Up-To-Date Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Up-To-Date Store and Garth Jones Collection of farm machinery |
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| Location | 127-129 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon, Coolamon Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1909–1909 |
| Architect | William John Monks |
| Owner | Coolamon Shire Council |
| Official name: Up-To-Date Store and Garth Jones Collection of farm machinery; Up To Date Store | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 13 October 2006 |
| Reference no. | 1761 |
| Type | Shop |
| Category | Retail and Wholesale |
| Builders | George Henry Mutch |
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The Up-To-Date Store is a historic building in Coolamon, Australia. It used to be a shop but is now a museum. Inside, you can find the Garth Jones Collection of Farm Machinery. The store was designed by William John Monks and built in 1909 by George Henry Mutch. Today, the Coolamon Shire Council owns the property. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on October 13, 2006, because of its important history.
Contents
The Store's Story
The Up-To-Date Store's history is closely linked to how Coolamon town grew. It also shows how the wheat industry developed in the area. From 1909 to 1932, the store sold tools and household items to farmers. It also bought wheat and other farm goods from them. The store did well when farming was strong. However, it closed in 1932, during the worst part of the Great Depression.
Coolamon's Growth
Coolamon became a town in 1881. This happened because a railway line was built, which helped wheat farming grow in New South Wales. Coolamon started as a small railway stop. At first, it was known for its timber industry. But soon, wheat became the main focus. Farmers started growing much more wheat, especially after a big drought ended in 1903. By 1905, over 100,000 bags of wheat were sent from Coolamon railway station. Coolamon's population tripled, reaching about 600 people by 1906. The main street, Cowabbie Street, was made wide for wheat wagons. Shops, hotels, and offices lined this street.
Building the New Store
The land where the Up-To-Date Store stands was bought by Nicholas Mutton in 1908. His family owned it until 1987. The Coolamon Shire Council bought it in 1998. The people who ran the store from 1909 to 1932 rented the building; they didn't own it. A store had been on this spot since 1883. By 1893, it was a wooden building called the Up-To-Date Store, even though the name wasn't on the front. "Up-to-date" was a common phrase for modern businesses back then.
In 1907, Harold Nadin, F. Alcock, and William Denoon took over the store. Nicholas Mutton, the new owner of the land, likely decided to build a new, impressive store. This was probably because a competing store, Ashwood Brothers, had built a big new brick shop in 1907. The new Up-To-Date Store was designed to be modern and even included a special cash system.
Store Operators Over Time
Work on the new store began in January 1909, and it was finished by July. William Alfred Iverach joined Nadin and Denoon in the new store. The local newspaper praised the new building, calling it "Up-to-date" and highlighting its modern features. It had large windows for displays and many departments like clothing, groceries, and hardware. A big storage room was built at the back.
The store was run by different groups over the years:
- Nadin, Iverach and Denoon (1909-1912): William Iverach had worked at the old store since 1896. He became a partner in the new Up-To-Date Store.
- Nadin, Iverach and Wilson (1912-1914): William Denoon left, and Hugh Charles Wilson joined the business.
- Nadin and Iverach (1914-1925): Wilson sold his share, leaving Nadin and Iverach as the main partners. They became agents for farm machinery companies like H. V. McKay Sunshine.
- W.A. Iverach (1925-1932): Iverach bought out Nadin and ran the store alone. In 1932, he moved his business to a larger building down the street.
After the Store Closed
After 1932, the Mutton family, who owned the building, used it for storage. They kept hay, grain, fencing, and machinery there. They also changed parts of the building, like replacing a wooden extension with a corrugated iron one. They built a new shed with a forge for repairing machinery. The store was also used for roller skating, as a fruit shop, and even for boxing. In 2018, the building became a museum and also houses the Coolamon Library.
What the Store Looks Like
The Up-To-Date Store is on a corner where Cowabbie and Loughnan Streets meet. It has two main fronts facing the streets, with a wide porch (verandah) that wraps around. The building is made of brick with a corrugated iron roof. It has wooden doors and windows.
The top of the building has a decorative wall called a parapet. This parapet has fancy designs and smooth panels for signs. The corner of the building is angled, with the main entrance there. Above this entrance, the parapet rises into a special curved shape with a small pointy decoration. The year "1909" is written above it.
The store is a good example of the Federation Free Style of architecture, popular around 1900-1915. This style often has interesting rooflines, different textures like brick and smooth plaster, and curved shapes.
Inside, the store has two big main rooms and three smaller rooms at the back. The walls are painted brick, and the floors, counters, and shelves are made of wood.
The Lamson Cash Carrier
One special feature inside is the Lamson Cash Carrier system. This old system used hollow wooden balls that rolled down tracks. Money from the counters would be put into these balls and sent to an office. There, change would be made and sent back to the counter staff. This system helped keep money safe. It's not working now, but most of the tracks and parts are still there.
Sheds and the Farm Collection
The north shed, built after 1932, replaced the original stables. It still has an old blacksmith's forge. A newer shed was built in 1998. These sheds house the Garth Jones Collection.
The Garth Jones Collection has many old farm tools and machines. It includes wagons, ploughs, a wheat pickler, a windmill, and harnesses for horses and oxen. The two wagons are very special because they are in great condition and still have most of their original paint. This collection is unique because most items came from the Coolamon area and Garth Jones's family farms. It shows how farming was done in the past, covering topics like water, clearing land, and transport. Garth Jones also shared stories about working on the land, which makes the collection even more meaningful.
Why the Store is Important
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The Up-To-Date Store is very important to the history of New South Wales. It's a great example of a medium-sized country store from the early 1900s. It's amazing how much of the original inside, like counters and shelves, is still there from 1909.
The store's layout helps us understand how a general store worked back then. It shows all the different things they sold and the services they offered. The Lamson Cash Carrier system is especially rare. It's one of the only ones left in Australia that is still in its original place.
The Garth Jones Collection of farm machinery is also very important. It's one of the best collections of its kind in New South Wales. It shows the strong link between the store and the farming community. The store sold equipment to farmers, and the collection shows the kind of farming that happened in the area. The collection is special because it's mostly original, has good records, and came from local farms. It helps us learn about farming history, like how people used horse power and transported goods. The old forge in the shed also connects the store to the repair of farm tools.
Historical Significance
The Up-To-Date Store shows how Coolamon grew as a trading center in the early 1900s. Its size and design reflect the confidence people had in the town's future. The store has been on this site since 1883 and was one of the main shops in town for many years.
The store is also linked to important people like Frederick Hall, W.A. Iverach, and Nicholas Mutton. These people helped build Coolamon and were active in the community. The store also employed many people. The building itself is an interesting work by the well-known architect W.J. Monks.
Looks and Design
The Up-To-Date Store stands out on the main street of Coolamon. Its location on a corner and its unique design make it a key part of the town's look. It's a good example of the Federation Free Style of architecture, with its interesting roofline, different materials, and curved shapes. The building's design helps tell the story of Coolamon's past.
Community Connection
The Up-To-Date Store has a special place in the hearts of the Coolamon community. Even though it hasn't been a store for almost 60 years, people still remember it and the people who worked there. Groups like the Up-To-Date Store Committee and the Coolamon Heritage and Advancement Society work to preserve it. The fact that the Coolamon Shire Council bought it in 1998 shows how much the community values it.
Learning from the Past
The store's remaining items and the Garth Jones Collection offer valuable information. They help us understand what life was like in a country town in New South Wales in the early 1900s. They show how a general store worked and its role in the community and farming.
Rare Features
The Up-To-Date Store is very well-preserved for a building from 1909. The Lamson Cash Carrier system is extremely rare. Only two other examples of this old ball system have been found in Australia, and this one is unique because it's still largely intact and in its original spot. The Garth Jones Collection is also rare because of its excellent condition, detailed history, and how well all the items fit together.
The Up-To-Date Store and Garth Jones Collection of farm machinery were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on October 13, 2006.
Images for kids
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The Up-To-Date Store in Coolamon.
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Inside the Up-To-Date Store, showing its original layout.
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A close-up of the Lamson cash ball system.
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A map showing the heritage boundaries of the site.
See also
