Packing Shed

Statement of Significance

The packing shed on Greys Hill Road is significant as a vernacular stone building, important as a now rare local example of a stone packing shed, and for its contribution to the commercial fruit industry of the district and as a workplace.
Aesthetic Value
A well preserved vernacular stone packing shed, creating a significant landmark on Greys Hill Road, overlooking the Blackwood River.
Historical Value
A visual reminder of the successful fruit industry in Bridgetown from the 1880’s til the 1970’s. Moderate to high research value.
Research Value
Moderate to high research value for its construction techniques and use in the fruit industry.
Social Value
Socially significant as a seasonal place of employment in the early years of Bridgetown.

Physical Description

Small stone building with brick quoins. Corrugated iron roof. Exposed timber lintels above windows and doors.
Doors (including an industrial wooden sliding door), windows and fixtures seem to be in original condition. There is also evidence of a random stone retaining wall/loading dock along the main frontage.
Originally an open interior, now a central timber frame wall creates two spaces, with a (partial) timber ceiling added.

History

Remnant of the early fruit industry of the district. Presumably the packing shed was built of stone as it was readily available and more importantly for its thermal qualities in helping to keep the building cool in the warmer months.
The following information from the Register of Heritage Places Assessment Documentation for the Paterson & Co Fruit Packing Shed Complex provides some historical context for small packing sheds such as this:
From 1898 a “daily rail service provided reliable and rapid transport to market, which was necessary for the development of the fruit and dairy industries in the district …… The acreage planted to apples [rose] steadily ….. and the importance of the Bridgetown area to apple production was reflected in the rail cartage figures from the town, which increased from 9,702 cases in 1903 to 26,568 cases in 1907. ….. Each orchardist initially packed his own fruit, and occasionally several neighbouring orchardists packed together to cut costs. ….. In 1914, a central packing shed was established at Bridgetown by the Bridgetown Fruitgrowers Association” but private packing sheds appear to have continued to have been used through to the 1930s at least.
It would appear that the Arts and Crafts/Tudor style detailing on the roof gables has been created since the last recorded photo in 2001, in which the eastern gable was shown to have been in desperate need of repair. Unsure as to the original design and therefore the authenticity of the gables.The local orchard industry suffered a heavy blow in 1993 as codling moth infestations caused a massive Government encouraged “Tree Pull".

Integrity/Authenticity

Low to Medium
The packing shed is no longer used in relation to the fruit orchard industry, therefore the integrity is low, however it remains as a domestic outbuilding.
Medium to High
The exterior of the shed remains largely as originally built.

Condition

Good to Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.