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Tops to Tails

Location 157-159 Gray St and Eastside of McGuigar Lane HAMILTON, Southern Grampians Shire File Number HAMDS041 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/1] 26530 Tops to Tails

Statement of Significance

SIGNIFICANCE: Early building in Gray Street which was always used for commercial purposes. Owned by EW Stapylton Bree, a leading merchant and public figure. Later shop window by Gill.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE


Tops to Tails
157 Gray Street

This building has local significance for its architectural interest as an early Gray Street shop with a 1920s Gill shopfront and for its possible historical associations with the merchants R S Bree and A T Dickens. A rate book search suggests that the shop may date from the late 1870s when Bree & Dickens owned stone stores and an office in Crown Allotments 12 & 13, Section 4, in Gray Street. ([i]) In 1865, Bree (1839-1907) from Cornwall, became the manager of S G Henty's Warrayure property and in 1871 married his daughter, Annie Henty. ([ii]) The site of No. 157 Gray Street was owned by S G Henty in 1852. A 1938 drainage plan confirms that the front portion of No. 157 Gray Street was stone with brick additions at the rear. ([iii]) Bree came to Hamilton in 1872, purchased an auctioneer's business, and became a leading townsman. He was a councillor, Mayor, and he owned the substantial Bewsall property. ([iv]) His partner, Arthur Tennyson Dickens, was the son of the celebrated author, Charles Dickens. ([v]) The owner of the property in the 1930s was G Strangio. ([vi])


The building shows a restrained Classicism in its architecture. It must have had a two storey verandah ([vii]) which has been replaced by the Council's standard 1960s cantilever design. The 1920s shopfront has suffered only superficial changes. The building is in fair condition.