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GRAVE, COBBLESTONE PAVEMENT AND WC

Location

36 Stirling Street DUNKELD, Southern Grampians Shire

File Number

520

Level

Stage 2 study complete

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
A grave, cobblestone pavement and water closet are located on the site of the former hotel in Stirling Street Dunkeld. The substantial double WC is built of coursed rockface bluestone rubble with dressed and rockface Grampians sandstone quoins and lintels. The internal dividing stone wall and the seats have been removed.
The pavement is of mixed stones, roughly textured slightly sloping to the centre and with a central drain of dressed stones for two-thirds of its length. There are regularly spaced small mortices in the stones immediately to the north of the drain suggesting a fence or railing. The grave, cobblestone pavement and water closet are the remaining physical fabric of Gwyther's Family hotel, opened in 1863. The grave, cobblestone pavement and WC are in good condition and retain a very high degree of integrity.

How is it significant?
The grave, cobblestone, pavement and WC are of historic significance to the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
The site is of historical significance as the last remaining fabric of Gwyther's Family Hotel, opened in 1863, and the only two storey hotel in Dunkeld. The grave shows a previous way of life, where early burials were able to take place outside of cemeteries or church yards, and the danger and rough nature of the early township. The WC and cobblestones also give insight into the running of an early hotel site, complete with outside lavatory, and a cobbled courtyard leading to what may have been stables. All the elements of the site are of historical significance.

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