Introduction & How-To Hints
Catch the Route 19 Tram (Flinders Street - North Coburg line) along Royal Parade, alighting at stop number 11, UniversityWelcome! Here are a few how-to hints to help you use this tour.MapThe map provides you with a bird's eye view of the tour, including the location of the next Stop.Press the Map icon to display the map, and navigate around the map by swiping and pinching. Each Stop has a designated number.If your device has GPS signal you can locate yourself via the GPS symbol on the map.ImagesEach Stop is accompanied by photographs and images which will help to familiarise you with key features at each location. Swipe the images to see more.ListPress the List icon to display a full list of Stops for this tour.WALKING SAFELYPlease prepare for this tour by wearing appropriate clothing for variable weather conditions, as well as comfortable walking shoes.Take care when crossing roads, and keep an eye out for cyclists.Public toilets are available in Ievers Reserve adjacent Flemington Road, and at the playground at the south end of Gatehouse Street.
Stop 1
University High SchoolFrom Tram Stop 11 (Royal Parade, Royal Melbourne Hospital/University of Melbourne) look through the former east gates of the school.The City Horse Market operated on this site from 1873 until 1917. The imposing arched entrance surmounted by a cement moulded horse’s head was demolished in 1952. See the photograph showing U.S. soldiers stationed here during World War II. The cobbled way under this arch is still in evidence and the head was saved (as will be seen later in this walk…).It's hard to imagine livestock markets selling horses and pigs on this site 100 years ago. Further south, where the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre building now stands, was a historic hay market - the namesake of the Haymarket Roundabout at the intersection of Elizabeth Street, Royal Parade and Flemington Road.Walk north (away from the city) and turn left when you come to Story Street, which was not offered for sale until 1879, six years after the rest of South Parkville.
Stop 2
28-38 Story StreetFrom Royal Parade walk down Story StreetOriginally called Market Street, in 1879 Story Street was finally named after the Lord Mayor of the time, Joseph Story. The street slopes west to the former Gully Creek, defining the market site which gave historical South Parkville its southern perimeter.Walking down Story Street you pass University High School, founded in 1910 and established on this site in 1930. It was used by the U.S. Army during World War II.The central median and street planting are a later development in this suburb which was very urban until the 1970’s. On the northern side of the street, the houses reflect the proximity of the markets, for example nos. 28 – 38 were built in 1898 and 1899 by the family who had the concession for the Hay Market.
Stop 3
40 and 44 Story StreetNo. 40 Story Street is another example of the relationship between the residents and the markets here. It was built in 1889 for Mrs Bobardt; her husband’s family was connected to the Metropolitan Meat Market in North Melbourne (PHOTOS x2).At no. 44, the beautifully incised plaster work is reflected in the decoration throughout the house. The house was designed by the architect Sidney Wilson.
Stop 4
52 Story StreetThe house at no. 52 was built in 1889 and has had its façade replaced very early to bring it into line with Edwardian taste in the early 20th Century. Observe the change in brickwork where the newer section was added.Next door at no. 54 is an interesting example of Art Nouveau with its somewhat heavy pediment (the part of the façade at roof level).
Stop 5
Story Street WallAcross the road you’ll see the remains of the Northern Market Wall. The Northern Market operated at various times between 1855 and 1939.A vast retaining wall was built here in 1888 by Robert Taylor, and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for serving as a strong visual reminder of the livestock and hay markets which for decades dominated this junction of two major approaches to the central city of Melbourne (Sydney Road/Royal Parade and Flemington Road). In 1909 the cattle market area was used for the Melbourne University Veterinary School in an arrangement between the State and the City Council, and now encloses the University’s Bio21 Institute, a biotechnology research facility (http://www.bio21.unimelb.edu.au/about).The wall consists of panels each measuring approximately three metres wide, constructed of red bricks with cream and Hawthorn black dressings at the two cornice levels. Its height and elaborate design would appear to have been intended to avoid local resident’s concern at the close proximity of the market!
Stop 6
Corner Story Street and Park DriveOn the corner of Story Street and Park Drive hangs the rescued horse’s head, from Royal Parade, which serves as a reminder of the Horse market which once occupied this block. The head was originally located at Stop 1 on Royal Parade, but was relocated to this position after the former frontage was demolished. A plaque records the involvement of the Parkville Association in this act of restoration.
Stop 7
17 Park DriveFrom the corner of the Story Street Wall, cross Park Drive towards the laneway named Park GroveOne of the Edwardian houses at either no. 15 or no. 17 Park Drive was occupied in 1916 by William James, composer of famous Australian Christmas Carols such as ‘The Three Drovers’, lecturer at the University Conservatorium, and later controller of ABC music programmes.Turning into Park Grove, it is interesting to note the Edwardian villa built for George Andrews in 1903 hidden inside the block of flats at no. 19, which Mrs Daisy May Naisbitt wrapped around her house in 1937.
Stop 8
Park GroveWander down the laneway known as Park Grove to the local park named Ievers ReserveOn the northern side of Park Grove, note the shutter covering an outlet for the sale of hay from the back shed of no. 23 Park Drive. The back lanes of Parkville still show evidence of past use, and heritage regulations now require that these are not destroyed.Park Grove once continued across what was known as Gully Creek, which was enclosed by a man-made drain in the 1920s and planted to create Ievers Reserve, named after the local councillor.This area when it was open was used as a route by the local carriers for the transport of human remains from Melbourne’s early cemetery at Queen Victoria Market and Flagstaff Gardens to be re-interred at Fawkner Park (opened in 1906). Early residents reported finding human bones that had fallen from the carts in the rough terrain.
Stop 9
34 Gatehouse StreetOn the other side of the reserve, at the rear of no 34 Gatehouse Street is a large stable. This was Sidney Nolan’s studio during the 1940s, and it is where he painted with Albert Tucker and Joy Hester while their son, Sweeney, played in the reserve.During this time, while in hiding from army enlistment, Nolan commenced his famous Ned Kelly series of paintings.
Stop 10
75 Park DriveWalk back towards Royal Parade along Story Street, but turn left at Park Drive and continue northwards (uphill).Possibly the oldest house in Parkville, built mysteriously in 1876 before the subdivision was in place. The original owner is listed as Mr Robert Davies.
Stop 11
81 Park DriveThe house here is called Mentone. This building was designed by architect RR Carol and built by R Cowderoy for Michael Morgan in 1885. Although painting of the original dark brick facade has substantially altered the appearance of this terrace house, it is still imposing for its width, decorative cast iron, and double brick borders to the arched window and door openings.The semi-basement appearance is due to the fall of ground towards what used to be a creek, now covered in Ievers Reserve. The cast iron balustrade is of a particularly fine and delicate pattern, and is complemented by the frieze iron to the ground and first floor balcony which is supported on brackets. The iron fence and gates are a recent and appropriate replacement.The other notable features are the large triangular dentillated nameplate with flanking scrolls, the three elaborate unpainted chimneys, the timber doorway with etched side and transom lights, and the encaustic tiles of the verandah.The house is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Stop 12
34 Park DriveCross to no. 34 Park Drive, now called Tasma, which featured in an ABC serialization of Hilde Knorr’s book Group with Lady. The house has a chequered history, it was built in 1887 by Robert Taylor who faced it into the garden on the southern side. A block of modern flats now occupies his former orchard. In 1910, with a change of ownership, the house was substantially altered to face the street. Not the angle of the facade compared to the northern side wall along the laneway.
Stop 13
33 Park DriveThe walk turns right into Morrah Street at Miss Weston’s corner block of flats named Weston Court. This 1930s apartment block is a unique example of Spanish Mission architecture, with pale pink stucco and delicately fanned arched windows.
Stop 14
61-63 Morrah StreetOn the next corner stands a brick villa on a substantial frontage. Built in 1882 and later restored to its original façade with a discrete rear upstairs addition.Turning into Benjamin Street, its late development is reflected in the uniformity of its facades. The eastern side was built by Donald Ross in 1881, several for a Mr William Henry Parr.
Stop 15
21 and 23 Benjamin StreetThe western side of Benjamin Street, which is more diverse than the east, is of particular interest when one draws comparison to no. 21 & 23, which are not in line with the rest of the street and were built a little later. Note the majority single-story houses in this street.
Stop 16
13 Benjamin StreetThe lane beside no. 13 still has a number of stone quoins intended to keep the wheels of carts from rubbing against the houses and fences. Take a moment to imagine the hay carts bringing straw for neighbourhood horses, or collecting night soil down these lanes in years gone by.
Stop 17
11 Fitzgibbon StreetCross Benjamin Street and continue east along the laneway to Fitzgibbon StreetThis street was named after Irishman Edmund Fitzgibbon, the first town clerk of Melbourne from 1856 to 1891, who was a champion for the preservation of parks. Appointed Town Clerk in 1856, Fitzgibbon helped to obtain crown land for public markets, and fiercely opposed attempts to alienate parkland. He prevented the Melbourne Gas Co. from selling its grant of crown land at West Melbourne, and survived an attempt by leading gas shareholders to unseat him as Town Clerk. In 1891 Fitzgibbon became full-time Chairman of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works until his death in 1905.No. 11 is a very substantial house with elegant double consoles and matching plaster marks. Opposite, the splendid iron decoration at no. 14 (built 1889) is the only two-storey house with double verandah posts in the district.
Stop 18
17 Fitzgibbon StreetWalking on to no. 17, built in 1885 by Charles Coulson as one of a row of houses, you are looking at the altered façade designed for footballer Doug Wade. The house has since changed hands. It was charmingly called Airey Villa by the young men who boarded here in the late 1880s: a clerk at the Meat Market, a businessman in the city, and a medical student. Rather crowded when you include the Airey family who owned the house!
Stop 19
23 Fitzgibbon StreetAt no. 23, strangely, a lion rests on top of Mrs Jelf’s shop, now a residence. The shop front was added to this northern-most house in 1903, originally a pair with no. 21. Both were owned by Cornelius Marley, whose granddaughter lived opposite in no. 26 which was built in 1884 by the publican of Naughton’s Hotel, Henry Molseed. At only 13 feet wide, along with no. 28 this forms the smallest pair of house blocks in Parkville.
Stop 20
Corner Morrah Street and Fitzgibbon StreetOn the Morrah Street corner is a pair of imposing houses no. 27 and no. 29, built in 1890. Their iron is thought to represent the elements of sun, water and earth (PHOTO), and appears to be a rather late design. Glancing down Morrah Street you can see two blocks of flats which replaced the wooden Pound Keeper’s cottage in the 1940s. The pound at one time took up this whole block down to Story Street and was necessary when people depastured their animals on Royal Park.
Stop 21
33 Royal ParadeWalk back to Royal Parade and turn right at no. 35 where you arrive at a famous shop 33 Royal Parade. Herbert Fenton, dairyman, had it built by the famous architect Norman Hitchcock in 1888. In the 1920s it became Miss Grey’s cake shop: plain cakes in the morning, fancy in the afternoon, and the student lodgings upstairs for 10 shillings per week. One of the students was (Sir) Albert Coates, distinguished surgeon born in Ballarat, student and lecturer at Melbourne University, and prisoner-of-war surgeon on the Japanese Burma-Thailand Railway (along with Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop).The iron here is of interest for although the verandah has City of Melbourne arms, the balcony panels and frieze are fern-patterned.
Stop 22
21 Royal ParadeThe engineer David Munro (constructed Queens Bridge and Princes Bridge across the Yarra River) had two houses built for him in 1888 at no. 21 and no. 23. Although they are in high Italianate style, he used them as rental properties. These are now occupied by the University of Melbourne.
Stop 23
1 & 3 Royal ParadeContinue south to the corner of Story Street, where the pair of 1882 terraces at no. 1 and 3 proudly face Royal Parade, indicating the status of this parade street.
The End
Congratulations! You have completed this tour of Walk 3. Across the Parade is the Grainger Museum (open Sun-Fri, midday-4pm, free general admission), or return north to Naughton’s Hotel.For more information on the heritage of our wonderful suburb, see our website: http://www.parkvilleassociation.org.au/
