A.C. (Arthur Charles) Simon a pioneer orchardist in the Bacchus Marsh district planted this avenue of Osage orange trees in about 1883, creating an imposing entrance to his property from Taverner Street. Simon also believed that the trees on his orchard property would provide a protective shelter for his other plants. Osage orange trees (Maclura pomifera) are a small deciduous tree or large shrub, native to the south-central United States. It usually grows to about 8 to 15 metres high. The distinctive fruit, a multiple fruit that resembles an immature orange, is roughly spherical in shape, about 8 to 15 centimetres in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the autumn. A. C. Simon is believed to have imported the Osage orange seeds from America around the 1860s and later used them to plant the trees depicted in this image. The date of this image is not certain but it probably shows the trees around the 1900s or 1910s. The avenue of trees was known for many years in Bacchus Mars as 'Simons Avenue', and were featured in a Rose series postcard dating from around 1900-1920. The remnants of this avenue or grove of trees can be seen on some of the properties on the north side of Taverner Street Bacchus Marsh and along the Werribee River west of the FIsken Street bridge.The Bacchus Marsh Heritage Study of 1995 described the Osage Orange Tree avenue as being of regional historical significance as a landscaping practice, pioneering of its type, It was also described as of local significance as a well-known landmark due to it be being represented on widely distributed post cards which depicted scenes of Bacchus Marsh in the early part of the twentieth century. This early photographic image is evidence of this social and cultural significance.A black and white photograph print mounted on mounting board showing an avenue of Osage orange trees. trees, osage orange trees, simon family bacchus marsh, arthur charles simon 1833-1924, orchardists

This cake stand was hand turned from osage orange wood. The wood was sourced from a grove of osage orange trees in the Fisken/Taverner Street area. This grove was planted by Mr A C Simon, an orchardist, who brought the seeds from North America in the 1860's to create a protective hedge for his plants The wood from these plants produces a beautiful toned affect of dark brown and yellow/orange when turned and polished. The significance of this cake stand is that it has been carved from the osage orange which grows well in Bacchus Marsh although originated in America. Mr Simon made many items from this wood. This gives it local significance.This polished wooden stand would have been used for cake to be displayed It consists of a round 'plate' of wood as the top, with a fine narrow turned wood pedestal and a round base. The stand is made of osage orange giving it the unique tones of dark brown and orange wood.turned wood, osage orange, food stand, food display, brown orange wood, wooden, cake stand, parlour item, table centre piece, polished wood, ornamental stand

This small bowl was won by Alex Todd for marksmanship at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Bazaar in Bacchus Marsh in 1935. It was described in the Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper as a piece of Local Objet d'Art. The Express noted that it was 'made and donated to the Ladies' Guild by Mr. Walter Simon, of Bacchus Marsh. A local osage orange tree furnished the wood for the bowl, which was one of many articles that Mr. Simon's lathe has shaped from time to time, the grain of the osage timber being especially suitable for such work', Express, 25 May, 1935, p.2. A small polished wood bowl with unattached wooden lid. woodworking