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 image shows one of the busiest intersections of Bacchus Marsh, the corner of Main and Grant Streets. The main building shown in the image is Simon Brothers Motor Service and Cycle Depot. In 1903 the Simon brothers, Herbert (Bert) and Walter began making Monarch bicycles and later Monarch motor cycles. In 1913 they moved into newly constructed premises shown in this image. The business operated as both a garage, service station and cycle depot. The business operated until 1948 when P. S. Carey brought the premises to expand his Grant Street car dealership business which was located next to the Simon Brothers garage. Black and white photograph showing Simon Brothers Motor garage Bacchus Marsh seen from the northern side of Main Street looking south west towards Grant Street. BMDHS Location: AR/R4/S2 Photo Album Jack Coe Collection, and digital image on BMDHS computer network.On reverse, "Jack Coe Collection"small businesses bacchus marsh, simon family bacchus marsh, simon brothers garage, petrol stations