THE next chapter of the Review’s history series features 69 Sydney Street, which has had a transformation over the last 40 years into the Kilmore Palace Chinese Restaurant.
For a large part of Kilmore’s history, this building, located just outside the intersection of Sydney Street and Union Street, was a blacksmith’s building. However, the building was then demolished and subsequently transformed.
Many blacksmiths have called the business home in the history of the building, which lasted 124 years from 1860 to 1984.
The history of the building was captured by the Kilmore Historical Society, with a plaque attached to the front of the building to help tourists and historians understand the history of the town’s buildings.
The plaque at 69 Sydney Street reads:
Former Blacksmith’s Shop c1860
The building was constructed c1860 with façade changes made c1925.
The site was originally owned by James Tanswell, who is believed to be a former convict.
No history is available between 1849-1872, after which it was successively occupied by a number of blacksmiths, including Edward Weaver, Thomas Phillips, and Charles Stray (c1931-38).
Patrick “Toc” Maher had his blacksmith’s shop here from c1938-1976.
The blacksmith’s shop was demolished in 1984 and rebuilt to house a restaurant, using bricks from the former building.”
