Old Sugarmill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Sugarmill |
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Old Sugarmill viewed from across Cooks River
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| Location | Sugar House Road, Canterbury, City of Canterbury-Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1839–1841 |
| Architect | Woodhouse Danks |
| Official name: Old Sugarmill; Canterbury Sugar Works; Former Hutton Premises; Australian Sugar Company Mill; Canterbury Sugar House; ASC Sugar Mill Buildings; Australasian Sugar Company | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 290 |
| Type | Sugar Mill |
| Category | Manufacturing and Processing |
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The Old Sugarmill is a special building in Canterbury, New South Wales. It used to be a place where sugar was made, but now it has been turned into apartments. It was built a long time ago, between 1839 and 1841. The building was designed by Woodhouse Danks.
This old mill is also known by other names, like Canterbury Sugar Works or Australian Sugar Company Mill. It's important because it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's a protected historical site.
The Story of the Old Sugarmill
The Old Sugarmill has a long and interesting history. It tells us a lot about how industries started in New South Wales.
Early European Settlement in Canterbury
European explorers first came to the Cooks River area in 1788. They noticed the low, marshy land. They also saw Aboriginal people fishing in the river.
The first European settlement in Canterbury began in 1793. A man named Richard Johnson was given land there. Later, in 1800, he sold his farm to Lieutenant William Cox. Over time, more land was bought and sold. By 1803, Robert Campbell owned a large area of land. He was an important businessman in the early colony. He used the land to keep cattle.
Building the Sugar Mill
In the late 1830s, the colony of New South Wales was growing fast. A company called the Australian Sugar Company (ASC) was formed in London in 1839. They wanted to build a sugar factory in Australia.
They chose a spot on the Cooks River for the mill. This location was perfect because it had plenty of water. It was also close to Sydney. About 60 acres of land were bought for the factory.
Work on the main building started right away. Scottish stonemasons used sandstone from the area to build it. By September 1841, the mill was almost finished. However, the company faced some problems. This led to a new company being formed, called the Australasian Sugar Company.
How the Mill Made Sugar
Before this mill, sugar was brought into Sydney from other countries. The Old Sugarmill also processed sugar that came from places like the Philippines. At that time, growing sugar cane in New South Wales was not common. It wasn't until the 1860s that sugar cane farming became popular in northern New South Wales and Queensland.
The area around the mill started to grow. In 1841, the Sugar Company and Robert Campbell divided their land. They sold parts of it to create the village of Canterbury. This was done to house the mill workers. It also helped raise money for the mill to operate.
Changes and Closure
From 1843 to 1846, Edward Knox managed the Australasian Sugar Company. He was a close friend of Robert Campbell. In 1855, a new company was formed, called the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR). This company decided to close the Canterbury mill. They moved their operations to a different location in Sydney.
The Old Sugarmill then sat empty for many years. In 1880, it was bought by Frederick Clissold. Later, it was sold to Blacket and Co., an engineering company. They hoped to benefit from a new railway line. But the railway was delayed, and the company went out of business.
The Mill's Later Uses
In the 1900s, the Old Sugarmill was used for different things.
- From 1900 to 1908, it was a bacon factory run by Denham Bros.
- Around 1908, the tall chimney, which was a famous part of the mill, was pulled down.
- In 1980, a company called J. C. Hutton and Co. bought the mill. They used it to make smallgoods (like sausages).
- In 1983, Hutton sold the property to Nick Scali and Co. Pty Ltd.
The Mill Today
The Old Sugarmill is a five-storey building. It has a classic Georgian style. You can still see a small triangle-shaped part called a "pediment" that says "A.S.C. 1841". This shows who first owned the building.
For many years, the mill was a ruin. In 1996, it was even damaged by a fire. But in 2003, it was carefully restored. It was turned into an apartment building. Now, it's part of a larger group of homes.
Why the Old Sugarmill is Important
The Old Sugarmill is very important to the history of New South Wales.
A Landmark of Industry
It played a big part in the early sugar industry in Australia. It's also linked to the famous company CSR. The mill shows how industries developed in Canterbury. It was a sugar mill, then a foundry, a butter factory, and a processed food factory.
It is believed to be the oldest industrial building still standing in the Sydney area. It's a rare example of a factory built before the 1850s that still looks much like it did.
Beautiful and Historic Design
The Old Sugarmill is also important for its looks. It's a five-storey sandstone building with a balanced Georgian design. It stands out next to the Cooks River.
What We Can Learn from the Site
The site of the Old Sugarmill can teach us a lot. It has the potential to show us information about early life and industries in New South Wales. Even the equipment from its time as a food processing factory can tell us about old technologies.
A Rare Survivor
The Old Sugarmill is rare because it's thought to be the oldest surviving industrial building in the Sydney region. It's a special example of an industrial building from before the 1850s that has kept its original shape.
