“The two-storeyed poly-chrome brick building on the north-east corner of Fitzroy and Argyle Streets was built-during the late 1880s and spent much of its early years as a boot factory , being occupied first by Richard Norgrove and L.F. Colbath in the 1890s.” Lina Favrin – Yarra Past Port
“It was later occupied by Iron & Piper, from about 1900, followed by Iron & Co. from around 1910 and later occupied again as a boot factory by Thomas Layton in 1920s.” Lina Favrin – Yarra Past Port. However, in January 1920, it would appear for a period it operated under J E McLaughlin, as this was the date it was registered as a boot factory with the Council (Fitzroy City Press, 10 January 1920). The site was proposed to utilise the services of 34 males and 27 females in the production of boots and shoes.
“By 1941, the Transformers Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. had taken over the site and they continued to use it as a factory until the early 1970s.” Lina Favrin – Yarra Past Port
