Portland Cement Works Precinct facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Portland Cement Works Precinct
Portland Cement Works in 1950.
Location	Williwa Street, Portland, City of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1890–2003
Architect	Various
Owner	Boral Limited
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Portland Cement Works Precinct; Portland Cement Group; Commonwealth Portland Cement Company Ltd
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	3 August 2012
Reference no.	1739
Type	Historic Landscape
Category	Landscape - Cultural
Builders	Various
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The Portland Cement Works Precinct is a special historical site in Portland, Australia. It used to be a big factory where cement was made, and it also had limestone quarries (places where stone is dug out). The site was built and changed many times between 1890 and 2003.

It's also known as the Portland Cement Group or the Commonwealth Portland Cement Company Ltd. Today, the property is owned by Boral Limited. This important site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on August 3, 2012, because of its rich history.

Discovering Portland's Cement History

The story of the Portland Cement Works began a long time ago. Before Europeans arrived, Aboriginal people lived in this area for thousands of years. The first European visitor was James Blackman in 1820. Later, people started to use the limestone found here.

Early Attempts at Making Cement

• In 1863, Thomas Murray started making lime on the site. Lime was an important building material.
• By 1882, George Raffan and Alexander Currie owned the land.
• In 1887, they formed the Cullen Bullen Lime & Marble Works. This company later became the Cullen Bullen Lime & Cement Company.
• From 1889 to 1895, this company tried to make cement called "Kangaroo" brand. But the cement wasn't always good quality, and production stopped in 1895.
• The company failed, and George Raffan and his brother John took over, calling it the Ivanhoe Lime and Cement Works & Colliery. This also failed by 1898.
• You can still see some parts of this early cement making, like two old bottle kilns and a brick building called "Raffan's Mill."

The Rise of Commonwealth Portland Cement

• In 1899, a British company bought the land and equipment. They sent Dr. August Scheidel, a smart expert in metals, to manage it.
• In December 1900, a new company was formed: the Commonwealth Portland Cement Company (CPCC). Dr. Scheidel became its Managing Director.
• They tore down most of the old factory and built a new one with modern German machinery.
• By 1902, the CPCC started making cement under the "Union" brand. It was very successful!
• The demand for their cement was so high that they quickly expanded. Production grew from 13.5 tons in 1903 to 68 tons in 1910.

How the Cement Works Shaped Portland Town

The cement works and the town of Portland grew up together. The town was even named after "Portland Cement," the product made there.

• The CPCC helped build much of the town's services. They provided electricity for the streets and even helped build the police station.
• They built houses for their workers and officers.
• The company also supported the local hospital and even started an ambulance service.
• Many families in Portland worked at the cement factory for generations. It was the main employer in the town.
• The company even helped form the town band and supplied uniforms!

Cement Production and Challenges

• The factory was very successful, especially in 1928.
• In the 1940s, they changed from a "Dry Process" to a "Wet Process" for making cement, which meant updating a lot of equipment.
• The CPCC's cement was used in many big projects across Australia, like the Cataract Dam and the Burrenjuck Irrigation Scheme.
• By 1912, the company made about 40% of all Portland Cement in Australia.
• During World War I (1914-1918), demand for cement increased, but there were fewer workers.
• The Great Depression (1928-1934) hit the company hard. Many workers lost their jobs, and sales dropped.
• During World War II (1939-1945), a small part of the site was used to make parts for weapons.
• In the late 1940s, the company changed owners. They installed new machinery.
• In the 1960s, they developed a new product called "Off White" cement, which became very popular.
• However, the overall demand for cement in Australia started to decrease.
• In 1974, the company merged with BHP and became Blue Circle Southern Cement Ltd.
• In 1991, the factory stopped making cement because the equipment was old and not efficient enough.
• The limestone quarries stayed open for a while to supply other cement works.
• In 1992, Boral took over Blue Circle Southern Cement.
• By 1998, the quarries closed, and much of the factory equipment was removed.

Buildings and Changes Over Time

Many buildings at the Portland Cement Works Precinct have changed over the years.

• Some of the oldest buildings, like the Powerhouse, Administration Building, and blacksmith's workshops, date back to 1902.
• The Powerhouse, where electricity was generated, was originally two separate buildings that were joined together.
• The site still shows how the factory was laid out, with buildings facing Williwa Street and old railway tracks.
• The tall chimney is a well-known landmark in Portland.
• After the factory closed in 1991, much of the machinery was taken away.

Workers' Cottages on Williwa Street

• Around 1890, the first homes for workers were built on Williwa Street. These included the "Bachelors' Quarters" and other simple cottages.
• In 1900-1902, more cottages were built.
• The "Casino" building, built in 1901, was a dining and reading room for unmarried officers.
• Around 1908, the Casino was turned into an accident ward to help injured workers and the public.
• The old Post Office building on Williwa Street was used as a bank for many years before becoming accommodation again.
• In 1943, the government used land next to the Casino to build a small factory for making gun parts.
• By 1992, as the cement works closed, the cottages became empty.

Preserving the Past: Why This Site is Important

The Portland Cement Works Site is very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows how one of Australia's most successful cement companies operated for over a century.

• A Key Part of History: This site was crucial for making cement, which was used to build many important structures in NSW throughout the 1900s. It used advanced technology, like German rotary kilns, which were cutting-edge in 1902.
• Connected to Important People: It's linked to Dr. August Scheidel, who is called the "father of the modern cement industry in Australia." He brought new ideas and technology to the site.
• Amazing Buildings and Design: The remaining buildings show how industrial factories were built in the 1900s. They have strong brickwork and steel designs. The workers' cottages also show how people lived in a "company town."
• Strong Community Ties: The site has a special connection to the town of Portland. The company helped build the town, providing homes, electricity, and even the local swimming pool. Many families worked there for generations.
• Research Opportunities: The site has old industrial features and records that can help us learn more about how cement was made and how the industry developed.
• A Rare Example: It's rare to find a town in NSW that was so closely tied to one single industry for such a long time. The town was even named after the product it made!

The Portland Cement Works Precinct is a great example of a large factory that helped create and support a whole town.