Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Anderson's Mill Bridge

Other Name Smeaton Mill Bridge Location Birch Street Crossing,, SMEATON VIC 3364 - Property No B6920 File Number B6920 Level State

[1/4] B6920 Andersons Mill Bridge [2/4] B6920 Andersons Mill Bridge [3/4] B6920 Andersons Mill Bridge [4/4] B6920 Andersons Mill Bridge

Statement of Significance

What is significant? Anderson's Mill Bridge is a three span road bridge with blue stone piers and abutments withtimber superstructure and handrails. The transverse timber deck is 25 metres long. It was built c. 1890 to provide access to Anderson's flourmill (VHR H1521).
How is it significant? Anderson's Mill Bridge is significant for historical and aesthetic reasons at the State level.
Why is it significant? Anderson's Mill Bridge is historically significant as the best, and probably the only, fully-intact and authentic medium-sized Victorian bluestone and timber-beam bridge surviving from the late nineteenth century. Its timber superstructure, featuring massive square-hewn beams and corbels is the best-preserved and most authentic example of a timber superstructure for a timber-and-masonry bridge, extant in Victoria. The solid squared-bluestone abutments, wingwalls and piers are among the best surviving examples of their kind.
Anderson's Mill Bridge is aesthetically significant as a very attractive bridge adjacent to the even older bluestone masonry buildings of Anderson's Mill, noted for its water race and waterwheel. The bridge crosses a scenic creek in park-like surrounds and is an integral part of the historic environs of the Anderson's mill complex.
Classified: 03/08/1998