FORMER BRITISH MART SITE

 The area was first mapped as allotment 3 of Section E, Main Road Ballarat. The 1857 E, F and H Revised plan, shows two timber buildings with no known cellars, one cesspit to the north and three outbuildings. British Mart was predominantly a drapery and millinery. It housed several clothier traders until the 20th century. The site shows 2m3m of fill across the site, likely capping early gold rush deposits. 

 The site is of historical and archaeological significance. 

 The site is of historical significance as the location of an early residence and drapery during the years of the Victorian gold rush – one of the most significant rushes in world history. The site is of archaeological significance due to its potential to contain artefacts, deposits and features that relate to the establishment of commercial operations in the gold rush, and other later 19th century and early 20th century activities.