrace, but was more widely known as the Clyde Works from the mid 1890s and after the devastating fire in 1900 that resulted in the rebuilding of the complex. The early buildings also have associations with Charles Smith, manager, who was responsible for the fitting out of the original machinery. He took ownership of the complex and had it rebuilt before his death in 1908. The business commenced with Smith's four sons and was known as C. H. Smith and Sons. He employed many of the men from the original company.
Overall the factory complex at 8-10Gravel Pits Road is of LOCAL significance
References
References Reports and Drainage Plans, 6lt1quot,quoton Water profis system, 1925, 1973, 1976, 1969, and 1994.
Sands & McDougall Directory of Geelong, 1972, Geelong Historical Records Centre, Sands & McDougall "Invicta" Geelong Directory,1968, Geelong Historical Records Centre. Geelong City Council Rate Books
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Factory Complex - Physical Description 1
The factory complex at 8-10 Gravel Pits Road, South Geelong, has significance as a physical legacy of the thriving fellmongeries established on the banks of the Barwon River in the second half of the 19th century. Built originally as the Barwon Terrace fellmongery in 1875 for wool brokers H.M. Strahan, William Murray and Charles Shannon, the brick buildings were constructed in 1878 but were largely destroyed by fire in 1900 before being rebuilt. The complex was more popularly known as the Clyde Works from the late 19th century and although altered and extended, the exterior of the main building from the front largely reflects the early design.The main building of the factory complex at 8-10 Gravel Pits Road is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level. It demonstrates original design qualities associated with the construction in 1878 and c.1900 when the complex was a thriving fellmongery. These qualities include the large gable roof form, together with the projecting parapeted wing and gabled building to the west, and the galvanised corrugated steel roof cladding. Other intact or appropriate qualities include the unpainted brick wall construction (in Geelong red and blue bricks), square tapered chimney stack (with multi-corbelled top) that adorns the projecting building to the west, stepped unpainted brick parapet to the main building at the front, segmentally arched timber framed windows and vehicular opening at the front, window openings with bluestone lintels and sills on the east side, and the segmentally arched window opening on the projecting west parapeted wing. A significant landmark feature of the complex is the round and tapering unpainted red brick chimney stack that towers above the main building. The factory complex at 8-10 Gravel Pits Road is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with the establishment of fellmongeries and tanneries along the Barwon River in the second half of the 19th century, all of which were a critical source of Geelong's early prosperity and employment. In particular, this factory complex has associations with H.M. Strahan, William Murray and Charles Shannon, wool brokers and original owners from 1875 when they instigated the initial construction of the buildings, and from 1878 when the existing brick main buildings were built. The complex was originally named Barwon Terrace, but was more widely known as the Clyde Works from the mid 1890s and after the devastating fire in 1900 that resulted in the rebuilding of the complex. The early buildings also have associations with Charles Smith, manager, who was responsible for the fitting out of the original machinery. He took ownership of the complex and had it rebuilt before his death in 1908. The business recommenced with Smith's four sons and was known as C.H. Smith and Sons. He employed many of the men from the original company.Overall, the factory complex at 8-10 Gravel Pits Road is of LOCAL significance.
Heritage Study and Grading
Greater Geelong - Geelong City 'C' Citations Study
Author: Dr David Rowe
Year: 2002
Grading:
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