Industrial Traces-general background theme commenced September 2015
INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH re Faded Signs was planned and started for this site in 2015 and also for my part in Melbourne Ghost Signs Facebook page.
Working on grouping of my signs/historical interests by area and related businesses/communities. Some examples of "industrial and retailing critical mass groupings" from 19&20th centuries Melbourne are:
1. Abbotsford - Tanning, Brick making Leather and Wool, Breweries and Food Production around Victoria Street Abbotsford between Burnley and Church streets- backing on to Yarra river. Key reference: Collingwood Historical Society Walk
2. Richmond - Heavy equipment production, matches, food, shoes, clothing and textiles, yeast, breweries, church organs, metal fabrication. Key Reference: Hard Yakka, Richmond Historical Society etc.,
3. Collingwood and Fitzroy - Textiles, Wool Products conversion, Confectionery, large scale merchandising and distribution of clothes and furniture
4. Hawthorn - Brick-making, Home Preserving Bottling Kits, Department Store, Carriage production
5. Prahran and Surrounds - Biscuit, Cakes and Bread manufacture and distribution
Some of the well known company and brand names I intend to focus on are MacRobertsons, Foy and Gibson, Phoenix Biscuits, Pelaco, Alexanders, Rosella, Bryant and May, Maples, Moran&Cato ----- the list is almost endless but the aim is to demonstrate how the social fabric of the times was heavily influenced by the companies that employed and sometimes housed people.
I have started with Richmond today and have some Abbotsford places to follow. They are shown in Pages listed top right and I also have a link there to Guildford Lane in Melbourne City.
