Historical information

Timber was the most important early industry in the Dandenongs, including at Emerald. It provided timber for infrastructure as well as for fuel for the rapidly growing city. Some mills were quite small as this one appears to be. The writer 'Emmy' is probably the daughter of James and Emerald (Watson) Legg who were married in Gembrook in 1885, as Emmy references the names of Legg siblings. This and other photographs and postcards came from the estate of David Moyle (1938-2015) who was a police officer in Emerald during late 1960s-early 1970s, and subsequently at Belgrave in the early 1980s. David Moyle was closely associated with the now defunct Sherbrooke Historical Association.

Significance

This postcard is significant because of it is a reminder of the importance of the timber industry during early colonial settlement in the Dandenongs and because it references a local family. it is also part of a collection belonging to a community member who had a close association with a local historical society. There is a separate photo of Emmy's father, James Legg, in the collection.

Physical description

Postcard of a timber mill at Emerald early 20th century.

Inscriptions & markings

On front: 'The Mill - Emerald'
On back printed: 'POST CARD / Correspondence Address
On back handwritten: 'Jim, Maudie, and Emerald / Wishing you all a Bright / and Happy New Year with / best love from your loving / Sister Emmie'