Author Archives: Rach

“The building was occupied by a succession of footwear manufacturers from when it was built in about 1880. The earliest Proprietor was J.H. Wynn and finally H.C. Gordon Pty. Ltd by 1920 when it was taken over by Anderson & Ritchie’s foundry.” Lina Favrin – Yarra Past Port

“This is another two-storied boot factory typical of the medium-sized boot factories that flourished in Fitzroy between 1880 and the 1930s. The building was completed in August 1902 for for G. Burston & F. Treleaven, a bootmaking firm and the company continued operating the factory until the 1930s. . In 1941, the building was listedContinue reading “68 Leicester Street, Fitzroy”

In 1837 Robert Hoddle, the colony’s Surveyor General, divided undeveloped paddocks north of the boundary of the Melbourne area into square mile allotments. The government reserved some of the land for the main boundary streets, including Alexandra Parade, which was originally called North Government Road, and then Darebin Road, then Reilly Street, before becoming AlexandraContinue reading “Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy”

Paddle Bros. came to Reid St in 1906 in a major expansion and built a two story factory. (Yarra Past Port) “This 1948 photo shows the addition of a third level to meet the production boom of post war (WW 1) Australia. The extension was completed in 1922 and followed a successful export of shoesContinue reading “4 Reid Street, Fitzroy North”

“This building was constructed in 1883 for the Trustees of Friendly Societies.  This Society was one of the Clubs which grew up as a method of Health insurance for wealthy subscribers who paid a set fee for the services of a qualified suburban practitioner.  It is superbly executed in unpainted cement render (part from heContinue reading “287-291 Gore Street, Fitzroy (also 118 Greeves St, Fitzroy) The Dispensary / Russian House”

“These houses were constructed prior to 1859 probably for William Virgol who rented the properties out.  An attempt was made to trace the properties in the Melbourne City Council Records, but without success.  It is possible that five of these terraces were those designed by Chares Webb in 1858 but this has not been verified. Continue reading “36-50 Gore Street, Fitzroy”

“The Inner circle Railway Line was constructed from 1884, after the Victorian Government passed the Railway Construction Act which authorised the vast expansion of the rail network through construction by private companies. In 1884, there was no direct service between Princes Bridge (now Flinders Street) and the Collingwood area, and connecting these inner northern suburbsContinue reading “Inner Circle Railway Line, Park Street, Fitzroy North”