249–255 CANTERBURY ROAD / MALING ROAD SHOPPING CENTRE AND RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONS

249–255 Canterbury Road, inclusive of the main buildings and possible outbuildings, is of archaeological significance due to its relationship with early suburban Melbourne and the impact of early Victorian rail in the late 19th and early 20th century. Further, a review of the VHI indicates that there have been no retail shops listed outside of Melbourne’s CBD. There is potential through the investigation of deposits and remains to provide archaeological insight, coupled with the historical record, of a suburban retail space from the late 19th and early 20th century, linked with the birth of Victoria’s suburban rail network. Shops and services were vital in supporting the growth of Canterbury and surrounding suburbs. 249–255 Canterbury Road serviced the community from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century and can provide valuable insight into the daily lives of suburban communities.
Any buried foundations, deposits, or artefacts associated with these properties can have significant archaeological potential to help with our understanding of early 20th century suburban life.