CONTINUING our stories on the recent installation of plaques for some of Kilmore’s historic buildings is 28 Sydney Street, a place to buy new and second hand books.
Its plaque reads:
28 Sydney Street
Former Glanville’s Boot Store c1890
The northern section comprising shop and residence was constructed c1890, possibly for John McBurney who had purchased Felton, Grimwade and Co’s chemist business which he had been managing at another site since 1865.
The smaller, single story southern section is thought to have been constructed c1910.
The property remained in the McBurney family until purchased by Richard Glanville, bootmaker, in 1934. Three generations of Glanvilles operated the boot store until 1982.
Following Miss Joyce Glanville’s death in 1996 the property was again sold.
The Kilmore Bookstore took up occupancy in 1997.
Kilmore Historical Society committee member Rose King said the gold rush benefited Kilmore traders as it was on the road to the McIvor goldfields.
“Around the 1860’s there was a big boom in Kilmore,” she said.
“But it didn’t last very long because when the railway came through, goods and stock were moved via the railway rather than the road. So, the boom times only lasted about 10 years.”
“Many would-be prospectors got no further than Kilmore as they stopped and set up businesses.
Such was the impact of the Victorian goldrush, that by the end of 1852, an influx of 90,000 newcomers flocked to Victoria, many of these would have travelled through Kilmore and bought boots on the way.
While infrastructure in Ballarat and Bendigo grew to accommodate its iconic status with railways, roads, libraries, theatres, art galleries and stock exchanges; Sydney Street is still used as the main arterial for freighting goods and stock despite residents and Mitchell Shire Council advocating for its bypass since 1995.
Next week in our history series, the Review will reveal the location of another plaque and also the latest Kilmore Historical Society publication.
Thank you Nicole, firstly for pointing out the spelling mistake and next for reading my story.
It is corrected.
Bought boots not brought. Unless the brought them with the and didn’t buy them.