Historical information

One of only three remaining early 20th century shops in the former Little Eltham district.

The bootmaker's shop was operated by John Henry (Harry) Clark from about 1930. Clark was originally a photographer along with his brothers William (Will) Charles Clark and Clement Kent Clark. They operated as Clark Bros Photographers based at 25 Thomas Street, Windsor (Prahran) from about 1895 to 1915 at which point the premises was demolished.. Brother Clement died in 1912. From about 1910 Harry was living and working as a photographer in Eltham and was recorded on the electoral rolls as a photographer from 1915 up to and including at least 1928. He boarded with Thekla Jarrold and the Jarrold family in the Jarrold family cottage (Whitecloud). By 1931 he changed his profession to Bootmaker and Thekla Jarrold built him this litrtle shop circa 1930 on the corner of her property next to the family home. He was well regarded by all as a fine leather worker and operated as a Bootmaker from his little shop at least until 1954. He died at St Vincent'e Hospital in Dec 1956. Very little public record exists of Harry in the papers either as a photographer or bootmaker, one incident was reported in 1935 when he witnessed a girl on a bike come crashing down Dalton Street and across Main Road into the pond next to his shop.

ELTHAM GIRL THROWN FROM CYCLE (1935, April 26). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 1. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56838786

Another reference is recorded in 1932 when Council proposed to drain the adjacent pond due to complaints about mosquitoes. Both Harry and Thekla objected to the proposal. The paper reported that Thekla had lived there for 39 years at the time and Harry for 22 withoiut any cause for concern about the pond.

Physical description

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips
And associated colour print 10 x 15 cm

Inscriptions & markings

Fuji 200 A