Historical information

Taken in Beechworth 1867, this photograph depicts the Bank of Victoria on the corner of Camp and Ford Street. This building was erected in 1867 to replace the former bank that was destroyed by a fire on the same site.

This classical style structure was designed by architects Smith and Johnson who designed many of the public buildings in Melbourne and Victoria. Arthur Ebden Johnson, 1821–1895 and Alfred Louis Smith, 1830–1907 were appointed as the Bank of Victoria's architects who, in-conjunction with the Branch in Beechworth, also completed branches in Wangaratta and Bendigo.

This photograph was taken and produced by the American and Australasian Photographic Company which was founded by Beaufoy Merlin joined by his assistant, Charles Bayliss and Augustus Clinton, and operated between 1866-1873. The company traveled throughout Victoria and New South Wales before establishing a portrait studio in Sydney. There is no apparent connection to America.

Physical description

Sepia rectangular photograph. Image is printed on matte photographic paper and has a white border.

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse:
1997.2727 (in pencil)
Bank of Victoria / Beechworth / 1877 (in pen)
Harvey Collection
American & Australasian / Photographic Company / Victoria Branch / C. Bayless, Manager
No 56