Historical information

historic building

Physical description

National Trust Collection: the Fuse Factory, 197 Wattle Street, Bendigo. Built in three sections 1875-1901.
A brick complex of several factory buildings built in three separate but connected sections in 1875, 1889-1895
and 1901. Now a clothing factory but formerly produced safety fuses invented by Charles Ferry J.P. for the local
mines. The business was bought over in 1888 by a Cornish firm Bickford Smith who also made fuses. Notable
remaining architectural features (possibly by local architect W C Vahland and his son Henry) include ornamental
roof ventilators, elaborate cast-iron verandah trim. Attractive wrought iron gates, Cornish coats of arms let into the
walls and mansard type roofs over porches concealing water tanks