CRICKETER’S ARMS HOTEL was opened by Mr W. Coleman on the 1st of October 1872. A report in the ‘Warrnambool Standard’ of the day described it as a fine, substantial bluestone building near the spring, 65 feet to Martin Street, by a depth of the same extent, containing 8 fine rooms with substantial stabling. Owned by James & Mary Grogan from 1901 to 1909. In 1909 the hotel was deprived of its license by the Licences Reduction Board of Victoria. It became the Moyne boarding house. The hotel is now a private residence.
BANK OF VICTORIA was built on this comer in 1869 but didn't open until a few years later. It was the first bank in Penshurst. In 1898 bank manager was robbed at gun point of about £600 in notes gold and silver.
The bank was taken over by Commercial banking co. of Sydney but closed during WW2. It is now privately owned and remains in good condition.
PENSHURST HOTEL Built for William Murphy in 1861, the hotel was severely damaged by fire in 1895. On 4th March 1895 the ‘Hamilton Spectator’ reported that the large dining room, the billiard room, kitchen and all the out buildings were rescued from the flames. On June 5th of the same year the ‘Western Agriculturist’ reported that host Tilley was determined to erect a suitable and substantial building. A balcony, back staircase and bathroom would be important additions.
PENSHURST FREE PRESS was published as a regular weekly newspaper from 1898. It was printed from this building from the 1930s until it ceased publication on 9th January 1980. Printing was suspended during the war years, from 1941 to 1945. The paper was distributed to Caramut, Dunkeld, Gazette, Glenthompson, Minhamite, Penshurst and Tabor districts and at the time it ceased publication sold for 15 cents a copy.
NATIONAL BANK The bank first opened in a portion of the premises of Crammond & Dickson on the corner of Bell and Martin Streets on 1st September 1872.This building, with attached residence, was built in 1875. Some alterations were carried out in 1955 with major structural alterations taking place in 1964. The stables which had been built in 1882 were demolished, for safety reasons, in 1972. The bank closed on February 27th 1998. The building is now privately owned.
WESLEYAN CHURCH On February 1st 1859 Reverend William Cox Curry purchased the land for this church. The foundation stone was laid on the 21st of December the same year. On the 16th of December 1860 the church was opened by the Reverend E.B.Burns. The total cost, including the land, was ₤399/7/- Worship continued here until the merging of denominations in 1977. The building is now a private residence.
WAR MEMORIAL Built by Chambers & Cluttern of Melbourne
in 1919, through the generosity of Mr R.B.Ritchie of ‘Blackwood’, to
commemorate those from the shire who lost their lives during World War 1.
Seventy three names are listed. The 16 who were lost during the Second World War have been added to the Memorial.
STATE SCHOOL No.486 Erected by the parents, the school first opened as a National School on 20th December 1858, on the South side of Bell Street. There were 34 children in attendance. This later building, originally of two bluestone rooms, was built on the corner of French and Watton Streets. It was condemned as a school in 1962. A new school opened in 1963 beside the main Penshurst to Warrnambool Road.
TEMPERANCE HALL The land on which this building stands was purchased from the Crown on August 4th 1871 and the Temperance Hall was built on it in 1872. It was constructed from an unusual combination of bluestone with cornerstones of sandstone or quartzite. In 1876 it was used as a temporary hospital fever ward (scarlet fever). The hall was used by the Masonic Lodge from 1914 to 1987. The building is now privately owned
UNITING CHURCH Built of bluestone quarried in Burchett Street this was originally the Presbyterian Church. It was opened on 30th April 1865 and provided seating for 200 worshippers. The building was re-roofed in the 1950s. In 1959-60 new seating was provided by John Clarke in memory of his wife Beatrice (nee Eales), who served the church for many years as a teacher, organist and choir leader.
ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH The church was built in 1867 of bluestone with a slate roof. The Reverend Julian Wood preached the foundation sermon. In 1897 the transepts, the sacristy and a new sanctuary were added. In 1925 a Presbytery was built next to the church.
SHIRE OFFICES By notice in the Government Gazette of January 26th 1864 the Shire of Mount Rouse was proclaimed by his Excellency Sir Charles Henry Darling, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Victoria. The first meeting of the shire was held on February 3rd of that year. February 11th 1864 saw a special meeting for the laying of the foundation stone for the shire building. Major additions to the hall took place in 1877. Following the amalgamation of shires in 1994 the building no longer served its previous function and is now utilised by the Volcano Discovery Centre.
MADIGAN’S STORE Built in the 1860s for Crammond & Dickson the store had other proprietors including H.J.Olle, but the longest ownership was that of the Madigan Family. Timothy Madigan took over the business in 1904 and except for a short period in the mid-1920s the family ran the business continuously until it closed at the end of 1974.
VICTORIA HOTEL Built in 1863 this bluestone hotel contained 11 rooms, a billiard room, blacksmiths, butchery and sale yards. In April 1915 the hotel was granted approval to manufacture aerated water. Since ceasing to trade as a hotel the building has housed a number of businesses. After major renovations in recent years a Wine Bar now occupies the building.
POST OFFICE was built in 1878 in the same style as the adjoining court house. It continues to serve the community not only as a Post Office but also as an agency for the Commonwealth Bank and the Southern Grampians Shire. It also carries a range of souvenirs and gifts.
COURTHOUSE In 1864 the newly installed Mount Rouse Shire lobbied for a Courthouse to hold sittings of Petty Sessions. The Courthouse was finally opened in 1877 and was in use until the final case was heard in 1975. The original furniture has been retained. In 2007 the building was formally handed over, from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, to three trustees, all members of the local Historical Society. The trustees have given the building into the care of the Historical Society so that it can provide a service to the community both as a meeting room and historical research centre.