121-125 Rose Street and Foundry lane stand on the site of an Iron Foundry. Prior to the renumbering of the streets it had the address of 143 Rose Street. The foundry has now been converted into apartments.
“Originally begun near the corner of Young & Rose Streets, the site was used by Randall, Thomas & Co manufacturing churns, hat rakes and trucks during the 1880s. It was later taken over by Johnston & Beighton, malleable iron founders producing components for agricultural implement makers throughout Australia. By 1910, Anderson & Ritchie had taken over Beighton’s foundry and were using it to manufacture stoves and kitchen ranges. Anderson & Ritchie continue in business as one of the last traditional iron foundries in inner Melbourne. They now produce ornamental iron lacework and columns and a wide range of other products in addition to stoves.” Lina Favrin – Yarra Past Port
“Joseph Beighton, Malleable Ironfounder, 143 Rose Street, Fitzroy, was born in Sheffield, England in 1853, and was apprenticed to the malleable cast iron trade in Nottingham. At the conclusion of an apprenticeship of seven years he worked for some time as a journeyman, and has had a large and varied experience in most of the leading malleable iron foundries in England and Scotland. Landing in Sydney in 1885, he worked in various foundries in New South Wales, afterwards coming to Melbourne in 1888, where he worked for a number of years in the well known foundry of Edwin Jenkins, Melbourne. In 1892 Messrs. J. Lucas and Son, malleable ironfounders, 143 Rose Street, Fitzroy, offered Mr. Beighton a foremanship in their foundry, which he accepted, and in 1894 he purchased their business, which he still carries on in the present premises. Mr Beighton is the only manufacturer in Victoria who has made the malleable casting industry a financial success, his work being equal in strength and toughness to any imported castings. He practically manufactures the whole of the malleable castings for the agricultural implement makers in the States, also for the engineers, machinists, coach builders, cycle and motor trades. Mr Beighton is a past master in his profession, his motto being “One class of work, and that the best”. (The Cylopedia of Victoria, 1903-1905, Vol 1, p. 584).
