History
This History of the Chapel Street Precinct is not comprehensive but hopefully an amusing and interesting look at some of the establishments in the Chapel Street Precinct. If any institution or landmark has been overlooked, please don't hesitate to contact us at Streets Ahead and we will amend the website
STREET NAMES circa 1840
Chapel Street was named after the first chapel in Prahran, located on the east side, 100m south of Malvern Road. At that time a ferry service operated over the Yarra River.
Greville Street was named by landowner Dr. O'Mullane, after a famous Irish patriot.
UP TO 1860S
Chapel Street traders consisted of butchers who slaughtered beasts behind their shops, bakers, general stores, carpenters, bricklayers, sawmilling, flourmilling, chaff-cutting. The local blacksmith doubled as veterinary as did the chemist/postmaster and undertaker/stationer.
There were many churches but today only one remains - a Baptist Church built in the 1850s - now Bridie O'Reillys.
CHAPEL STREET SHOPPING
Chapel Street has always rivalled Melbourne's central business district as a shopping destination, a place to shop since before the First World War.
Pre-1960s closing hour for shops and pubs was 6.00pm. It was a common sight to see families, children in dressing gowns and slippers, strolling down Chapel Street of an evening.
Late night shopping was reintroduced in 1971 and continues to this day.
CHAPEL STREET W.W.1.
A recruiting depot was established at the Town Hall for citizens to enroll for the war. The campaign was organised in the first week in July 1915 to raise recruits for military service.
Four demonstrations were held in the Town Hall, Lyric Theatre, Armadale Theatre and South Yarra skate rink with speeches by members of Council and local dignitaries.
There were many German watchmakers, jewellers and food merchants but anti-German hysteria affected them and their businesses.
Legislation was actually passed in the early months of war forbidding shopkeepers from advertising or selling goods with German or Austrian brand names.
COFFEE HOUSES
In the early 1880s a group of businessmen, all of whom were opposed to excessive drinking, decided to tackle the problem in a constructive manner whilst simultaneously making a good profit.
The alternatives were to be 'temperance hotels' or 'coffee palaces' and 'temperance restaurants' or 'coffee taverns'. These places were set up in such a way so as one could reside or dine without the bother of alcohol or noisy drinkers.
Prahran's coffee tavern opened in 1883. Both men and women gathered here to dine in pleasant surrounds. When these palaces and taverns failed to produce the anticipated 10% profit, some reluctantly applied for liquor licences, while others sold up and shut shop.
Less ambitious were the little shops run as one man or family businesses that have catered for people living and working locally since the 1880s. Some of these restaurants catered for weddings or other social occasions but most large gatherings were still held in the hotels and halls using outside catering to provide refreshments.
WINE BARS
For two decades or more, the Australian Wine Cafe near the Post Office Hotel offered light refreshments, summer drinks and wine for ladies, who, tired after shopping did not want to enter a hotel without their men folk. There was a Wine Bar near Paterson's Cake Shop in Chapel Street and one down the South Yarra end run by Walter McMahon.
The wine bars proved a menace to many wine addicts, whose health deteriorated on cheap wine, and were closed when legislation compelled them to serve meals too.
BILLIARD HALLS
Chapel Street had several billiard saloons or snooker halls. There was one at the Lyric Theatre, another below the Empress, one in the Arcade, and one of ill repute near Greville Street. These establishments were strictly for males only and like hotels, were socially out of bounds to respectable females.
CHANGING STYLES IN HOTELS
The late 19th Century saw a change in the hotels, catering predominantly for the men in the community and shunned by respectable women without a male escort. From 1880 on, the hotels became more sophisticated, advertising improvements such as the billiards room, incandescent lighting and fine new rooms for smoke nights and lodge festivities. In 1886, the Gippsland Hotel in Chapel Street near Dandenong Road invited everyone to witness a fine billiards match between Henry Power an expert, and a local challenger.
From 1880 until World War 1 marked the heyday of the older hotels, but many did not survive the 1930s when money was so short. In addition to this there were the new R.S.L. clubs to draw the custom away. It is only in the last twenty years or so, with competition from motels and restaurants and with the introduction of longer trading hours that old hotels have been modernised.
Today Chapel Street has hotels offering good meals and a variety of entertainment to their clients.
HOTELS
Many of Prahran's first settlers were British immigrants where the village inn or tavern served as a club or meeting place where neighbours could relax over a meal or a drink and feel at home. The early hotels in the area were like this; besides catering to travelers they provided a welcoming haven for local folk, whether a Saturday night concert at Prahran Hotel or a sing-a-long at the Prince Albert or Royal George, everyone was welcome. These three hotels were amongst those built in Chapel Street around the same time. At the Windsor end were Merritts Prince Albert and the Albion (now Duke of Windsor).
Both the Royal George (remodeled and renovated as Statewide Building Society) and the Prahran Hotel have gone.
At the South Yarra end were two hotels the Prince of Wales and the Ayers Arms.
The other present day hotels in Chapel Street are the Imperial, Frostbites, the Court Jester (old Post Office Hotel), Swan, Union and Railway Hotel. They are all 19th Century buildings rebuilt, renovated and sometimes renamed.
Some did not prosper e.g. the Arcade Club Hotel opened in 1891; also Potters, Powers, the Rainbow and the Star and the Royal Mail have all disappeared. Also gone are the 'Unparalleled Cigars' of the Town Hall Hotel and the 'Fine Accommodations'.
DUKE OF WINDSOR HOTEL
The Duke of Windsor Hotel was built on the corner of High and Chapel Streets in 1858. The Caneva family have been the proprieters for the past 30 years. Formally the Albion, it was renovated and renamed in the 1930s. This establishment is Prahran's oldest surviving hotel.
THE MAX HOTEL
The Max, formerly the Prince Maximilian, opened in 1875 and is located at 32 Commercial Road.
STATION HOTEL
The Railway Tavern, later called the Station Hotel and now the Greville Street Hotel, opened in 1865 and has been trading there in one form or another ever since.
THE PRAHRAN HOTEL
Opened in the 1850s as Morrows, then named The Prahran Hotel, then The Highbridge, the hotel has now been renamed back to its earlier name, The Prahran Hotel. It is one of the oldest hotels in Prahran and is situated in High Street and attracted weary travelers in need of food and refreshment. There was a small lagoon across the track providing water for both man and beast. The Prahran Hotel was a large complex with a good stockyard and weekly stock auctions. In the mid 1990s it played host to the Magick Club, a forum for local poets and performers.
COLLEGE LAWN HOTEL
Opened in 1875. It has since been extended and modernised.
WINDSOR CASTLE
One of the oldest established pubs in Windsor, the Windsor Castle has recently been renovated and still remains a landmark with its flying pink elephants on the roof!
SCHOOLS
Until the Education Act of 1872, education was provided by church schools, by small private schools and by a few national schools run by the Government. One of the latter existed at the north-west corner of High Street and Punt Road and the Church of England as well as the Independent Church opened schools and provided a schoolmaster.
Most private schools were intended for wealthy families and as such, there were few in the central Prahran district.
In 1856, when Prahran became a municipality, two systems of education were in force in Victoria under two different boards, the denominational and the national. This system remained until 1862 when it was abolished and a single Board of Education was constituted. In 1872 a Department of Education was introduced bringing free, compulsory and secular instruction.
WESLEY COLLEGE
In the early 1850s a Presbyterian church hall was closed when its members joined the new Punt Road church. The hall was later an Industrial school for wayward boys and the land was eventually acquired by Wesley College. The College was granted ten acres of Crown land and was officially opened in 1867. Wesley College bought up most of the old houses as they came on the market and used them for staff residences and in the case of #174 as a boarding house for primary students.
SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY
Around High Street, Thomas Street, St. John Street and Green Street, many of the old houses have been utilised or swallowed up by the growing complex of the Prahran campus of Swinburne University and its College of T.A.F.E.
The amalgamation of tertiary institutions saw the Victoria College, once located here, merge with Swinburne University.
ARDOCH HIGH SCHOOL
In 1914 the Prahran Mechanics Institute leased its Chapel Street building as a boys technical school, offering useful trades. The school outgrew its old quarters and relocated in 1971 to The Avenue as Windsor Technical School where it combined with Ardoch High School teaching both boys and girls. The Ardoch-Windsor Secondary College was closed in 1992 with most staff and students transferring to Prahran Secondary College in Orrong Road.
HAZLEHURST COLLEGE
Hazlehurst College in High St was run by Misses Wright, operating partly in some small building behind a large residence near Punt Rd but also occupying part of the Sunday School hall of St Matthews Anglican church, in High St, near Chapel St, (adjacent to Maples Lane and "Maples Corner.") To ensure academic standards, examinations for the senior students were set by the then headmaster of Wesley College.
Theatres
LYRIC
The Lyric stood on the corner of Victoria Street. It was the very first picture theatre on Chapel Street and in 1911 was billed as 'the most magnificent picture theatre in Australia'. The Lyric boasted a live theatre band to accompany the two films each night. It also had a billiard room, shopping arcade and even a mini golf course! During the First World War it was used extensively for recruiting rallies. The Lyric burnt down in the 1940s but by then it was unflatteringly referred to as the 'fleahouse' by locals!
ROYAL
The Royal was the second theatre in Chapel Street, situated on the east side and just north of the railway line. It was a very popular venue where many of the best Hoyts films were shown. When the New Windsor was built, the Royal lost favour as a picture house but would continue on for some time as a cabaret restaurant. Shirley Bassey performed at the Royal in the 1960s for a relatively small fee as she was not so well known at the time.
EMPRESS
The Empress Theatre in central Prahran was affectionately known as the 'flea palace'! In its early years the Empress was owned by a leading politician Sir Alexander Peacock who incorporated a few shops. After its demise as a picture theatre it was converted into squash courts by Mr I. Rockman (former Lord Mayor of Melbourne). The Empress was later sold to the National Theatre but no plays were ever produced as it burnt down in 1971.
ELECTROSCOPE CINEMA
The Electroscope Cinema was situated in Chapel Street, South Yarra. Occasionally the dimly lit screen gave way to total blackness and the audiences were given their money back! Nonetheless it was the most popular form of entertainment for all ages and well patronised in spite of the inevitable fleas and the occasional rat snuffling through the lolly papers at one's feet! In addition to the draughts in winter and the stuffy heat in summer! The Electroscope distributed programs and film reviews appeared regularly in the 'Prahran Telegraph'.
LIBRARIES MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Few had money to buy books, so the family bible was often the only book they owned, though many loved books and wanted to read. The Mechanics Institute was the first to cater for this need by providing a reading room furnished with good books. The Mechanics Institute was founded in 1854 and was a thriving, cultural and political centre. But within a few decades the Mechanics Institute fell on hard times financially and was rescued by an act of Parliament in 1899 to guarantee Council support. This included five councillors to sit on the Institute Committee each year. Council lent full support and provided many of the books through donations with the intention of setting up a Municipal Library further down the track when more funds would make it affordable. In 1900 John H. Furneaux took over as the new secretary. In 1903 the library was also open for five hours on Sundays, and by 1912 340 readers attended every day! By 1913 the Mechanics Institute was prosperous once more. Larger premises were then needed so the move was made from Chapel Street to High Street in 1914 and it remains there to this day.
MUNICIPAL READING ROOM
In 1861 in the new Town Hall, the Municipal Reading Room stocked books, bought, donated and borrowed. The library was open six days a week and by the late 1870s more than one hundred people were using the service daily. In 1878 the Council provided a larger room on the first floor of the Town Hall. Renovations on the Town Hall necessitated moving the library. Headquarters moved to Toorak Road. The older library is known as the Prahran/Windsor branch, combining a reading room, a lending library for children and adults and boasts an audio/visual section with the latest equipment. A lending library for children was opened in 1918 and later housed in Greville Street. One of the most loved activities of this library was the Story Hour that was held once a fortnight in Autumn/Winter and was attended by about one hundred patrons. These readings continued for many years showcasing different readers with many stories ranging from myths and legends to animal stories.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TRAINS
The Melbourne & Suburban Railway Company was projected in 1856 and formed in 1857. This same year, the St Kilda & Brighton Railway Company was incorporated to run a line from Brighton Beach to Windsor. In addition to the power to run a line to Windsor, the company was authorised to construct a 'loop line' between St Kilda Terminus in Fitzroy Street to Windsor Railway Station. The first train to enter Prahran did so at Windsor over the loop line on 3rd December 1859 and consisted of one engine and two carriages carrying 40 passengers. Ten days later the line was opened to the general public and the trains ran on to North Brighton. Windsor Station was then known as Chapel Street Station.
The first train from Melbourne CBD to Prahran arrived at Chapel Street Station on Saturday 24th November 1860. The engine used was bought from the Geelong & Melbourne Railway Company and it bore the name 'Hercules' and was capable of drawing 100 tons on a dead level. The Melbourne & Suburban Railway Company called its southern venture the Prahran Branch, its stations were Swan Street (now Richmond) and Cremorne, which was considered a 'party stop' because of its open air shows, dancing and entertainments. It was frequented by fast men and women with money to burn, but has long since gone.
The St Kilda & Brighton Railway Company did not prove to be successful and floundered in financial difficulties from its opening in 1859 until 1862. It was then bought by the Melbourne & Suburban Company that ran its trains through from Princes Bridge to Brighton. In 1865 the Hobsons Bay Company purchased these two companies and changed its name to the Melbourne & Hobsons Bay United Railway Company, that in turn was bought by the Berry Government in 1878. This gave the Government a direct line to Oakleigh and Gippsland and forced the expansion of Prahran Station by creating Toorak and Armadale Stations. Meanwhile the St Kilda Loop was to be maintained by the Hobsons Bay United Railway Company. Two years later it reverted to Crown Land.
On private land between Union Street and Punt Road (then Hoddle Street) the railway still existed. The line was used to shunt trains from Brighton. The railway gates were always shut and blocking the street from traffic so Prahran Council threatened to tear up the rails and break down the gates. The Company didn't take these threats seriously but one morning in the early hours, the Council and a gang of men accompanied by police, proceeded to Union Street and ripped up the rails! To save bloodshed the parties agreed that the right of the Council should be tested in the Equity Court. The case was heard on 17th April 1869. It was heard that the line had not been completed; some of it had fallen into disuse and so the Company was at fault and judgment was made against them. By a legal tour de force, the Prahran Council wiped the loop line off the local map and left Union Street with one set of railway gates instead of two.
TRAMS
Many of the changes that led to the prosperity and development of Chapel Street can be attributed to changes in transport and especially in 1888 with the installation of a cable tram service along the main road. The Horse Omnibus, which had survived the steam trains was replaced by the Prahran tram with its red paint and bright red light. It trundled down Toorak Road and up Chapel Street, proceeding the length of the shopping strip and across Dandenong Road to finish not far from Brighton Road intersection.
In 1891 a new service to the Esplanade in St Kilda connected with the Prahran tram at Windsor. The Cable trams served the area for 35 years.
The Engine House at 105 Wellington Street housed both Cable engines and trams but had a smaller engine than most as it served only a single cable running from Chapel Street to St Kilda beach.
Everyone enjoyed a ride in the Cable tram especially on the open dummy car in which the driver (or 'gripman') was stationed. Hot in summer, hazardous in winter when a foot of water on the road threw up clouds of water drops, and a danger to ladies' hats and straw boaters when the wind blew, but nonetheless, riding the dummy was an exhilarating experience for most travelers.
Medical Practitioners
DOCTORS
In the mid 19th Century several doctors lived and worked on Chapel Street.
Doctor Llewellyn who originally pitched his green baize tent on the south west side of Dandenong Road later moved to premises housed in the building which is now Holywell Terrace. In the evenings, candles stuck in the necks of empty bottles would provide the light he required!
Doctor Job Phillips also began in a tent situated on Commercial Road before moving to permanent quarters near High Street.
Doctor Gerald Fetherstone practised in Chapel Street near Greville Street from 1865 to 1901. He was, like the others, a magistrate.
Doctor O'Mullane owned a large paddock north of Greville Street.
Doctor R.H.J. Fetherstone (son of elder Dr. Fetherstone) was also a magistrate and he became a member of Parliament in addition to serving in the First World War as an army surgeon. The younger Fetherstone became official doctor for Wesley and initiated many of Prahran's most effective health measures during his time as Health Officer.
Other early medical men worth noting are Doctor Edward Hall who was greatly loved for his unstinting charity to those who required help. Doctor Hall stood 6 ft. 3 in. in his stockings, a big man with a big heart!
DENTISTS
In the 20th Century older dentists with a proven track record could now be registered with the Dental Board. These practitioners included one of the very first women dentists in the person of Miss E. Meredith as well as Mr. Barton (above no. 19) and Mr French, a university trained dentist, while around the corner in High Street Mr. Ronald Willman set up his place during the war years. In the 1880s C.Ross had a chemist shop that doubled up as a dentist.
In the early part of the 20th century, a dentist named Govett had premises in High St, near the corner of Porter St. In my youth, (DOB 23/11/1940), the practice was long gone and the surgery rooms had been converted to a residence but with a sign remaining, high up on one wall. Govett may also have been the father of the late Neville Govett, the maker of the definitive B/W 16mm film record of the Melbourne cable trams.
CHEMISTS
Many chemists were skilled enough almost to double as the family doctor especially for the poor. Some had even patented medicine or eyedrops or ointments of their own remedial concoctions and offered these for sale.
Pleasances Pharmacy (@ no. 275) specialiSed in homeopathic medication and also advertised their special 'Nursery Hair Lotion' for the unwanted parasites that were so prevalent in the area.
One of the longest serving chemists in Chapel Street was Mr. Maxwell in the Osment building (@ no. 205).
Besides Beyer and Rankin (@ no. 103) there was Witt and co. (@ no. 171) and Mr. Ireland, all at the Windsor end of Chapel Street.
Mr. Bangs the chemist was renowned for his 'Worm and Lice Cures'.
Other Landmarks
THE JAM FACTORY
The Jam Factory has a colourful, diverse history.
The Jam Factory was first established in 1858 as the Victoria Brewery with residents Albert Terry and his family also living in part of the factory. At this time, the building and land were valued at a modest 150 pounds.
In 1876 the Victoria Brewery closed down. The building and land were then sold for 5,350 pounds to Robert Wright and Robert Payne. No longer a Brewery, the new company was named the Victoria Preserving Company.
Four years later, in 1880, the building became known as the 'Red Cross' preserving company. Employing 230 hands, in season the company was the largest employer in Prahran.
In 1895, Mr William Peacock bought the premises and turned it into the 'OK' Jam Co. This in turn was sold once again to Henry Jones, the man behind the famous IXL brand. But then, in 1926, Henry Jones passed away and Achalen Palfreyman became Chairman of Directors. The three cottages that had been on the site since the 1850s were pulled down and a cool store built in their place.
In 1950 there was a significant downturn in the jam market. The more affluent consumer, the once great lovers of jam, were eating more fruit. Years later, in 1967, Achalen Palfreyman died. Then, three years later, production of preserves and jams at the Jam Factory ceased all together.
The decade of flares, flower power and Woodstock also saw the opening of the Jam Factory shopping centre, in 1979 on the 9th of October. The cost of the development was over twenty million dollars. And now, walking through the colourful and exciting walkways and store, we have the Jam Factory of today: Village Cinemas, Borders, Virgin Megastore, Villa & Hut, fashion stores, cafes and restaurants...
The Jam Factory of today is, in short, jam packed with entertainment.
PRAHRAN MARKET
Prahran Market opened in 1864 and operated on the east side of Chapel Street until 1881 when it moved to Commercial Road. For over 100 years Prahran Market has offered only the best fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and in more recent times, gourmet deli foods, specialty goods, organic produce, products and cafes. Many stalls have been run by the same families for generations, with the original stallholders often having to book a site months in advance. The market virtually all burnt down in a great fire, circa 1950. Only the “Meat Market” section and part of the front (Commercial Rd) shops and facade survived. The Prahran Market is still very popular to this day and serves not only the local residents and visitors, but also many of the restaurants and cafes in the area. Prahran Market is open Tuesday dawn - 5pm, Thursday dawn - 6pm, Friday dawn - 6pm, Saturday dawn - 6pm and now Sunday from 10am - 3pm.
COMO CENTRE
Development took over in the 1980s at the South Yarra end of Chapel Street with the Como Centre that houses retail trading, business and a multiple cinema complex attracting out of town visitors.
THE FUN FACTORY
The Fun Factory building, on the corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street, is believed to have been built in the late 1880s to house the Toorak cable tram system. According to Stonnington Council, the complex would have also included a tram depot in Chapel Street. In 1926, when the system was electrified, the building fell into disrepair, and it was vacant from 1929 to 1933. Capitol Bakeries took over the complex in 1934. The Fun Factory opened with much funfare in 1979. Howard Bartlett, the Council's heritage adviser, said the building had local heritage protection and therefore, future planning consent and a planning permit would be needed to demolish parts or all of the building.
ROSENBERGS
A family business that has been in existence for three generations is the shoe store located at 59/63 Chapel Street Windsor. Rosenbergs is renowned today for its stocks of shoes for the woman whose feet are larger than those of the average woman. Old Mr Rosenberg, grandfather of the present owner Mr D. Rosenberg set up the shop well before W.W.1. Shoes for evening or house wear were usually hand sewn and beautifully finished. The original store consisted of one shop front but has expanded to three.
PRAHRAN MISSION
Prahran Parish Mission holds an important place in the history of Chapel Street.
Established in 1944 as Prahran Methodist Mission but was renamed Prahran Parish Mission in 1977 when it joined forces with the newly established Uniting Church. Prahran Mission caters to all regardless of denomination.
The Prahran Mission incorporates an op-shop, cafe, support groups and various other community-minded projects.
The Mission was formed solely to help people 'to live their lives with more resource, dignity, and self respect.'
Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of donors, positive results continue to benefit the underprivileged to this day.
SALVATION ARMY
In 1876 Major Barker of the Salvation Army landed with his wife from London.
The two set out full of faith but unassisted, to establish the Salvation Army in Australia.
The first Salvation Army barracks ever built in Australia was the outcome of their work. It stood in Victoria Street Windsor and was opened officially on 2nd May 1884.
MELBOURNE BOWLING CLUB
Founded in 1864, the Melbourne Bowling Club was the first and is the oldest bowling club in Melbourne.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGES
The first telegram received in Prahran Town Hall Post Office was flashed through on 1st October 1872 but the public was not happy with the location or the long lease, which was 99 years at a pittance.
The Postmaster General opened a new Telephone Exchange in Windsor on 19th September 1910.
At the time of completion the Exchange was described by experts as equipped with the most up-to-date system for conducting telephone business in the State.
The Exchange employed many young women as telephonists.
The original Exchange is dwarfed now by the modern telephone complex and the housing Commission flats.
PRESENTATION CONVENT
The Presentation Convent in Windsor was founded by five Presentation nuns who arrived in Prahran from the Mother House in Limerick on Sunday 21st December 1873.
On 10th December 1874 they moved into a house that stood on the present convent grounds. Schools were erected and a substantial brick wall enclosed the grounds.
Ten years later a permanent convent was decided upon and the foundation stone was laid on 28th October 1883. The Convent opened in September of the following year.
LAUNDRIES & DRYCLEANING
Most cleaning was done by hand before the arrival of electricity.
Before the war a few small shops such as J. T. Seysens (@ no. 471 & 76) had set up as drycleaners.
Neweys (@ no. 176) and R. B. Lawrence's opposite the Town Hall, serviced all manner of garments but their specialty of restoring ostrich feathers was no longer advertised in the 1920s.
Most laundries were owned by Chinese people. These laundries were often worked by old men who had come to Australia during the goldrush. Most were unmarried or had no wife with them in Melbourne.
If any of these men died their shops simply closed down. This was happening all over Melbourne in the 1920s.
Chapel Street had three Chinese laundrymen in Windsor before World War 1 but they were gone by 1930.
They were Gong Yick (@no. 74), Low Yick (@ no. 162) and Sing Lee (@ no. 18).
MILKBARS
When many of Chapel Street's small grocers were battling through the 50s and 60s, after-hours trading became a viable proposition for traders. Customers paid higher prices in exchange for convenience. So the Milkbar with a few grocery lines was better for the proprietor willing to put in extra hours, especially for ones with family labour to help out. An occasional fine for out-of-hours trading was accepted as part of the hazards of shop-keeping. A few Milkbars remain today.
HOUSING COMMISSION FLATS
A prominent landmark in Windsor West today is the block of high-rise flats in Gladstone Street. Unlike the Housing Commission flats in other parts of Prahran, these did not replace slums. When the land was owned by the Railways Department private developers were not interested in this damp and swampy area; the land, once part of the Loop line to St Kilda station had remained barren. The flats therefore were placed in the centre of a quiet oasis of small streets and houses and were never accepted by the local residents. They watched one little street demolished to make way for this concrete monolith.
The flats themselves have deteriorated over the years, thereby lowering the value of properties nearby. Gladstone Gardens created for the pleasure of nearby residents has become the playground for the children of the flats.
By the 1980s Loxton Lodge (name of the flats) housed tenants who were mostly elderly while the three storey buildings in De Murska Street were used for families. The latter have been rebuilt according to present day standards. The women of Loxton Lodge have converted part of the grounds into a thriving vegetable patch for which they won an environment award in 1992.
FIRE BRIGADE
In the years before a piped water supply was available, water sellers had to fill their carts every night so that there would be enough water on hand in case of fire. Even so conditions were so primitive that many fires were well out of control before news spread and the carts could be on the scene.
William Pye was Captain of the volunteer fire brigade for the first year or so, one of six volunteers in 1856.
The brigade took delivery of a manual fire engine lent by the Victorian Government in February 1857 and this was housed at Prahran Inn situated on the corners of Andrew and William (now George) Streets until the hotel itself burnt down and the fire engine was almost lost as well! After this the engine was moved to a more central location behind the Courthouse.
The Windsor Fire Station was later established at 118 Peel Street but until this happened getting the fire brigade to Windsor was a difficult business.