Kilmore - Roaming Round Historic Kilmore (Survey Area)

Kilmore is Victoria's oldest inland settled town.

Apart from the Stone-Axe Quarry at Mt William, little is recorded, and little evidence remains regarding the lifestyle of Kilmore's Traditional Owners in the early days of European Settlement. Nevertheless our stroll around Kilmore will give you some idea of the early days of the township from a settler's viewpoint.

Following the overlanding by Hume and Hovell in 1824, squatters soon made their way into the area and as part of Hamlyn's Run, police were stationed near 'Green's Pinch' just 5km north of Kilmore in 1838.

William Rutledge bought his 'Special Survey' of eight square miles in 1841 and named the township, Kilmore after his Irish birthplace in County Cavan. With the filling of 'The Survey' with tenants, the town quickly grew into a thriving centre providing all the necessary infrastructures required for the processing and distribution of the produce coming from the farming communities as well as the social and economic requirements of the residents.

Clearly, the 1850's and 1860's were boom economic times following the discovery of gold and Kilmore was like a clearing-house for travellers heading to the gold-fields of the Ovens River and Mclvor.

Enjoy this approximately one hour's easy stroll of just 2km along Sydney Street through 'Rutledge's Special Survey'. So step back in time and enjoy the self-guided tour of 'The Survey'

Map of Route

Our tour commences as we leave the Visitor Information Centre at 12 Sydney Street. Crossing to the west side of Sydney Street you will see above the arcade the 1910 addition of the upper story to the old 1880's bakery. This location has operated continuously as a bakery from at least 1848 and possibly earlier. From the 'Star Bakery' it has operated through many names from Breakell's to Markham's until its closure in 1985. Although the old ovens are now gone the chimneys can still be seen in the rear of the courtyard.

The former State Savings Bank at No. 27 is typical of the buildings built for this bank in the 1920's. This one was built in 1927 and now continues as a commercial building since the demise of the SSB.



The Royal Oak Hotel is Kilmore's oldest operating hotel being basically rebuilt in 1860 by Matthew Murray who arrived in Melbourne from Co. Cavan in 1840 and who was a publican for over 40 years. The current building replaced prior hotels on the site since 1848.



This building at No. 37 was built for retail premises in about 1857 and has served as such over all this time in various capacities as drapery, jewellery, saddlery and real estate etc.

The former Colonial Bank building at No. 39 replaced a flourmill on the site commenced by J.K.Trainor and passed on to successive operators. In 1883 this building was built for the Bank to allow a move from its prior premises at No. 1 Powlett Street.



Kilmore's second oldest hotel, the Red Lion was built in 1856 originally with a short-lived veranda which collapsed within a decade. It was without a licence for a few years when it operated as a dancing school under 'Prof.' J.King.



At No. 57 we come to Mac's Hotel which commenced life as a 'hay and grain' store for J.K.Trainor. It was later converted into an 18 room hotel known at the time as the 'Hibernian' and further name-changes have occurred over the following years.



No. 61 was built in 1882 as a butcher shop for Mr. Brian Morrissey who came to Kilmore from Tipperary. His family operated the butcher's shop until the 1930's and it continued as a butcher shop until the late 20th century.



Crossing Union Street brings us to No. 67, built about 1860 as retail premises and has operated in such capacities as draper, chemist and clothing stores with the facade modified in the 1920's.



With its origins in the 19th Century, No. 69 has operated as a blacksmith's shop from the days of Thomas Phillips to the Strays and lastly to 'Toc Maher'. 'Toc' ceased trading in 1975 at age 71 1 after 58 years in the trade and was a well known identity in the town.

The old Kilmore Dairy at No. 71 started life as a residence in the 1890's and sometimes combined with a shop and was later modified for operation as a dairy early in the 1900's until recently.

At this point stop and look across the road to No. 70. In 1866 this building started life as Samuel Evans 'Black Bull' Hotel until 1881 when it became a part of Robert Young and Co's Universal Stores, providing all the household needs of the Kilmore community.

Just two doors down at No.74 is a modified building which started its life in 1860 as Maxfield's Flour Mill. This also became a part of the Robert Young Stores.

Continuing back on the western side of Sydney St at No. 83 is an unusual 1860's building which has operated as everything from bootmaker, barbershop to Norman Lingard's "Dragnil" bicycle manufacture & repairs. Norm garaged Hubert Opperman's bicycle in this building.

Across the laneway at No.85 is the imposing bluestone building, which was built in 1856 by George Hudson as a 'hay and corn' store which he continued for 30 years. Hudson became an eminent member of the community as Mayor, member of the Agricultural Society and the Freemason's Lodge.



Walking west up the laneway between these last two buildings brings us to No. 64 Melbourne St, the 1860's family home of another of Kilmore's identities in Thomas Hunt, journalist, who ultimately became proprietor of five regional newspapers. Note: This lane is now blocked off

Continue south to Union St and then turn west up Union St to Christ Church Anglican Church built in 1864, one of four bluestone Kilmore churches, with the north wall awaiting the construction of the bell tower. The original 1868 Rectory is behind to the west.



Returning back down the hill to Sydney St. and crossing to the east side, we now head south to 'London Mart' at No. 52, built in the 1880's. John McKenzie, father of Sir Colin McKenzie, founder of the Healesville Sanctuary, established Pascoe's Drapery Store here in the 1850's.

This shop at No. 48 which was probably built around 1890 has had some minor modifications and timber veranda removed.

The 'Hall of Commerce' at No. 42, built around 1860 was originally a two-storied building for Dobinson's Drapers, and either modified or rebuilt as single story after fire destroyed both this and 'Kilmore House' in 1900.

'Kilmore House' at No.40, built about 1890 as a tobacconists, was again originally a two-story building until the fire when the upper floor was removed.

The former 'All Nations Hotel' at No. 38 was built in 1865 and operated as a hotel until 1915. Continuing as retail premises it returned as an accommodation house in the 1920's and now it once again returns to retail use.

Across the Mill St Mall at No. 36 is a building originally built as a MUIOOF 'Oddfellows' Hall in 1876, being well utilised for balls and other grand social events. Later, with the advent of the movies it became the 'Astor Theatre' until at least the 1930's.

No. 32, built about 1855 for Alfred Sugden from Yorkshire, a member of Kilmore's first Council in 1856 and one-time Mayor. His family continued to operate here as retail premises into the 1930's.

Wallder's Butchers at No. 30 was built in 1907 and has been in the family now for 100 years and five generations. It replaced original butcher shops on the site and is now the last butcher shop in Kilmore.



At No. 28 these two buildings were built around 1880-90 with part built as a chemist shop for Felton Grimwade and managed by John McBurney for over fifty years. Following this three generations of the Glanville family operated a bootmakers shop here for 80 years until the 1970's and now has gone happily from boots to books.

Part of No. 24 was built by Joseph Biddle in 1862 after operating as a bootmaker since 1844 and joined with Joseph Biddle in a tannery business.

Whilst not the oldest building in the main street (1894), the Town Hall of the Shire of Kilmore must retain an important place in the fabric of the town and thankfully is now retained in community ownership. Its unique and ornate staircase up to the old Council chamber makes it well worth a visit.



This now brings us back to the Visitor Information Centre and the conclusion of the Sydney Street stroll. If you would like more, perhaps it's time for a coffee or a snack before turning this over and tackling the two-hour walk through the "New Township".

Note: This brochure can be obtained from the Kilmore Visitor Information Centre at 12 Sydney Street, Kilmore.

Photos:

Location

12 Sydney Street,  Kilmore 3764 Map

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Kilmore - Roaming Round Historic Kilmore (Survey Area)12 Sydney Street,, Kilmore, Victoria, 3764