Ascot Vale Heritage Trail
The walk starts at the corner of Union Road and Maribyrnong Road and takes in many fascinating sites of historical interest in the Ascot Vale area, west of the railway line. Many of the buildings you will see on this walk are private residences. Please enjoy the sights from the street, and resist the temptation to venture onto any of the properties.
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Concrete, bitumen
Limited wheelchair access: All sections of this trail are sealed with some road crossings
Parking: Parking is available in Union Road and Maribyrnong Road
Ascot Vale Heritage Trail Map
Ascot Vale Heritage Trail Walk Notes
1 Union Hotel
The Union Hotel was built in 1889. Notice the ornate facade of the building with its columns and urns.
2 Shop fronts - 239 Union Road
This art deco former menswear shop was built in 1935. A Victorian house where the late Dr. Sam Merrifield resided still stands behind the shop. There are shops dating from 1885 along the western side of Union Road.
Cross over Union Road and walk down Union Road on the western side. Turn right down The Parade.
3 The Birds' sculptures
These sculptures by local artist Bruce Armstrong were carved from pine recycled from trees that formed the Avenue of Honour.
4 New Ascot Theatre (Now Happy Receptions)
The New Ascot Theatre opened in 1923 and seated 1,600. It was one of seven local theatres in the district between 1925 and 1960. It operated until the early 1970s and was one of the last to close. More information can be found on the plaque.
Continue south along Union Road.
5 Colonial Bank of Australasia (W. J Cox Property)
This property, owned by Estate Agent WJ. Cox, served as the Colonial Bank from 1890 until 1897. Cox operated his business from the premises from 1898 to 1914.
6 Ascot Vale Branch Library
The E.S. and A Bank and later the ANZ bank operated from this site from 1923 to 1975. The Ascot Vale Branch Library now occupies the building, which was remodelled in 1997.
Turn right into St Leonards Road.
7 The Temperance Township Triangle
Temperance Township, bounded by Epsom, Maribyrnong and Union Roads, was established in 1882. No liquor could be sold or brewed within the township. Read more about this early subdivision on the information panel on the Library.
8 Ascot Vale Church of Christ
This building was erected as a school building in 1937. Miss Sarah Morse conducted her private school, Easthope, from a hall behind the premises for a short time before moving to a premises in The Parade.
Turn right into Ferguson Street.
9 Corner Shop St Leonards Rd & The Parade
The brick shop on the northwest corner was built as a grocer's shop for John Moore & Sons in 1888. In 1950 it became Ascot Refrigeration.
10 Ascot Vale Volunteer Fire Station
Located at 17 Ferguson St, it was opened in 1890 and featured a 75 foot tower - one of the tallest in Melbourne at that time. The station was taken over by the MFB in 1891 and operated until 1927 when a new fire Station was built in Union Road.
Turn left into Maribyrnong Rd and left into Holdsworth St.
11 Brick Building (West Side)
This is thought to have been the stables of the property on the corner of The Parade (No 162A) and was built in about 1930.
Cross The Parade and continue to St Leonards Road.
12 Temperance Hall
The hall, built in 1891, occupied the southwest corner of Holdsworth St and St Leonards Rd. Purchased by St Marys as a Church Hall in 1915 it was destroyed by fire in 1975. The foundation stone is now in front of the Moonee Ponds Courthouse Museum. Read the plaque that is located in the nature strip.
Walk east up St Leonards Road.
13 St Marys Roman Catholic Church
This Church was built between 1934 and 1938. The grounds contain the only known burial site in the district -that of Priest Fr Henry Francis Bakker, who died June 1950.
Turn right into Ferguson Street, left into Roseberry Street.
14 Roseberry Street
Originally named Rose Street after active resident and former Councillor William Rose.
15 Victorian Cottage (No 45)
Note the structure of the Victorian cottage. As the family grew, the house was extended at the rear to accommodate its needs.
16 Coronation Free Kindergarten
Essendon Council established a Free Kindergarten in the district in 1938, the year of the Coronation of King George VI. This building was opened in 1941 to accommodate 30 children. Note the old Victorian houses in Roseberry Street. Most were built circa 1885 and are the original homes of the residents of Temperance Township.
Proceed to Union Road. Cross over to the east side of the street.
17 Union Hall
The hall was opened in 1890 by Hon. Alfred Deakin, who later became Prime Minister of Australia. From 1911 it was used as a picture theatre and renamed George's Hall. In 1918 it became known as Paramount Theatre, screening the first motion picture in the district.
Proceed north along Union Road to Maribyrnong Road to complete the walk.
Acknowledgements Essendon Historical Society Inc.
Location
Cnr Union Road and Maribyrnong Road, Ascot Vale 3032 Map
Web Links
→ Ascot Vale Heritage Trail Brochure (PDF)
