Corowa Flour Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corowa Flour Mill |
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Chocolate factory operating from the old Corowa Flour Mill, 2013
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| Location | Steel Street, Corowa, Federation Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Official name: Corowa Flour Mill and site | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 566 |
| Type | Flour Mill |
| Category | Manufacturing and Processing |
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The Corowa Flour Mill is a really old building in Corowa, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a busy place where they made flour from grain. Now, it's a popular spot for tourists, especially because it's home to a chocolate and whisky factory! This special building is also listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of history that needs to be protected.
Contents
The Story of Corowa Flour Mill
Early Days in Corowa
The area around Corowa was first explored in 1838. Soon after, people started settling there, especially a man named John Foord. He was very important in developing the area. John Foord helped create the town of Wahgunyah on the Victorian side of the Murray River.
Later, in 1863, a special bridge was built over the river. This bridge was super important because it helped the town of Corowa grow on the New South Wales side. Farmers in the area grew a lot of wheat and oats, and Corowa became a key place for selling these crops.
Building the Flour Mill
Because so much grain was grown nearby, a company was started in 1887 to build a flour mill in Corowa. This first mill, called the Netherby Roller Flour Mills, sadly burned down in 1920. But don't worry, a new, bigger mill was built right away!
The new mill was a four-storey brick building. It had fourteen large machines that used steel rollers to grind grain into flour. It also had big storage bins that could hold a huge amount of grain. There was also a brick office and a building for the boiler. We don't know who designed the mill, but it looks a lot like another mill in Albury, so it might have been the same person.
How the Mill Worked
After the fire, the old boiler house was replaced. Instead of steam, the new mill used a powerful 180 horsepower gas engine. Even with this change, the mill still used a system of belts and shafts to move power to all the grinding machines. This system worked until the mill closed in 1970.
The Corowa Flour Mill was very successful. It didn't just sell flour in Australia; it also sent flour to countries like the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, and places in the Middle East and North Africa. In the 1950s, the mill was making three tons of flour every hour! To store all that grain, new concrete silos were built.
What Happened Next?
In 1970, the mill stopped making flour, and all the machinery was taken out. Later, in the late 1980s, a company from South America called Bunges bought the site. They owned another flour mill in Albury and thought about using the Corowa mill again for grain.
In 2001, the Corowa Council bought the mill. For several years, people thought about different ideas for the building, like turning it into a national flour museum. But nothing happened, and the building stayed empty.
Finally, in 2010, something exciting happened! The old flour mill became home to a new business: Corowa Whisky and Chocolate. So now, instead of grinding grain, the building is used to make delicious treats and drinks!
What the Mill Looks Like
The old mill buildings are located on a large piece of land. Steel Street runs along one side, and a railway line runs along another. The main mill building is made from local apricot-coloured bricks.
There are some newer buildings for storing grain, but they are far away from the old mill. Some parts were added later, like a building with a pointed roof (called a gable roof) that might have been a workshop. There's also a smaller brick office building with a sloped roof (called a hip roof) that was extended.
Changes Over Time
- 1940s or 1950s: Two new buildings were added to store more grain.
- 1970: The mill closed down, and the old machinery was removed.
- Late 1980s: A company called Bunges bought the site, hoping to use it for grain again.
- 2001: The local Council bought the mill as part of a plan for new water works.
- 2002: The Council thought about turning the mill into a national flour museum and bakery, but this idea didn't happen.
- 2009: People suggested turning it into a second-hand market, an arts centre, or even a chocolate factory!
- 2010: The Corowa Whisky and Chocolate factory opened in the building, giving it a new life!
Why the Mill is Special
The Corowa Flour Mill is a very important landmark in the area. It's a great example of an old industrial building, showing how things were made in the past. Even though it's not the only old mill still standing, it's considered very important for the history of New South Wales.
Because of its importance, the Corowa Flour Mill was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's protected and recognized as a valuable part of our history.
