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FORMER ROBINSON AND WAYNE APOTHECARY SITE
67-69 BRIDGE MALL, BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350
FORMER ROBINSON AND WAYNE APOTHECARY SITE
67-69 BRIDGE MALL, BALLARAT CENTRAL 3350
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Victorian Heritage Inventory
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The area is first mapped as allotment 20 of Section C in detail in the 1857 Revised Town Plan of Block A.B. C. D. The site was likely occupied prior as part of the first phase of the Ballarat Main Street development, due to its proximity to Ballarat West and the Gravel Pit alluvial fields. The area was occupied by Robinson and Wayne Apothecary Hall from c. 1853 until 1865. The premises likely went through two stages of development beginning as a timber structure and developing into a bricked ‘fireproof structure in the 1860s. Unlikely many sites on Main Road, this site was continually occupied by a Chemist and Wholesale druggist until the 20th century.
How is it significant?
The site is of historical and archaeological significance.
Why is it significant?
The site is of historical significance as the location of an early residence and chemist and druggist Apothecary Hall during the years of the Victorian gold rush – one of the most significant rushes in world history. The later nineteenth century shows the development and decline of Main Road and the movement of the commercial centre to Sturt Street. The site is of archaeological significance due to its potential to contain artefacts, deposits and features associated with apothecary’s and doctor offices in the gold rush, and other later 19th-century.
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FORMER ROBINSON AND WAYNE APOTHECARY SITE - History
Allotment 20 of Section C was sold to Robinson and Wayne for an upset price of 82l. and valuation of 1250 pounds (4 December 1856, The Star:2) Dr Robinson and Waine are listed as the occupiers on the A. B. C. D. Revised Town Plan of Ballarat Main Road. The site was used as an Apothecary Hall with two doctors’ offices to the rear of the site. Robinson and Wayne offered the premises for sale or rent in 1857 (March 1857, The Star: 4). Hunter (2024) shows that Dr B W Robinson was listed at the site from 1856 until 1862. There are references to support this with various medical treatments that are recorded to have been performed at this place, for example, in 1860 (8 May 1860) a boy was sent to the offices after being trampled by a horse. The site is noted in advertisements as a landmark on Bridge Street. In 1860 tenders were advertised from Builders of Brick and Stone for works at the Robinson and Waynes premises (6 October 1860, the Star: 6). Robinson and Wayne sold various products, including but not limited to ‘O’Connor’s Worm and Condition Powders (14 Jan 1858, The Star: 3). Robinson was a notable character in the development of the Ballarat Hospital and medical field in Victoria who sadly died at the Ararat Asylum in 1868: The site was taken over by Wayne and Brines Chemist and druggist in c. 1865 and operated as such until 1869. On October 5, 1865 (The Ballarat Star: 2) there was a fire that destroyed the entire premises. In 1869 (24 March 1869, The Ballarat Star: 1) Phillip Wayne (of former Robinson and Wayne, and Wayne and Brine) is still listed as a chemist and dealer at 47 Bridge Street (24 March 1869, The Ballarat Star: 1). Wayne is listed as a druggist and wholesale dealer throughout the 1870s, in 1872 he advertises for a gardener at the address of “47 Bridge Street” (31 May 1872: 3). It is unknown exactly when the site changed hands, but Cornell and King, druggist and chemists are advertising from 47 Bridge Street until the 1880s (The Ballarat Star, 19 Dec 1876: 4, 22 June 1877:4, 4 Jan 1878: 2) The 1870 Panorama of Ballarat taken from the Town Hall tower shows that the allotment was still densely occupied but further analysis is required to determine the nature of this occupation. It is unclear if the site was developed into a double-story dwelling at this time. John King, Chemist and druggist transfer the land into his name dated 7 December 1894 (17 December 1894, the Ballarat Star: 3) and still advertises at this location in 1889 (18 April 1899, The Ballarat Star:1). The property was likely sold, as indicated in 1909 (12 June 1909, The Age:14). The site was likely to be used as a commercial store throughout the twentieth century. The 1923 Ballarat Sewerage Plan shows two stone premises (likely associated with 71 and 73) with cesspits fronting Curtis Street and is likely the end of historical archaeological significance.FORMER ROBINSON AND WAYNE APOTHECARY SITE - Interpretation of Site
Phase 1: Initial Gold Rush 1850s-1865 Robinson and Wayne Druggist and Chemist Phase 2: Established Township 1865-1876 Wayne and Bryne (also Phillip Wayne) Druggist and Chemist Phase 3: Golden City 1876-1919 John King Druggist and Chemist 2024 Hil historical elevation modeling for Allotment 20 showing 2m-4m of potential fill, likely to be sealing early deposits and archaeological features (see site card attached).
Heritage Inventory Description
FORMER ROBINSON AND WAYNE APOTHECARY SITE - Heritage Inventory Description
The site comprises a double story Victorian Building with no known basements. there is an open car park to the north of the site.
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