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Two storey building (former Mewkell's Chemist shop), 71 Napier Street, ST ARNAUD
Location71 Napier Street ST ARNAUD, NORTHERN GRAMPIANS SHIRE LevelRecommended for Heritage Overlay |
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Statement of Significance
The former Chemist's Shop and Residence, 71 Napier Street, St. Arnaud, makes a significant architectural and visual contribution to the predominantly Victorian and Federation streetscape. This building was constructed in 1867 for Henry Bewley, early St. Arnaud chemist. It was later occupied from 1899 by H.J. Mewkill, chemist, who leased it from James Brain until Brain's death in 1923. Mewkill's son was still operating the pharmacy in 1955. The building has significance as a reasonably intact, although unfortunately overpainted, Victorian dichromatic brick commercial building in St. Arnaud. The former Chemist's Shop and Residence is architecturally significant at a LOCAL level.Although partially altered, it demonstrates original design qualities of a Victorian commercial style. These qualities include the simple parapet and projecting brick cornice that crown the building, incised rectangular title panel and two single timber framed double hung windows. Other intact qualities include the two storey height, dichromatic brick wall construction (but not overpainting), and the form and proportions of the ground floor shopfront, ingo and door openings. The former Chemist's Shop and Residence is historically significant at a LOCAL level. It is associated with commercial developments in St. Arnaud in the 19th century, notably with the establishment of Henry Bewley's pharmacy from 1867 and with the development of H.J. Mewkill's pharmacy from 1899 until at least 1955. The building also has associations with G.B. McNair, dentist, during the early 20th century, and with James Brain, owner from the late 19th century until his death in 1923. The former Chemist's Shop and Residence is socially significant at a LOCAL level. It is recognised by the St. Arnaud community as having public value as one of the early pharmacies constructed in the 19th century that operated until at least the early 20th century. Overall, the former Chemist's Shop and Residence is of LOCAL significance.
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