Aerial of Doveton, circa 1950s/1960s.

The area has it's origins as part of the Eumemmerring pastoral run. The part pictured became the Grassmere estate, which was subdivided into smaller holdings in the 1880s. The small farming community was served by a hotel and school. There was also a racecourse.

Doveton as a town came into existence in the mid 1950s when the State Housing Commission purchased a large area of land to provide low cost housing for returned soldiers and workers employed in the new factories near Dandenong. The early Commission housing was around the Autumn Place shopping centre. A lace factory had commenced operations on the Princes Highway in 1950. On the southern side of the highway, first International Harvester, then General Motors-Holden and then Heinz established large factories. These were followed by many smaller factories.

Doveton was named after F.C. Doveton, a Goldfields Commissioner and Police Magistrate, who had earlier lived in the area. By 1962, there were 1500 homes. At first, there were few community facilities, and there was a pressing need for schools. By 1969 there were seven schools:

The Doveton North technical school became part of Endeavour Hills when the Mulgrave Freeway divided it from Doveton in 1972, and the area south-east of Eumemmerring Creek (with its own school opened in 1977) became the suburb of Eumemmerring in 1981. Most of the schools had high enrollments within a few years of opening (Doveton West had over 1050 pupils in five years). In 2011 the State schools had been reduced to one, centred on the site where Doveton primary opened in 1956.

Image courtesy of: Victorian Places

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Arakana Building, 163 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.

Most people remember it as Arkana, But do you know it was not a single building, but four or fives smaller shops, renovated and joined by a new facade? There is more history to the building than Arkana.

The Cosy Corner building at 163 Lonsdale Street may have been built in 1912 for John McLeod. It was described in 1911-12 rate books as a wood yard, dwelling and store. By 1912-13 it was leased by Smith, a storekeeper and in the next year Turner, a fruiterer. The adjoining shops along Foster Street were built between 1919 and 1921, after Russell acquired the land, and are hown on the 1935 plan. It is possible that Russell may have refurbished the corner shop in this development. Walter McConchie was an early owner-occupier of the corner shop after initial occupation by Russell. Thomas Blain was another long term occupier of 126-128 Foster St.

The adjoining shops at 157-159 Lonsdale Street were built between the mid-1930s and the mid-1950s: they are not shown on the 1935 Detail Plan. By the 1950s, near half of the row (159-163 Lonsdale, 134 Foster) was owned by Russell’s estate and another major part (130-132 Foster) was owned by Eleonora Crosby.

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Butter Factory, Stud Rd, Dandenong - 1920

From 1920, the Dandenong Butter Factory was operating in Stud Road, ‘one of the more picturesque industrial buildings'. Tragically the old butter factory was demolished in 1972. Extensions were made to the factory in the early 1930's, lending to increased demand.

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Stables, Dandenong Police Station - Built 1888/9

The original police building no longer exists on this site. In 1857 a fence was erected around the three acres of land (on the corner of Langhorne and Wilson Streets) the site of the first police camp and current site of the police complex.

The first building, built in 1859 comprised of officers’ quarters, a watch house and a lean-to, which was used as a stable. The original stables were built around three acres of land as part of the original police complex. The stables were repaired in the late 1870s but it wasn’t until the late 1880s that the stables building in question was built.

Works to the “Police Buildings at Dandenong Township” were tendered out on the 1 August 1859. The works were due to be
completed on the 25 December 1859. An extension of eight weeks was granted.

In 1888/89 a contract, was let to Mathews a O’Halloran for the construction of new Police Quarters and Stables. This would indicate that the current stables (pictured) were constructed around this time.

Information and photo courtesy of Greater Dandenong Heritage Study

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Part of a larger aerial view of Dandenong in the 1950's

Part of a larger aerial view of Dandenong in the 1950's, What can you see in this section?

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Dandenong Bowl-o-Matic (Ten Pin Bowling) approx 1965, 151 Thomas St, Dandenong

This was prior to it being split in half between Bowl-o-Matic and Gala Cinema (Gala operated between 1969 and 1977) and eventually back again. Part of the Cinema was converted after closure to a video arcade called Factory of Fun.

The ten pin bowling facilities later moved into premises on Princes Hwy, The premises were eventually occupied by The Grand International, until the building along with others was demolished in the mid 2000's,

Presently Halpin Way runs across the right side this site from Thomas street to the station area, All buildings on the right to Walker street were demolished for the new Government services building, the shop on the left still remains.

Photo supplied by  Brad Farrell

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Lonsdale Street looking towards Town Hall, Early 1920's

Lonsdale Street looking towards Town Hall, Early 1920's

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Dandenong Park in the 1950's

Dandenong Park in the 1950's, Pultney Street runs up the left side with a small portion of Foster Street and the old Garage in the bottom. Established over 100 years ago, it is one of the most significant parklands in the municipality, having strong historical and cultural links with Dandenong.

The park has a large range of well established exotic tree species throughout the reserve, including a significant oak in front of the Lawn Bowls Club, which was planted in the 1880s. There is also some mature River Red Gums, which are indigenous and a part of the original landscape.

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Walker street as it intersects with McCrae and Clow streets.

Badly titled as Dandenong East, undated, looking up Walker street as it intersects with McCrae and Clow streets.

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Dandenong Train Station, late 1800's.

This wonderfully preserved and clear photo shows horses, having just arrived via train, being herded into pens to await claim. You can see an old station building in the background.

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Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, Between 1922 and 1929

Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, Between 1922 and 1929
Found: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/252981

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