The Woolworths in this picture was built around 1961 as Rockmans, at some point in the 1970s it became a Woolworths variety store and supermarket, with the supermarket facing Windsor Avenue. Woolworths had previously bought the Rockmans chain in 1960.
After the 1985 acquisition of Safeway by Woolworths, it was rebranded, resulting in Springvale having two Safeways for some time. The store further down the road, having been built in the 1970s, was renovated in the 1990s, resulting in this store being closed. The building was renovated to become the Springvale Central arcade we know today.
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Some Springvale History:
The name Springvale arose from a permanent water source for stock and travelers between Melbourne and Dandenong that was in the vicinity of the intersection of Dandenong and Centre/Police Roads.
It was near the springs in the 1850's that the Spring Vale hotel was built alongside the newly surveyed route between Oakleigh and Dandenong. From this hotel came the name of Springvale as we use it now.
The first Springvale Post Office opened on 12 September 1864 and closed in 1892. This office had been superseded by Springvale Railway Station office (opened 1887) which was renamed Springvale in 1902. A Springvale North Post Office was also open between 1946 and 1978.
In 1886, land was subdivided near the railway station, and the area began to grow. By the 1920's the Spring Vale community had a lodge, brass band, a recreation reserve, a mechanics' institute, a few shops and some houses in the township.
A picture theatre opened in 1924. At the outbreak of the second world war Springvale was a pastoral, residential and industrial township with market gardens in the surrounding areas. Sand extraction industries were active, lasting until the 1990's.
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