Homebush residents and railway commuters will recognise this image of The Crescent opposite Homebush Station, largely unchanged from early days. Using Sands’ Directories and Trove it is possible to establish a rough date for this lovely photo recently discovered in the collection of the State Library of NSW.
On the far left is the former Homebush Post Office, built in 1895. You can read more about its history at: https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/Council/Local-Studies-Blog/Homebush-Postman-Mordey-Banjo-Pattinson
The brick shops were built c.1912. Signs advertise several businesses along the shopping strip, although some are difficult to read. Next to the post office is the Government Savings Bank. Next to that is Palmer & McCreath (sometimes spelled McCreagh), drapers who were in business here between about 1915 and 1922. In June 1920 this business was robbed and the long list of clothing items stolen was reported in the New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime.
The next white sign, which is very difficult to read, is for estate agent, Richard Facer who was in business here between 1915 and 1919. He had previously been in partnership with Sidney Charles Larkin in Rochester Street.[1] Larkin retired in September 1914 and Facer appears to have moved his business to The Crescent soon afterwards. He advertised widely, often in Freeman’s Journal. In June 1915 he advertised a new brick cottage for sale.[2]
Freeman's Journal 13 July 1916 p.5 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115589310
Freeman's Journal 15 March 1917 p.29 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116799929
The next sign is for Cars for Hire from L.C. Hughes, although that business appears to have been located in Melrose Street Homebush. As motor transport grew in popularity around this time, the affluent Strathfield locals embraced the trend enthusiastically. A sign in the window also advertises insurance. The ornate upstairs awning of this property no longer remains.
Seth Campbell, grocer & provision merchant, was in business in The Crescent between 1912 and 1921 before relocating to Parramatta Road and then Rochester Street. Campbell also held a wine license[3] and advertised his premises as a ‘depot for prize Castellina wines.’ In 1917 Seth married Miss Bertha Morris of Kogarah.[4] Sadly the couple lost their baby son during July 1925.[5]
On the far right is the pharmacy of Albert S. Ball. He had previously been employed by Messrs Pattinson and Co.’s Redfern branch. In 1894 he had pled guilty to a charge of accidentally selling certain poisons without the appropriate license, his qualifications having been gained in England.[6] In 1903, Secretary Albert S. Ball witnessed Lewy Miall Pattinson’s signature when the company Washington H. Soul and Pattinson Co. was formed.[7] Washington Handley Soul lived at Agincourt, Albert Road, Strathfield.[8] By 1915 Albert S. Ball was in business as a pharmacist in The Crescent where he remained until about 1920 when he seems to have moved to Bellevue Hill. However he returned to Homebush where he was later in business with Charles Joseph Scarfe under the name of Ball & Scarfe at 71 Parramatta Road. This business was dissolved in 1932.[9] Albert Samuel Ball died in Burwood in 1946.[10]
The photo shows a dental surgery above the pharmacy. This was J.M. Meldrum’s dental premises. He was in business here for only about three years between 1916 and 1919. Sands’ Street Index for 1920 lists the new dental surgeons as H. Muir and V.B. Kennard.
The common years for all these businesses were 1916 to 1919 so the photo must have been taken during the World War I era. Today’s businesses are quite different, consisting mostly of multicultural restaurants, but still serve the needs of the residents of Homebush and beyond.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Sydney Morning Herald 5 September 1914 p.9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15534286
[2] Sydney Morning Herald 19 June 1915 p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15601431
[3] Sydney Morning Herald 25 March 1914 p.10 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15467002
[4] The Sun 15 July 1917 p.14 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221409803
[5] Sydney Morning Herald 11 July 1925 p.11 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16221998
[6] The Australian Star 24 October 1894 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/227495599
[7] Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales 24 April 1903 p.3101 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220936076
[8] Jones, Cathy 'Agincourt' https://strathfieldheritage.com/streetnames/albert-road-strathfield/agincourt-albert-rd-strathfield/
[9] Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales 26 August 1932 p.3043 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220264181
[10] Sydney Morning Herald 29 June 1946 p.31 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29766589