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TURNER'S SHOPS AND RESIDENCE

Location 23-25 Memorial Road GLENTHOMPSON, Southern Grampians Shire File Number 663 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/4] 23454 Turner s Store [2/4] 23454 Turner s Store [3/4] 23454 Turners Store [4/4] 23454 Turners Store

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Turner's Shops and Residence are located on the south side of Memorial Road, in the centre of Glenthompson. The pair of shops are identical symmetrical single storey brick shops, abutting the pavement. The house is in the very late Victorian style, a single storey timber structure with a side entrance, set back from the street. The land on which they stand was the first land taken up in Glenthompson, by John McLennan, who is considered to be the founding father of the township. McLennan built the first "Mac's Hotel" on the site in the early 1870s, and operated a hotel, store and postal service from the building. The advent of the railway prompted John McLennan to build a second "Mac's Hotel" opposite the Railway Station in Station Street later in the 1870s. Subsequent subdivision of the land saw part donated for a Mechanics Institute, and part became an extension of McLennan Street, to allow access through to the highway. It is thought that the pair of brick shops date from the very early twentieth century, and the timber residence from the late nineteenth century. There has been no architect or builder associated with the design of either structure. Both buildings are in fair condition, and retain a good degree of integrity externally.


How is it significant?
The shops and residence are of historical significance to the township of Glenthompson and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
The shops and residence, known as Turner's are of historical significance for the sites connections with the important John McLennan, who built the first substantial structure on this site in the 1870s, Mac's Hotel. The site is of further historical significance for its changing use over time, to have been subdivided several times, and large portions donated to the Glenthompson Mechanic's Institute, and to create a public road. Of further interest is the later occupation of the residence and pair of shops by a variety of businesses, the most important of which was the Turner's who operated the shop and lived in the residence for many years.