In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr bob manuell, matthew rodscholler

In 1919 J.B. North, a violinist with the then Melbourne Symphonic Orchestra, and Monsieur Leon Lambert, a French architect, who later designed the Glaciarium Ice Skating Rink, purchased three available farms, Looker's, Wright's and Taylor's, approximately 60 acres, the area running along the creek and being bordered by the present day Ryans Road, Karingal Drive and Sherbourne Road. The farms were used for orchards and market gardens. Leon Lambert designed and built two homes on the farm site, one for the North family, ‘Tralford’, and the other, ‘Glen Ellen’, for himself and his wife. The homes were considered as "brother and sister" and they each included in their design an identical bay window in the main living area. "Glen Ellen" originally comprised kitchen, lounge room, inglenook, dining room, bath room and sleepout. Although the home has been extended over the years, much of the original architecture has been retained including timber panelling and three fireplaces. The land was subdivided in approximately 1966 with "Glen Ellen" retaining approximately one half acre of land fronting Meruka Drive. The property then passed from the Charleston family to Gerald and Margaret Sutton in 1976 and again was sold in 1980 and lastly sold again in 1994. The Norths named their house 'Tralford'. According to Marjorie North, the name Meruka was suggested by Alan Gardner and so was apparently not used by the North family. The name appears to be of Indian origin and its connection with the land is not known. ‘Tralford’ stayed in the North family for many years. Eltham Council acquired the house to create Meruka Park. The house was used for some years by the Council as a community arts facility and as emergency accommodation. It fell into disrepair and was demolished about 1990. The Meruka Child Care Centre has been built on the site and incorporates some of the architectural features of the old house. The Co-op was opened in April 1994. The original drive flanked by large old cypress trees remains. These trees are considered to be of local heritage significance and for this reason Meruka Park is covered by a Heritage Overlay under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Part of the park has been preserved as habitat for rare local flora. LL's house, named ‘Glen Ellen’, remains in a well-preserved state and fronts Meruka Drive.eltham, meruka child care co-operative, meruka house, meruka park, cr pam sladden, mandy press

Map of Main Road with listings of all properties (shops/homes) from Mount Pleasant Road through to Pryor Street from the 1930s on to about the 1970sandrew store, andrews newsagency, arthur street, babe taylor house, bakery, barbers blue gum store, blue gum, boarding house, bootmakers cottage, bottle shop, bradford butcher shop, bradford house, bradley house, brdbury house, bridge street, brooker, brougham steet, brown blacksmith, browne's grocer, bryant, burgoyne post office, burgoyne's shop, capewell butcher shop, catholic church, catholic school, chandlers lolly shop, cheddar black, chiropractor, cockcroft, commercial bank of australia, copelands chemist, copelands dairy, d. hall house, dave lyon house, david lyon house, dr cordner, dr loosli, dr r. bradbury, dudley street, eltham, eltham bakehouse, eltham courthouse, eltham fire brigade, eltham living and learning centre, eltham pre-school, eltham railway station, eltham shire office, eltham station masters house, eltham war memorial, f. collis store, feed store, fountain hotel, franklin street, gadd's blacksmith, gahan house, garnet burges, george bird grocer, gollings, grant house, harry hawker, headmaster's resience, henry street, hepburn house, hills house, isherwood house and shop, jack ryan, jack shallard, james house, jarrold cottage, jim ryan, john lyon house, kilpatrick, le brocq, leather and harness, len parsons, lock-up, lyon bros garage, main road, map, mathews house, mclean's produce store, mechanics institute, methodist church, methodist hall, milkbar, mills bootmaker, miss george, monteith house, mount pleasant road, mrs bradbury, mrs davis house, mrs jewell, mrs mbremner store, mrs morris shop, napoleon street, obelisk, panther place, peter gahan, pitt street, plumber, police residence, poultry and market garden, pryor street, railway house, rains newsagency, real estate agent, reeves general store, s. bradbury, shillinglaw cottage, staffs general store, stones mixed shop, tennis court, timber yard, w. walker, w.b. andrew corn store, warren's general store, water trough, watsons hotel, websters house, whitecloud cottage, whites general store, williams bootmaker, wingrove cottage, wingrove park, woodyard, york street, franco and co

728 Main Road, cnr of Brougham Street, Eltham, May 1988. Former Police House (1859) which at time of photo was the offices of the Shire of Eltham Parks and Environment. This photo was taken prior to the building of the replica Police Station to serve as a lunch room. The origional timber weatherboard building had been relocated around the rear of the residence years earlier but had since been demolished due to termite infestation. Ten years later (1998) the residence was made available by Nillumbik Shire Council for occupation by the Eltham District Historical Society (former Shire of Eltham Historical Society) to be used as their Local History Centre.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 36) Mount - Kodak KodachromeProcess Date MAY 88Meltham, infrastructure, main road, brougham steet, eltham justice precinct, local history centre, parks and environment, police residence, shire of eltham

Photo taken immediately prior to the demolition of the old baker's shop on the corner of Main Road and York Street, Eltham. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house. The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Publicity at the time was oriented toward moves to preserve the weatherboard building which came from a number of individuals including members of this society. The society had no official connection with any proposal to retain the building or any part of it on any other site. The issues involved were part of a wider consideration of the matter of preservation of historic buildings. In this case the Society and in particular the committee had been aware for some years of the impending demolition. The possibility of the preservation of the building had been canvassed on a number of occasions. The Society’s view was that whilst the baker’s shop was an interesting old building which contributed to the character of Main Road, it was not of sufficient importance to wage an organised campaign for its preservation. It considered that if the building were to be preserved for historical reasons it would be far more feasible to retain it in its present location than to re-build it on another site.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

Photo taken immediately prior to the demolition of the old baker's shop on the corner of Main Road and York Street, Eltham. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house. The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Publicity at the time was oriented toward moves to preserve the weatherboard building which came from a number of individuals including members of this society. The society had no official connection with any proposal to retain the building or any part of it on any other site. The issues involved were part of a wider consideration of the matter of preservation of historic buildings. In this case the Society and in particular the committee had been aware for some years of the impending demolition. The possibility of the preservation of the building had been canvassed on a number of occasions. The Society’s view was that whilst the baker’s shop was an interesting old building which contributed to the character of Main Road, it was not of sufficient importance to wage an organised campaign for its preservation. It considered that if the building were to be preserved for historical reasons it would be far more feasible to retain it in its present location than to re-build it on another site.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

The old weatherboard building, possibly dating from the 1860s, comprised a dwelling with a shop in the front room opening off a timber verandah deck which directly fronted the Main Road footpath. At the rear is a brick building of much later date which was for many years used for the bakery. The buildings were demolished for flat construction. Joh Ebeli and Elwers Howard endeavoured to preserve some parts of the house.35 mm colour positive transparency Mount - Agfachrome Professional black (Germany) 4 dotsmain road, old eltham bakery, york street

Built in 1860, the Eltham Courthouse is the oldest public building remaining in Eltham. In its early days the building was used as the meeting place and office of the Eltham District Road Board and as an overflow classroom for the local school. The Eltham Courthouse ceased operational duties in 1984 and is now used by various community groups including Eltham District Historical Society. It was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (Number H0784) in 1982. The building is of architectural significance because it retains intact early features. These include use of handmade bricks, simple decoration, roof trusses, timber ceiling boards, original windows, doors and associated hardware and a collection of court furniture. Additions to the court house have been done in a manner which did not interfere with the fabric of the original building. It is a fundamental asset in the Eltham Justice Precinct and is being fully restored in 2021 thanks to Nillumbik Shire Council.35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 23) Mount - Kodak EktachromeProcess Date MAY 88Meltham, eltham courthouse, main road

Robert and Ada Zull built an Alistair Knox designed house at 2 (lot 8) Metery Road, Eltham, a one acre property for their family of five in the mid 1960s. This series of photographs show the bush block before construction, concrete footings and base being poured and the timber frame takes shape. The house had a concrete floor. Susan Bennett, nee Zull's reminiscences are published in EDHS Newsletter, February and April 2020. ".. the block was big.. Building the house was slow going. The plans had to be discussed, then drawn up, finance found, council permits obtained and labourers engaged. "This series of photographs together with the account of personal remiscences provide a unique document of the construction of an Alistair Knox designed home. Knox was a pioneer in the use of mudbricks and recycled materials and is significant to his contribution of this style of architecture in Eltham and the wider Shire of Nillumbik.zull family, eltham south, 2 metery road, alistair knox, footings, concrete, concrete mixer, frame, bush block, fj holden standard sedan

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983. Notice George's Rover P6 2000 (JXS507 (1968 registration)) which was sold in 1986.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses, rover p6 2000

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Oregon timber beams and Jarrah flooring were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency. Also 5 x 13 cm black and white print68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, victoria docks, wool shed, eltham, houses

Timber beams were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, templestowe cool store, eltham, houses

Timber beams were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, templestowe cool store, eltham, houses

Timber beams were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, templestowe cool store, eltham, houses

Timber beams were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, templestowe cool store, eltham, houses

Timber beams were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, templestowe cool store, eltham, houses

Timber beams were salvalged by George Coop and incorporated into extensions undertaken to 68 Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham. Timber collection/storage for the house extension took years and much was stored on the front lawn for nearly ten years. The renovations were undertaken c.1983.Digital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Kodak Plus-X black and white negative transparency68 mount pleasant road, george coop collection, templestowe cool store, eltham, houses