In 1889, F.W. Niven & Co. crafted a captivating depiction of Shepparton, skilfully illustrating prominent businesses within the scene.
Operating from an artistic printing and lithography studio in Ballarat, they were renowned for creating similarly impressive posters showcasing various towns and cities across both Australia and New Zealand.
The header of this particular poster bears the inscription: “Supplement to the Shepparton News.”
‘General View of Shepparton’ features
1. Prince of Wales Inn, Welsford St, built by Johnson Parsons in 1853 and was Shepparton’s first hotel.
2. The bridge over the Goulburn River at Fryers St was built in 1878 by James Henry Dainton, who was also the engineer. He worked for Moller and Moller, which won the tender.
3. Shepparton Hotel, built in Welsford St, but facing Wyndham St. Sometime in early 1900, the hotel keeper decided to expand his business up to the Wyndham St frontage.
4. Shepparton post office and court house (public offices) was opened in 1883.
5. Rowe’s General Store and Drapery.
6. The recently-built water tower which was located at the Shepparton Urban Waterworks Trust in Fryers St.
7. The Shepparton News office.
8. In 1889, this high-profile block was vacant but in 1914 it was the site of the Lyric open air theatre for about 20 years. Then, in 1927, the Union Bank was built on this site.
Shepparton businesses
1. James Fairley’s first store in Shepparton which was located on the corner of High and Hoskin Sts. Advertised as opposite the railway station.
2. Thomas Geddes’ store was located on the corner of Fryers and Maude Sts. In 1899, James Fairley bought Geddes’ store and renamed it James Fairley.
3. Messrs. Swallow and Co. built a new mill in 1876 on the corner of Welsford and Fryers Sts. The site of the mill is on the first block of land ever sold in Shepparton. In 1884, this mill was purchased by Mr. W. F. Ford who had it for 20 years.
4. In Wyndham St, on a wall near the Gozleme Palace, is a plaque that reads: “Here is the site of the first building of any kind in this street. It was a blacksmith shop and used on Sundays for services by the United Methodist Free Church. Built in 1873 by John Furphy.”
5. The Shepparton News was built by Thomas Hallam at 49 High St in late 1877. In 1893, a fire destroyed the building.
6. The Terminus Hotel was first built in 1878 and called Coghlan’s Hotel named after the licensee. In the mid 1880s, the hotel changed its name to Coghlan’s Terminus Hotel (terminus of the railway line).