FARM COMPLEX

The stone outbuilding at 197 Red Tank Road built c.1860 including the interior, is significant. The house, although of a similar date of construction has been significantly altered and is of lesser interest. 

The stone outbuilding and house is of local historical and architectural significance to the City of Greater Bendigo.

The stone outbuilding and to a lesser extent the house, at 197 Red Tank Road is of historical significance for its direct links to the farming traditions of the German immigrants who came to Australia firstly in search of gold, then to establish agricultural and viticultural activities in the district. It was owned by a number of the German families including originally Heinrich Schmidt in 1853, followed by Franz Mueller in 1857 and Henry Backhalt in 1868. Criterion A

The stone barn is an extremely long construction and was possibly extended several times, although the same stonework was used each time and there are only faint clues as to where additional work was constructed. It is the largest and most intact barn in the study area and has a highly intact interior with a loft floor constructed of palings, and timber divisions for animals some of which are of split timber. The roof structure has been altered and the roof cladding is of corrugated iron, although it is likely that shingles or palings were the original roof covering. The barn is rare in the study area, and is one of the best examples of German construction. The setting has stone walls throughout the paddocks, and a stone house that has been altered substantially. Criterion E, B