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PLUMBER'S SHOP, DWELLING & SHED

Other Names

TINSMITH'S SHOP , WALTER'S PLUMBERS , ROSS'S PLUMBER

Location

70-72 Bell Street, PENSHURST VIC 3289 - Property No 0022

File Number

985

Level

Stage 2 study complete

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?
The Plumber's Shop, dwelling and shed is located on the north-east corner of Bell and French Streets in the centre of the township of Penshurst. The shop and dwelling are combined with the shop front in the south-east corner of the site and the dwelling with its timber verandah slightly set back from the street frontage.
The overall structure is timber framed and most of the walls are clad with weatherboards except for the west wall of the shop which is vertical corrugated iron. The shop a dwelling are of vernacular construction style, and retain an early colour scheme of deep cream and red which would probably date from the late 1920s. The shed at the rear is located in the north-west corner of the site. It is a simple timber framed building clad completely in corrugated iron. The land falls away substantially to the north-east and much of the site is devoted to a garden, of which there is some remnant plantings. It is not known what the site was used for prior to the house being built (prior to 1901), but the shop was constructed about 1905 by James Dingwell Walter, a plumber. The shop remained as a plumber's until about 1920, when it changed ownership. Later owners included William C. Ross, farmer, in 1930 and Clifford Ross, mechanic, in 1934. The shop, dwelling and shed retain a high degree of integrity throughout although in very poor condition.

How is it significant?
The plumber's shop, dwelling and shed are of historical significance to the township of Penshurst and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it Significant?
The timber store and residence is of historical significance for its links to two important local families, the Walters (who were plumbers) and the Ross'. It is of further historical significance as a rare surviving example of an early twentieth century complex which provides an understanding of a past way of life in rural towns.

Group

Parks, Gardens and Trees