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THOMSON AND CO. IRON STORE (FORMER)

Other Names IRON STORE ,  HENTY WOOL STORE Location 82a- 82b Whyte Street, COLERAINE VIC 3315 - Property No 1088 File Number 63 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/4] 23212 Iron Store former [2/4] 23212 Iron Store former 0434 [3/4] 23212 Iron Store former [4/4] 23212 Iron Store former

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The former Thomson & Co. Iron Store at 82a and 82b Whyte Street, Coleraine is a large single storey, double fronted brick shop with a residence at the rear. It was built in 1866 by an important architect, John S. Jenkins for Thomson and Co, and later occupied by Stephen G. Henty & Co., a prominent merchant, landholder and one of the Henty Brothers who are considered to be the first pioneering family in the area. In the nineteenth century, the building was primarily used to service the local agricultural and pastoral community, providing general household an agricultural goods and equipment. In 1906, Robert Poynter, a local chemist moved his premises to the store, the store continued to be run as a chemist until the mid twentieth century. The building has been modified and now appears in a condition which reflects the early twentieth century.

How is it significant?
The former Thompson and Co. Iron Store of historical and architectural significance to the township of Coleraine and to the Shire of Southern Grampians.

Why is it significant?
The former Thomson and Co. Iron store is of historical significance for its long association with the pastoral and agricultural communities surrounding Coleraine. The store's usage in the nineteenth century as a provider of general goods and agricultural supplies and equipment represent the changing social currents and land use patterns in Victoria in the later nineteenth century. Major social changes such as the introduction of closer settlement and an increase in the population as small farmers took up selections increased the need for provision of general and agricultural goods. It is of further historical significance for its associations with a number of important local individuals and businesses, including the company who the store was designed and built for, Thomson and Co. The store's construction as a 'branch' of Thomson and Co. (suppliers of clothing, drapery, footwear, groceries, ironmongery, house furnishings, tents and ploughs) is an example of the early commercial economy, built on pastoralism, where a local business could open branches in the smaller towns. The store was also occupied by Stephen Henty & Co., one of the Henty Brothers, famous for being the first white people to settle Victoria. Henty was also an important Portland merchant, and owner of nearby Merino Downs and many other pastoral holdings. The store is of particular historical significance for its ownership and association with James Ferrier, a local inventor who was internationally renowned for his designs, the Ferrier Harvester and Woolpress. This store was where many of his inventions were sold to local farmers, for whom many of the inventions were designed. Ferrier's occupation of the store is important as he was a local farmer who invented devices to make farming practices easier for those on the land, who then went on to sell these devices along with other agricultural equipment from the former store. Historically, it demonstrates the way of life of many pastoral and agricultural communities, particularly in the mid to late nineteenth century and the way they obtained supplies. It is of further historical interest for its associations with the local chemist, turned dentist, Robert Poynter, whose move to the strategically located site in 1906. His occupation of the store was historically important as it is representative of growing the needs of the people of the township to have services provided, rather than those outside the township. It also represents an increasing focus on local health services within the township. The store is of architectural significance for its associations with the important local architect, John S. Jenkins.