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FORMER BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE AND SHOP

Other Name FORMER BLACKSMITHS COTTAGE AND FORGE Location 100-102 MAIN STREET BACCHUS MARSH, MOORABOOL SHIRE File Number 601792 Parts 1 - 4 Closed Level Registered

[1/9] FORMER BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE [2/9] FORMER BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE [3/9] FORMER BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE [4/9] FORMER BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE [5/9] FORMER BLACKSMITH'S COTTAGE [6/9] 1 former blacksmiths cottage & [7/9] former blacksmiths cottage & [8/9] former blacksmiths cottage & [9/9] former blacksmiths shop

Statement of Significance

Located at the junction of the Government Road to Maddingley and the main Government Road from Melbourne to Ballarat, the site has been occupied by a blacksmith since 1852 and possibly as early as 1850. The complex is of major
historic importance because of its direct associations with the function of Bacchus Marsh as a staging point along the "Gold" Road from Melbourne to Ballarat. The site was in continuous use as a blacksmith and wheelwright's premises and cottage until 1940 with various additions occurring until c.1930. It was the last "smithy" to survive in the town.

The cottage is described as constructed of stone in 1852, however, the rear timber section which abuts the stone section remaining posts suggesting that the stone wall was built later. The structure of the rear timber rooms and verandah is interesting in several aspects:
* the morticed heads to the doors, suggesting construction prior to the establishment of the Blacksmith's shop where nails are common;
* the lack of a ceiling although in 1975 the calico lining was still in place;
* partial lining to interior walls;
* beaded profile weatherboards.

The blacksmith's shop is the second on the site but is of great importance in maintaining the continuity of function and historical associations of the complex with the earliest gold rush days and possibly the pre-gold pastoral settlement of the area.