Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, in the 1970s.

Looking towards the intersection of Lonsdale and Walker Street, Dandenong, in the 1970s.

Photo credit to Annette Hall.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Dandenong Memorial Hall, 10 Langhorne Street, 1930s.

Chris Simmins notes:

Dandenong Memorial Hall ...constructed 1921. Aerial and facade shots are defiantly same building same site. The Soldiers Memorial Hall is defiantly 10 Langhorn St. The initial fund raising for the design and construction of the RAS Hall commenced soon after end of WW1. Plans of building of wooden construction with masonry facade and curved gate entrance. Rooms to comprise meeting, kitchen, billiard etc. 

A trust deed was drawn up Jan 1945 provided that Hall would go to Dandenong Council. Hall underwent renovations early 1950's when it became shabby and the facade degraded and 'fell off'. Post WW2 the hall was used for voting, auctions, inoculations, boxing competitions. Was also used as meeting rooms for many local clubs and associations etc. It has undergone various tartups, makeovers and compliance rebuilds. Notes from Chris Simmins 1969 DTS history project.

O.D. Notes:

Below are two aerial views from 1961, showing the Memorial Hall, in relation to the Town Hall.

The red line is Walker Street.

The green line is Langhorne Street.

Pamela Czarnecki notes:

This is certainly opposite where maggs was, approximately 1954,5, we had school lessons there. I went to Dandenong east started in 1950 and the baby boomers came in just after from 1946, and classes were just too full. Most of years had over 40 pupils in each room. We then went to the n Methodists church hall opposite drs then got bused to harrisfield. But that was definitely the memorial hall in the first picture. Mc Ewans wasn't there then as I remember it was vacant land.

Judith Robertson notes:

When I was in grade 4 with Mr Jungworth as my teacher, I attended school in this building. It is definitely in Langhorne St. where the Elderly Citizens Club is now.

At the time I attended Dandenong North Primary School.

I hope this information helps!!

Judith ( nee Orr)

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Dandenong Train Collision, 29th May, 1928.

The Guard Van at the rear of the stationary train, as can be seen, ended up resting almost vertically on the engine of the moving train. This caused delays for a number of days after.

A news report from the time follows:

 

WRECKAGE AT DANDENONG.

MELBOURNE, June 1— Serious incon-

venience was caused to traffic on the Dan-

denong line to-day as the result of the

collision between two heavy goods trains

in the Dandenong railway yards late last

night. Gangs of men were at work all

day repairing the permanent way and the

overhead electric gear. Two of those

injured in the collision—R. Sheppard, a

guard, and J. Lane, a fireman—were taken

to hospital suffering from severe shock

and minor injuries. Frederick Baker, an

engine driver, was treated and allowed to

leave.

Trucks were telescoped by the force

of the collision, and the body of the

van of the stationary train was torn from

the frame and suspended on top of the

engine of the rear train. A heavy 10-

ton coal truck in front of the van was

crushed almost flat and twisted into a

mass of steel and ironwork. The engine

of the moving train was damaged slight-

ly, the cow-catcher being bent back to

the bogey wheels and a headlight being

smashed.

The cause of the accident has not yet

been stated. It is said that the signals

and interlocking system were against the

second train.

The West Australian, Sat 2 Jun 1928 , Page 19.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Buildings at the Dandenong Stock Market/Sale Yards, 1990s

Photo credit to Dandenong Historical Society.

Photo credit to Dandenong Historical Society.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Cheltenham Road, Dandenong, 1992.

Taken from near the end of Carrol Lane, looking easterly, towards Hammond Road. The former Caltex site, on the corner of Hammond and Cheltenham, is now home to a car rental dealership.

Photo credit to City of Berwick.

Originally named Grace Street, the section of Cheltenham Road, between about where George/Allan Street intersection is now, and Foster Street, was officially renamed to Cheltenham Road in 1970.

This, along with the section west of George/Allan Street, which was known as Brighton Road at the time, meant renumbering of properties on Cheltenham Road, extending out to Chandler Road.

Cheltenham Road, official name change, July 1970.

This document supplied by Penny Harris Jennings.

Cheltenham Road is in the process of being extended through to Princes Hwy, with and underpass under the railway, and through the old Half Case Warehouse, IGA, and more recently Marmara Meats site.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Looking south on Hallam (South) Road, Hallam, in 1973.

Back when Hallam was still mostly a rural area. Looking south across the railway line toward Hampton Park. Pound Road is just on the other side of the hill. Later the road would be lowered as it crosses the peak of the hill, removing the final climb.

Photo credit to Les Brown.

The Hallam Railway Station is hidden out of view behind the tree on the right. Just out of the shot, on the right side, was the old Hallam Tip.

The below shot from the late 1970s or early 1980s is looking south on Hallam (South) Road, from close to the intersection of Hallam Road/Princes Highway, looking towards the railway line and the Hallam railway station.

Late 1970s or early 1980s, Hallam South Road, Hallam

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Corner of High Street and Sladen Street, Cranbourne, late 1930s

This site was diagonally opposite the current Police Station, on the north-west corner, opposite the old Shire Offices. Lawson Burdett Poole established his garage in 1919.

Photo credit to Cranbourne Shire Historical Society.

This was the first garage in Cranbourne, when it opened in 1919. Lawson is also credited with having the first car, a 1918 Buick, in Cranbourne. In 1932 he married Laura Mary Brunt, they had no children.

Lawson was a Life Governor of the Dandenong Hospital, where a ward was named after him, and also a Justice of the Peace. He was a longtime member of the Cranbourne Turf Club, and Chairman from 1959 to 1979.

This 1959 aerial view shows the garage on the corner of Sladen and Hight Street,

opposite the old Shire Offices. Also visible is the old Police Station and the racecourse

just within the top of the picture. 

Laura passed away in 1981, Lawson would continue for another 6 years before he died in 1987. The garage was demolished around 1983, possibly. You can find the family grave in the Cranbourne Cemetery.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, c. 1940s.

Tony Cosentino notes:

Lonsdale Street Dandenong., c. 1940s. Photographer: Valentine Publishing. The Palm Trees were removed in 1954.

Photo credit to Valentine Publishing

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills, 1961.

Looking from just after Power Road, east towards Endeavour Hills shopping centre. The line of trees, out the left side, lead to the old Chalcot Lodge estate. The development of the Chalcot Lodge estate started around 1974.

Photo credit to Bill Farell.

James Cook Drive would be built close to the bottom of the dip, where you can see the white posts on either side of the road. This was likely a small culvert under the road.

The Essex Park (built around 1940), and Four Oaks (built around 1885) estates, would be behind you, on the other side of Power Road. These too estates, would also see development, in the 1970s, helping to form what became Endeavour Hills.

Comparison photo to what the area looks

like in more recent times.

Mossgiel Park estate, formerly Danderago, was further to the east beyond this picture. The Mossgiel Park Housing Estate, off Heatherton Road, was planned in about 1974.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Greens Road, Dandenong South, 1992.

The old Greens Road railway crossing when it still had both the crossing for the South Gippsland/Cranbourne line, and the crossing for the A.C.I. Pilkington Glass Plant. The siding, just out of the right side of view, was the first to be removed, and later in the early 2020s, the crossing was completely removed, by elevating the railway line across the road.

Photo credit to Wailing Chang.

The up Leongatha train, intersects the crossing, enroute to Spencer Street (Southern Cross), via Dandenong, in the late Spring of 1992. Do you remember the old orange Vline lively?

Below is a train leaving the ACI Pilkington’s Glassworks Plant in 1994.

Photo credit to Wailing Chang.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Grassmere land sales, October 1888.

Brian Adam notes:

There was an opportunity to purchase land at Grassmere, with sales held in October 1888, offering various allotments ranging from 1 to 20 acres. The sale was conducted by Munro and Baillieu, Estate Agents.

Interestingly, a proposed railway line was planned to connect the Dandenong line to Ferntree Gully — sadly, it never came to fruition.

Grassmere land sales, October 1888.

I’ve always liked the name of the area — whether it’s Grassmere or Dandenong Heights.

The Shire of Berwick eventually held a meeting to address the naming issue surrounding Grassmere. It turned out there was already another locality in Victoria with the same name, a small rural settlement near Warrnambool. To avoid confusion, the decision was made to rename Grassmere to Doveton.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Dandenong Technical School, 1961, form 1 C & D.

.

Dandenong Technical School, 1961, form 1 C & D

The below list of names is not in the same order as the photo above, but these are the students that were in form 1 C and form 1 D in 1961.

Form 1C and form 1D students in 1961.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Carnarvon Estate, Dandenong, c. 1888.

The Carnarvon Estate was a sale of land in the late 1880s. Interestingly it makes reference to the Eumemmering horse race filed, long lost to time. The track was adjacent to the Eumemmering Hotel, which was located near the site that the Prince Mark Hotel now occupies, near the corner of Princes Highway and Power Road. 

Carnarvon Estate, Dandenong, c. 1888.

On early maps Power Road is often marked as crossing the Eumemmerring creek and joining Princes Highway where Lace Street is. This leaves open the question about which side of the creek the old Eumemmerring Hotel actually was on. Most researchers say the Prince Mark Hotel site.

The Argus, Wednesday 14 March 1888, Page 2.

Michael Hennessy, the long time publican of the Eumemmerring Hotel, along with Henry Wilson, were race starters on the Eumemmerring Races programs. The race course was running from as early as 1951. We do know that races were still being held in 1910, but by the 1950s it was no longer a racecourse.

So what was the original course of the Eumemmerring Creek near power road?

South Bourke and Mornington Journal, Wed 9 Mar 1881, Page 3

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Map of Dandenong & surrounds with major land holders 1885.

.

To view a larger image Click Here.

Please note: it's a large image so may take a while to load.

You can find the original on the PROV site at: 

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/A6FF7EED-F843-11E9-AE98-FF67E9139D03/about

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Old Dandenong Town, 1958.

This short video shows Lonsdale Street back in 1958, on Market Day. Tuesdays were always busy in Dandenong when everyone came into town for the Market. Can you recognize anyone in this video?

Film courtesy of Keith Wagstaff and Arthur Brown.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

A few old Hampton Park memories

.Ray Willis Writes:

A few old Hampton Park memories.

Cricket grand final day in March ‘76 at the Dandy south oval. Lyndhurst Hampton Park 1st X1 openers Graeme Himbeck (he was projectionist at the old Mayfair cinema in the early 60s, and Wonthaggi cinema late 60s, family lived on the highway in Harrisfield@ Himbeck court: brother to Ernie, Dorothy (Willis, my mum), Barry, Jean & Fay. Yes, we won with Rob Murray & Graham piling on a big score. 

The footy photo is Hampton Park premiers in ‘75 (2nds) with dad (Ron Willis/ President) in the white outfit. It’s the 70th anniversary of HP FOOTY club this year, and to top it off they won the 1sts flag in the bayside comp 2nd division. Go the mighty REDBACKS.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Eiffel Tower Motors, Corner Lonsdale and McCrae Street, Dandenong, early/mid 1960s.

This is an interesting shot looking down Lonsdale Street from the Clow Street intersection. There are a few names along the street that have been lost to the progress of time. Next to Eifel was the E.S.&A Bank, and next to this was the old Maples Store, with the sign partly showing in the left-center of the photo.

Photo supplied by Brad Farrell.

Michael Fielder notes:

Long before it was Eiffel Tower Motors, in the 50s, it was a Ford dealer ship called Brown & Andrews Motors. My Father-in-Law, Gordon Oakenfull worked there before he opened Oakenfulls Garage up on Stud Rd. In 1953.

Mick Cleary notes:

Eiffel tower motors had a purpose-built workshop, in princess Hwy dandy, east side of Carac speed shop, closer to Cranbourne rd, not sure of the date but mid to late sixties.

O.D. Note: 

Eifel moved in the md-late 60s, to the side mentioned above, after this Guests Furniture moved int eh corner building by 1967.

Guests Furniture in 1967.

O.D. Note:

By 1967, this corner site was occupied by Guests Furniture. Later it would be home to Dandy Sound, Douglas Hi-Fi, Dandy Discounts and Bendigo Bank. More recently it was home to O'Brien Real Estate and Buy Sell Rent Property Group.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/

Dandenong Hospital around 1942, Not long after it was completed.

.In 1939, as World War II broke out and Dandenong was beset by fires and other upheavals, a committee took a unanimous decision that was backed by local doctors. Their mandate was to buy five acres in Cleeland Street for a hospital.

The land, part of the Ross estate, cost £300 and many people said the site was ideal. And so the Dandenong and District Hospital was set up, a place to go if one needed healing.

Before the Dandenong and District Hospital was built, Alf Oldham and Ian Hart were two of the doctors who had run the Murray House Private Hospital at the corner of Scott and Thomas streets.

On the corner of Wilson and Langhorne streets, near St James Anglican Church another private hospital operated from Merlin House, which still stands today.

For more images like this visit us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/olddandenong/