Mirboo North Historical Walk
Prepared by the Mirboo and District Historical Society Inc
Historical Walk
Start: 116 Ridgway, Mirboo North
Finish: 28 Ridgway, Mirboo North
Distance: 600m
Mirboo Lily
(Diplarrena Moraea)
The Mirboo and District Historical Society Inc had the official opening of the ‘Historical Signage’ on the 16th April 2011. At the same time a pamphlet was launched ‘A Walk on Ridgway’ which showed the placement of these signs.
This enables visitors to our town to pick up a pamphlet at the information centre and begin a walk down the main shopping strip to see the old buildings that were once on sites.
The signage was obtained through a grant for the Historical Society with the assistant of our project manager Ian Bristow who was Secretary with the MCDI at the time.
The flower on each sign is the Mirboo Lily (Diplarrena Moraea) which was prolific in the area in the early years and used as the town emblem back around 2011.
Old Shire Offices
Address: 116 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The Shire of Mirboo was created by the severance of the east riding of Woorayl Shire and part of the Narracan Shire into an independent unit on 13th April 1894. The first meeting of the Shire of Mirboo was held in the Mechanic’s Institute on 4th July 1894. The positions of Secretary, Engineer (Clerk of Works), Valuer, Health Officer, Rate Collector and collector of Statistics were next to be filled.
Business was conducted in rented premises for the first eighteen months. The Council then moved into recently added rooms at the front of the Mechanic’s Institute.
It was not until 1910 that this block of land was purchased for the purpose of building council offices and a hall. At the cost of ₤240.0.0 ($480.00) the new building was officially opened by the Shire President on 2nd May 1912. These offices were used until the new Shire Hall and Offices were built in 1938 at the western end of Main Street.
St Mary’s Church
Address: 114 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The first Church of England was situated at Baromi in 1883 but it was never consecrated. With the arrival of the railway the new township sprang up, a new Church was built on this site. Mr. W. Richards, a local saw miller, gave the timber and the contract to build was let to Mr. W. Benn. The official opening of the new church on this site took place on Friday 8th October 1886.
A vicarage was built behind the church and enlarged over the years and finished by the end of 1887. The lining of these front rooms was canvas and wallpaper. Two additional rooms were added in 1889.
The donated Church bell and belfry was erected in 1890. The stained glass window in the south end of the church was given in 1886 and is the only portion of the old Baromi Church. In the 1898 bush fires, the Church caught alight but was put out before extensive damage was done. This building remained as it was until early 1965 when the new Church was built and consecrated at a consecration service in April 1966.
Post Office
Address: 100 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The Mirboo North Post Office was erected in April 1915. It housed a manual exchange to which individual lines were connected. First subscribers were local companies being the Butter Factory, Club and Commercial Hotels, Gippslander & Mirboo Times office, Buckland’s and Stanton’s Stores, McKenzie butchery and Mr. Andrew Inglis.
Due to rationalisation by Australia Post in 1972, Mirboo North Post Office changed from an official staff office to non-official. When Australia Post decided to sell the premises, it was purchased freehold by the Post Master at the time continued in an unofficial capacity for his career from 1954 until he sold in 2002.
Since these Post Office premises were built in 1915 it has remained much the same in appearance over the years.
Main Street (now Ridgway)
Address: Ridgway, Mirboo North
Main Street (now Ridgway) Mirboo North looking west in early 1900.
Take note of the pack horses, horse and jinker combinations along with the dirt street which in winter would get very muddy.
The first building pictured is “Mirboo Cash Store & Bakery” run by Charles King. He was a Grocer, Baker, Draper and Ironmonger who also sold tobaccos.
You can also see the only two storey shop down this side of the street named the Pioneer Store.
The view today is very different to that of around one hundred years ago.
Pioneer Store
Address: 90 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The Railway Terminus was a newly developed area which looked like a large square cut out of the forest with a single row of buildings down one side of the street.
One of the first buildings to be built was this two storey store by Ridgway & Bigelow in 1885 which was described as “the most unique structure in the architectural line, with a pretty appearance, and the inside also well finished off”.
The interior of this notable building consisted of Blackwood panels, mouldings and supports giving it a very pleasing effect. It had many different owners during its years of service with some inside rooms rented to various businesses.
In June 1972 after being advertised for removal by tender, this historically significant building was demolished. The Post Master Generals department had purchased the block with the intention of building a new Post Office but plans were later scrapped and the block stayed empty for a number of years and was eventually sold.
Ridgway formerly Main Street was officially adopted by the Shire of Mirboo in August 1961 from the combination of business owner Thomas Ridgway and the Grand Ridge Road.
Old Newsagents
Address: 88 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The original building on this site was built during the late 1800’s and was run as a Newsagents from around 1900 until 1939 under several different proprietors. They were agents for The Sun, Age, Leader, Herald, Weekly Times and Sporting Globe newspapers.
It was in 1967 that a new building was erected on this block of land and opened in November of that year for the State Savings Bank of Victoria. Further renovations were undertaken to enlarge the premises in 1986 and in 1990 it became the Commonwealth Bank. This bank continued until it closed its doors in 1998 leaving the town with no banking facilities.
These premises remained empty until Ridgway Financial Chambers incorporating a Bendigo Bank agency was opened in 1999. It became Mirboo & District Community Bank in August 2010.
Bank of Australasia
Address: 82 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The first Bank of Australasia in Mirboo North was situated further down Main Street opening in 1887 being the only bank in the district. This new Bank building erected on this site for the Bank of Australasia was built in 1902 along with a Manager’s residence at the rear. It had a verandah and garden to the left at the rear of the Bank building. The house had access to the street.
This Bank of Australasia continued to serve the town and district residents for many years until it was closed on 15th June 1942.
After the closure of the Bank the building was used as an insurance office, machinery sales, café and garden nursery and finally a craft shop.
The building was demolished to make way for the three new brick shops in 1982.
The Club Hotel & Shops
Address: 72-74 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The Club Hotel was built on this site by John Fitzgerald in 1885. He was an energetic man with great personal drive to see his Hotel completed in time for the arrival of the railway to the Terminus. The first time the railway contractor’s engine came into town was 3rd December 1885 and to mark the occasion Fitzpatrick rolled out a barrel for the contractor and his big gang of men.
With the township growing the Hotel provided rooms for visiting doctors to see patients each week with many organisations being formed and meetings held here over the years. John Fitzpatrick built three, small single fronted wooden shops between the two Hotels in 1889 with one of these used as the Post Office. One room at the western end of the hotel in the same building housed a billiard room. Shops used by various businesses over the years included chemist, saddler, butcher, hairdressers, a tailor, stock agent, estate agency, furniture as well as a boot and clothing store.
The Hotel also provided a buggy and horses for hire, and horses equipped with special harness and plumes for funerals when required.
The licence for the Club Hotel was surrendered to the Liquor Control Commission in March 1970 and after 85 years of operation the doors closed for the last time. The main building was demolished and the residential section was relocated to Darlimurla in November 1972 for a family who had lost their home to fire.
Commercial Hotel
Address: 68-70 Ridgway, Mirboo North
In 1885 Robert Bair built the Commercial Hotel on this site. Early selectors left their horses to be cared for at the Hotel’s Livery Stables. The inn of the olden days that stood on this site was one of the first hotels in the district built of wood and described as a fine commodious house and most suitable place of accommodation.
The Commercial was rebuilt and thoroughly modernised in the late 1930’s. It then boasted the best accommodation with electricity, refrigeration and hot water service for the weary traveller.
It underwent another rebuilding program in 1964 when a large lounge room featuring a mini dance floor was added. Over the years the appearance of this Hotel has changed a number of times.
In June 1994 the owners demolished the existing nine-room accommodation block and built six brand new stylish motel rooms catering for singles, doubles and families visiting this area. The Commercial Hotel has been run by many licensees throughout the years since it commenced.
On the east side of the Commercial Hotel a mural depicts a delivery dray of Abbotsford Ales in wooden barrels to Dwyer’s Hotel. Hilda Dwyer was licensee in 1935.
Police Station & Tailor Shop
Address: 62-64 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The earliest Police presence here opened as Mirboo in 1883. The name changed to Mirboo North in January 1914. This is the site of the second Police Station in town. A new Station was built on this site by 1905. It consisted of an eight roomed weatherboard dwelling with an iron roof. The interior walls were hessian with wall paper and the bathroom had an iron bath. The wash house had a copper and two troughs and one WC. It used water from tanks, had electric light by 1935 and was situated twenty feet back from the street with a forty foot frontage with paling fences.
One of the rooms served as the office and at the rear of the house were stables consisting two stalls for the police horses. A one cell lock-up was also situated at the rear.
These premises were used until 1964. The buildings were put up for removal by the Public Works Department and the block remained vacant until auction in 1967. The camellia tree is from the original garden.
In September 1893 this block and building belonged to Elizabeth Ballentyne until fire destroyed the premises in 1894.
By July 1900 this shop was built for the office of Adam Ogilvy local Valuer and Shire of Mirboo Secretary. He leased it to E. Stuart, Tailor and Outfitter in 1905 and it remained as a Tailor shop until 1928.
It then became a butcher shop which changed hands many times over the years until 1993 when the last butcher closed his store. After this it briefly became the home of LETS (Local Employment Trading Service) in August 1993, a lawyer’s office in 1994 and then an antique shop in 1999 until 2010 when it changed hands once again and underwent extensive renovations.
Colonial Bank of Australasia
Address: 60 Ridgway, Mirboo North
This Colonial Bank of Australasia building was established in 1907 being built almost entirely with wood at a time when timber was abundant in this area.
The Bank Chambers were fitted out in red pine and silky oak, with ceilings lined throughout with pressed metal. The strongroom was built twelve feet by seven feet with eighteen inch thick walls of reinforced cement with a solid steel door.
The residential quarters for the Bank Manager at the rear of the building were finished with equal quality to match the banking chambers. The original balustrade and finials were removed from the top leaving the building you see today.
It was in 1918 that the Colonial Bank amalgamated with the National Bank of Australia. The Mirboo North branch continued until 1978 when it was downgraded to an agency and finally closed its doors in March 1994.
In 1989 it was purchased and opened as a Craft, Bric-a-Brac and Antique Shop called the “Old Colonial Bank”. In 2010 these premises were again sold.
CWA Park
Address: Within Baromi Park
The Mirboo North Branch of the Country Woman’s Association (CWA) had the idea of doing something in the township to improve the forlorn looking corner adjacent to the sale-yards where bracken fern and blackberries grew profusely over old stumps as well as the ragwort weed flowered.
The Mirboo Shire Council and the Victorian Railways both gave their permission around 1934-35 for the project, when volunteers cleared the land of stumps and levelled the ground.
A cypress hedge was planted to hide the pig and calf sale-yards to the west plus across the back of the block. A few gums and autumn tinting trees were also planted. A cyclone fence and double gate with three cement posts at the entrance were installed. This was done to keep the wandering cattle out of the Park area. Maintenance of the hedge was undertaken by volunteers and the Young Farmers Club later added a tourist map.
After the Shire of Mirboo took over the maintenance of the park, the cyclone fence and gate were removed for easier access for the mower and maintenance team.
A seat in memory of Pioneer Women for the Mirboo and District Centennial Year was donated by the CWA as well as a Golden Ash planted to commemorate their Golden Jubilee year in 1978.
Private Home (Old Butter Factory Manager)
Address: 56-58 Ridgway, Mirboo North
It was in January 1894 that a fire destroyed the buildings that were on this site. Shortly after this time around 1895 Adam Ogilvy, then the Shire of Mirboo Secretary, and local Valuer built this private residence for his family.
On selling it was purchased by the local Butter Factory for their Manager’s residence until the early 1950’s when it reverted back to a private home. Sold again in 1998 by auction it remains a private residence looking much as it did one hundred years ago.
Newspaper Office & Shops
Address: 40-44 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The building on the left was another early building to be built which has undergone several makeovers to the façade originally having a verandah on the front. Throughout the years it has seen several owners with different occupations.
The middle shop of these three was built by 1908 being one of the original buildings left in town. Over these years it has had many owners with a variety of businesses in these premises.
The shop premises to the right was erected prior to 1910 and used as a newspaper office until 1996. The “Gippslander” newspaper renamed “Gippslander & Mirboo Times” and “Mirboo North Times” was produced weekly. Sold to the “Latrobe Valley Express” in 1985 publications ceased in April 1996. With no local newspaper, a public meeting was held resulting in local volunteers producing a weekly edition from 16th July 1997. This building was used until the registered office was relocated to offices at the Shire Hall and these premises sold and now privately owned.
Mirboo Cafe
Address: 38 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The building on this site was established in 1900 consisting of a shop and boarding house with three hand-made brick chimneys. It was later opened by Virginia Castle and most commonly known as Castle Café. There was a great need for this type of accommodation for both men and women who preferred it to living in a hotel.
This café has had a few name changes over the years operating as Mirboo Café in 1900’s, Castle Café 1930’s, Blue Wren Café in 1937 and Koala Milk Bar in the 1960’s through to the end of an era in 1974 when the premises were demolished.
During these years it changed proprietors many times. In the later years the Koala Milk Bar sold fish and chips as well as the sale of petrol from pumps from the Brennan Street side.
Bray’s Corner
Address: 36 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The building on this site consisted of three shops, stables, storeroom, cart-shed, feed house and a coffee palace. A saddlery was run by J. Carter in 1905-1908 as a saddle, harness and collar maker and repairs and later run by C.V. Smith. The buildings were up for auction in January 1908.
John Bray owned and ran a general business of boot sales and repairs, draper and grocery store with the earliest advertisement in the Gippslander newspaper 1905. He leased business premises out to G. Laity in 1907 and John Prescott in 1910.
The Mirboo North Coffee Palace was taken over by Mr. & Mrs. Drohan in 1906, advertising to maintain a high reputation with first class accommodation for men only with all conveniences. It was run as a boarding house with ten rooms and free stabling for horses. When Drohan’s decided to return to Melbourne their boarders made arrangements to stay at Castle’s boarding house and cafe.
In January 1918 at 4 o’clock in the morning the buildings on this site were burnt down. It was still owned by John Bray who had shifted to Geelong. At one stage it was thought that the Presbyterian Church next door may also be lost until a wind change. The block remained empty for many years.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
Address: 32 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The first record of a church service held in the Mechanic’s Institute Hall was in June 1892. The site for a new church structure was chosen and this site purchased 1895.
This Church building was erected during 1899 by contractors Page & Bruhn and officially opened on 1st October 1899. The exterior was painted and the interior was lined with pine throughout. The main building measured forty-four feet by twenty-two feet with a front porch with entrance doors on either side. An addition to the rear of the church was constructed for use as a Hall in April 1920 by builder George Phillips which was later incorporated into the main church area.
A new Hall was obtained when the Presbyterian Church board members purchased a building from the APM for $2,400 in 1960. This Hall was destroyed by fire in November 1974. Another new brick hall was constructed and officially opened in December 1977.
Since becoming the Uniting Church there have been changes to this building. The exterior has been bricked and one set of doors was removed from the front porch. This church celebrated its Centenary on the weekend of 1st – 3rd October 1999.
After the completion of the Child Care Centre in the Hall at the rear in 2006, the front received a new porch with the doors fronting the new circular drive and garden.
Mechanic’s Institute
Address: 30 Ridgway, Mirboo North
James Muirhead of the Mirboo North Progress Association was instrumental in the formation and building of the Mechanics Institute. Built in 1886-1887 it housed a library and became the social centre of town.
It was used for Church Services, Concerts and Balls with the Brass band performing regularly as well as farming lectures, dancing, social evenings, marriages, birthdays, political meetings, magic lantern shows, debating society, draughts and travelling entertainers all regularly using the building.
The first meeting of the Shire of Woorayl was held in this Mechanics Institute on 29th August 1888. When the Shire of Mirboo was formed the first meeting of council was held here on 4th July 1894.
By the end of 1936 councillors felt that the worst of the depression was over and began considering a new hall and shire offices. In March 1937 the committee of the Mechanics Institute offered to hand over to the Shire all its assets, including land and building on condition that Council acquire the Institute land from the Lands Department. When this was done the building was advertised for sale and removal. A farewell dance was held in the hall on 18th January 1938 prior to the site being cleared.
The building served the community for just over fifty years until it was demolished to make way for the new Shire Hall and offices that was built on the same site in 1938.
Blacksmith’s Shop & Street Scene
Address: 28 Ridgway, Mirboo North
The first town smithy occupied one of the early buildings in the new township. The local Blacksmith and General Farrier building was erected on this site by H. C. McLaughlin in February 1898 and called Mirboo North Forge.
He built coaches, wagons, drays, jinkers, buggies, and shod horses swinging the hammer to create spoke wheels and to make his own horseshoes. The business had changed hands three times by 1922 and by 1928 the name of the business changed to Mirboo Service Station.
During this time cars were starting to appear in ever increasing numbers on the roads and the days of the horse and buggy were coming to an end. With the need for more room the building was extended to more modern premises. The old smithy shed at the rear of the premises was pulled down in August 1968.
The garage was sold in 1977, a name change in 1983 to Mirboo North Motors and changing name again in 1990. The Shire of Mirboo purchased the site in 1986 with the last lease having the building in 1995 after which the premises were demolished making way for a carpark.
The second image shows early Mirboo North looking down the Main Street to the east. Note the old light and cart outside the Mechanics Institute and the muddy road.
See the trees in the background which was once dense bush before settlement. Drohan’s Coffee Palace (Brays Corner) is on the corner of Brennan Street before the Castle Café on the opposite corner.
Next to that is the Gippslander & Mirboo Times Newspaper Office with the remainder of the street full of shops.
The saleyards were opposite the Mechanics Institute and were all a buzz on market days. The ladies came into town for shopping and a day out with their husbands on those days.
This photograph was taken in the early 1900’s.
