Historical information
This site was originally that of Cobb and Co's livery stable and although the Cobb and Co office in the Shamrock Hotel closed in 1886, the livery stable continued with the proprietors, Robertson and Wagner and Co. The site was bought in August 1898 by the Fresh Food and Frozen Storage Co, proprietors of the Bendigo Butter Factory. On this site the company built an ice tory, refrigerating works and cool storage for other businesses.
The Bendigo Butter Factory was begun in 1894 in Lucan Street, opposite the distillery, by Mr McIntyre of the Rochester district. This site included a butter printer and Weigher supplied by Cherry and Son of Gisborne. In September 1895 the Butter factory was floated as a public company and was registered by Mr J H Curnow. However the factory was not financially sound at this point and entered into receivership in 1896. At this time it was bought by the Fresh Food and Frozen Storage Company of Melbourne and was placed under the management of James Cumming, an experienced dairyman. The company had previously appointed him as their inspector of creameries. By 1911 he was the propietor of the Flora Hill Butter Factory. and was later killed in a car accident in May 1937.
By 1919 the manager was Douglas Orson Oldfield (1868-1944) (NB at birth he was registered as Dugald and throughout his life he was also known as Dan).
Physical description
Colour photograph. Building on the corner of Mundy & Mollison Streets, Bendigo (opposite the former Gravel Hill State School). Building was formerly Charlton's Cobb & Co. building, and latter Bendigo Butter factory.
