WILLIAM WILSON'S STORE SITE

50 DONNYBROOK ROAD MICKLEHAM, HUME CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    WILLIAM WILSON'S STORE SITE - History

    The Donnybrook Village Reserve was set aside in the original 1838 survey and its street pattern was determined by about 1850. The settlement (originally known as 'Rocky Water Holes') was a hive of activity by 1849, with the Argus of 12 December that year recording 'a fine store . two first rate inns, a post office, a watch-house etc.' and that passing traffic was 'very great. no less than 98 drays loaded with wool touched at this place last week'.

    Between 1840 and 1860 the settlement was an important overnight stop for bullock-drivers and travellers to the north-east. The village was surveyed in 1852 and re-named Donnybrook when the post office was transferred here from Kinlochewe in 1853. It especially flourished during the 1850s because of travellers to the gold fields, at which time it had a police station, gaol and courthouse, a church, a school, a tannery and a flour mill. A cemetery was established in the locality around 1860, and by the mid 1870s most of the land in the area was well established as agricultural and pastoral freehold and village settlements had sprung up both at the railway line at the current Donnybrook and on the main north-south roads. To reflect this separation, the latter was renamed Kalkallo in 1874 by government proclamation.

    With regard to the site, the Argus newspaper of 1849 reports that 'Mr Wilson, the late respected corn factor of Melbourne, has a fine store here and has also been instrumental in casuing a very pleasant change in the much frequented inn. He being the landlord. (Payne 1980). A plan of Donnybrook in 1855 drawn by J. McGregor is endorsed 'Mr Wilson's Plan' and shows William Wilson's buildings to the north of the Rocky Water Holes (Kalkallo Creek) with a mill site 'immediately south of that feature, adjoining the fountain inn' (Payne 1980).

    (Partly derived from Maloney & Johnson 1998)

    Archaeological Significance

    WILLIAM WILSON'S STORE SITE - Archaeological Significance

    A prominent European pear tree (Pyrus Communis) stands to the south, and to its west a surface artefact scatter was observed comprising glass and ceramic fragments. The ground to the north of the ruin is undulating suggesting that it has been disturbed, and this area may contain evidence of further more ephemeral structures.

    Further research is required to determine the location and likely relationship to the site of Wilson's flour mill and inn.

    A large number of artefacts were recorded on the surface around the features and further afield, and surface inspection suggests that the site contains sub-surface deposits relating to more features than are immediately apparent on the surface. The site therfore has a high potential to produce archaeological information concerning the development of the Donnybrook (Kalkallo) township.

    Historical Significance

    WILLIAM WILSON'S STORE SITE - Historical Significance

    The remains in the site are significant as amongst the few tangible remnants of the 19th century Donnybrook (Kalkallo) township, and for their likely role in supplying this major route north to the goldfields.

    Interpretation of Site

    WILLIAM WILSON'S STORE SITE - Interpretation of Site

    The site comprises a rectangular bluestone ruin together with a series of rubble piles which may conceal the foundations of other structures with a large and confused area of cobble paving, with some brick, to its north west. This group of features, which probably represents William Wilson's store, is appraoched from the south east by a cobbled roadway in a slight depression. Artefacts recorded nearby included ceramic fragments and lead flashing, perhaps relating to plumbing.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    WILLIAM WILSON'S STORE SITE - Heritage Inventory Description

    A rectangular buestone ruin, a large area of cobbles and two piles of bluestone rubble, lying amongst a scatter of glass and ceramics. A cobbled roadway in a slight depression approached from the south.

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