SMITHY'S FORGE RUINS CERES

539 BARRABOOL ROAD CERES, GREATER GEELONG CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    SMITHY'S FORGE RUINS CERES - History

    Cottage built by Edward Edwards, who acquired the land in 1858. Historical records show that a row of cottages ran along the western boundary of this block, while a church was located in the southwest corner. No trace of these was apparent, although the owner related that the church footings were still visible in recent times. The area is now covered by a large shed and by long grass.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    SMITHY'S FORGE RUINS CERES - Heritage Inventory Description

    A sandstone cottage ruin. The cottage was built by Edward Edwards, who acquired the land in 1858. The walls are constructed in regular courses, using stones of various sizes, laid in lime mortar. Only the east wall and part of the south remain. The footings of the north wall are partially preserved, while there is no visible trace of the west wall. The structure consisted of a front section, facing Barrabool Road, which was of two storeys. The upper storey is no longer extant. A single-storey, skillion roofed room ran across the south (rear) side of the structure. A row of cypress trees has been planted along the north and west side of the cottage, at a higher level than the cottage foundations; these trees appear to have severely damaged the structural remains on these two sides. To the east of the cottage, the current owner has reported that he has found in situ archaeological deposits (a flagstone floor?), on the site of a former blacksmith shop. The current owner now lives in a sandstone cottage (restored) that stood to the east of the blacksmith (formerly Whitfield's cottage).

    Regional historical significance.

    Recorded by: David Rowe & Vincent Clark. Date Recorded:?

    Sandstone cottage ruin, cypress trees, flagstone floor/blacksmith's forge ruin
    
    

    Integrity: Partially excavated

    Archeological Potential: The site has been damaged extensively by the present owner, who has been undertaking an amateur excavation within the cottage ruins, using a bobcat to remove soil, exposing internal wall footings and surfaces and excavating numerous historical artefacts. He has also been excavating in the area of the blacksmith's shop. He has reported that the cottage was used by the blacksmith as a paintshop and storage area, after it ceased to be used for domestic purposes. Cans of paint and vairous artefacts associated with the smithy were removed from here. It is likely that there remain considerable  in situ archaeological deposits in this area. There may stil be undisturbed deposits in and around the cottage, while the areas of the blacksmith and the church may be largely undisturbed, being covered by garden beds  and by long grass respectively. This site and the surrounding area along both sides of Barrabool Road may contain in situ  archaeological deposits which have the potential to illustrate the early history of this township. Undisturbed examples of such townships are rare.

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