Stories

manufacturing, Marrickville

Marrickville Margarine Factory

The Marrickville Margarine Co Ltd was founded in Edinburgh Road, Marrickville by Charles Abel on 20 October 1908. Image Source: Library of NSW Abel had owned a bakery in Newtown, and inspired by a butter shortage he set out to manufacture a substitute for pastry and cake fat. With World War I rationing and the… Continue reading Marrickville Margarine Factory

Entertainment, Marrickville

Marrickville Eisteddfod

The first Marrickville Eisteddfod was held at the Railway Institute Hall (Chalmers Street, Surry Hills) from April 6th to April 17th, 1935. The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 6 February 1935, page 17 Source: trove.nla.gov.au The Eisteddfod's were originally established for Railway employees and their families (later being opened to the public) and… Continue reading Marrickville Eisteddfod

Estates, heritage lost, Maps, Marrickville, street names

Street Names: Harrison Street & Woodbury Street

Harrison Street was named after James Start Harrison who was the owner of Woodbury.Woodbury was built in the 1880s and the land it stood was subdivided after James' death in 1902.Image Source: National Library of AustraliaFrom 1907 to 1914, the house functioned as Ermelo Private Hospital, before becoming the Lisgar Children's Home. The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW… Continue reading Street Names: Harrison Street & Woodbury Street

council, Marrickville

Photo Histories: Marrickville Council Steam Rollers & Trucks

Our local heritage is not always bricks & mortar. These photos show some of the vehicles uses by Marrickville Council in times past.Image Source: Marrickville CouncilThis photo was taken in Stanmore Road in 1925.The National Museum of Australia says that Marrickville Council used a Aveling & Porter Model O, No 12539, Quick Reverse Tandem Steamroller… Continue reading Photo Histories: Marrickville Council Steam Rollers & Trucks

Heritage Homes, heritage lost, Marrickville

Heritage Lost: Brockleigh Mansion

Sometimes heritage is lost through neglect. Sometimes it's not been valued enough.  Brookleigh House at 86 Illawarra Road was lost through an act of vandalism. The mansion, built in 1886, was home to Theodore Anthony Clark, brother of retailer Henry Marcus Clark. It was one of few Victorian villas left in the area. While ostentatious… Continue reading Heritage Lost: Brockleigh Mansion

Celebrations, council, Marrickville

Winged Victory – Missing in Action

Image Source: War Memorials NSW For the second time since it was erected, the Winged Victory Soldier's Memorial outside the Marrickville Town Hall has gone. Locals know it has been MIA for several years now, but the most popular question asked of us at the Marrickville Festival is "When will it return?". The simple answer… Continue reading Winged Victory – Missing in Action

Entertainment, heritage lost, Petersham, Stanmore

Heritage Lost: Mastertouch Piano Roll Company

After having written the post about the Stanmore Fire Station and it's subsequent sale to the Mastertouch Piano Roll company I sadly received an email saying the former owner of Mastertouch (and a MHS member), Barclay Wright had passed away peacefully on 25 February, 2013 after a short illness. The Sydney Morning Herald - September… Continue reading Heritage Lost: Mastertouch Piano Roll Company

Architecture, Enmore, heritage, military history

Then & Now: 64 Chapel Street, Marrickville

Image: Australian War Memorial During World War II, 64 Chapel Road, Marrickville was the home of the Marrickville Ordance Store No 1. It was a unit of the 2nd Central Ordance Department. The Australian War Memorial image collection includes exterior and interior pictures of the property. Image: Australian War Memorial Image: Australian War Memorial The… Continue reading Then & Now: 64 Chapel Street, Marrickville