WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINS
8-32 PATULLOS LANE CRAIGIEBURN AND 695 CRAIGIEBURN ROAD WOLLERT, HUME CITY, WHITTLESEA CITY
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
-
-
WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINS - History
The site is part of a mid to late 19th century farming complex previously identified by Hall in his 1989 Merri Creek Parklands survey - Whittlesea Farm Complex (H7822-0067), 200 metres to the east. Hall suggested that many extant elements of the complex were constructed using locally gathered materials, while small quarry holes from which stones for the ford had been collected were still visible on the property. (Hall 1989: 52-55) According to Wuchatsch (1985: 59) and Payne (1975: 73) many early settlers in the Whittlesea area, particularly German immigrants, deliberately chose stony land so that building materials would be readily available.
WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINS - Interpretation of Site
The site comprises a ford c.25m long and c.10m wide crossing Merri Creek roughly halfway between Craigieburn Road and Somerton Road. The ford is constructed of large boulders, up to a metre in diameter, built up to one metre above the creeks normal water level. Originally the interstices between the boulders would have been filled with smaller material but, in the absence of maintenance, this has now been washed away.
WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINS - Archaeological Significance
A collection of rocks on the northern approach to the ford may relate to a small structure or stock enclosure at this end (the area of 'hand laid' (?) stone recorded on the 1989 site card was not located), whilst a small quarry to the west of the ford probably provided some of the stone used in its construction.
A terraced area to north east of the ford, on the east bank of the creek, could have accomodated temporary camps. However, the main approach to the ford was from the south, and the site would appear to be directly related to farming complex Whittlesea Farm Complex Site (H7822-0067), 200 metres to the east, as was the conclusion of the Merri Creek Parklands survey of 1989. Drystone walls relating to this site commence at the top of the escarpment to the east of the ford.
The ford may retain artefacts that may provide information as to the date of its construction and use.
WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINS - Historical Significance
The site is of historical significance as the largest and best known ford across Merri Creek, a major obstacle encountered by early settlers in the region. The ford is related to the highly significant WhittleseaFarm Compex Site(H7822-0067) (on the Whittlesea side of the creek - 200 metres to the east of the site) comprising the remains of a complete mid to late 19th century stone farmstead.
Heritage Inventory Description
WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINS - Heritage Inventory Description
Ruins of a large ford 25 metres long, 10 metres wide and up to 1 metre above normal creek level. Boulders up to 1 metre in diameter. Collection of rocks and small quarry to the west of the ford. Terraced are to north east of the creek's east bank.
-
-
-
-
-
WHITTLESEA FARMING COMPLEX SITEVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
WHITTLESEA FARM COMPLEX FORD RUINSVictorian Heritage Inventory
-
-