Lost Stables

They were living on borrowed time. Standing in a prime location for 105 years, the CBC Bank stables defied the developers longer than expected. Progress eventually prevailed and this icon from a past age was no longer. Thankfully, it was photographed just days before the demolition.

The development application that sounded the death knell for the stables was submitted by the land owners Janango Pty Ltd. In August 1986, Janango submitted an application to erect a single storey commercial building. The stables had been identified and listed in the Campbelltown Council's Historical Register as having historical significance. They also had a Heritage Order placed on them along with the bank building. It could not save them. A council inspection noted the poor condition of the building and they recommended the stables be demolished. Their favourable location no doubt was also considered. 

Attempts had been made in the lead up to their destruction to save the site. A proposal was put forward to have them as the centre-piece of a courtyard development. Its success would have meant a stay of execution for the iconic stables. Nothing came of this and the stables were demolished not long after they were last photographed in September 1986. 

Do you remember the old CBC Bank stables?

The stables photographed on 10 September 1986 by Brad Harris (Campbelltown City Library)

                     An undated photo from the A. Walker Collection (Campbelltown City Library)

Written by Andrew Allen

Source: 

ALLEN, Andrew 2018

More Than Bricks and Mortar: Remembering Campbelltown's Lost Buildings

Campbelltown: Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society

           

Queen Street in the Late 1960s

Time for a walk down memory lane. This photograph would've been taken from the roof of the old Macquarie Cinema on the corner of Queen and Browne Streets looking south west. Those of you living in Campbelltown in the late 1960s would remember this part of Queen Street back then. (Click on the image for a larger version)

In the foreground on the left is Mawson Park with the Club Hotel also on the left on the corner of Queen and Cordeaux Streets. On the other side of Queen Street starting from the right is Ted McPherson's butcher shop which was at 151 Queen Street. Moving left and next to the butcher is Richie Hand's barber shop. Next to that is a milk bar owned by Con and Peter Papapandos and formerly operated by Grallelis'. Then we have a group of 2 storey buildings. The first on the left belonged to Ryall, Smith & Co, accountants, typing, duplicating and photocopying. It was upstairs and above Carolyn's Frock Salon. G E Eves, photographer was next at 157 Queen Street and this was also upstairs. Geoff Eves took this photograph and took many street scenes around this period. He still lives in Campbelltown. Moving left we had William B. Leckie, Chemist, at 159 Queen Street.

Moving further to the left, a vacant block of land sits beside two large buildings. On the right is the Bank of NSW, previously the Balalaika Cafe. On the other side of the vacant block is the Commercial Bank of Australia, later Bank of NSW and then Westpac. On the first floor was M R Newton, solicitor and J M Daly, surveyor. This site used to be occupied by Reeve's Emporium. Patrick Street is on the other side of this building.

Just out of the picture to the left is Lack's Hotel which was on the corner of Queen and Railway Streets.

Do you remember these businesses? We'd love you to share your memories with us!

Written by Andrew Allen

Source:

Campbelltown Ingleburn News, September 30, 1969

Early Banking Days in Campbelltown

There were no banks in the early years of the town's settlement. Most business was conducted using the exchange of promissary notes as there was little cash in circulation. By the late 1830s John Hurley was virtually Campbelltown's private banker mostly because of his connection with John O'Sullivan the manager for Goulburn's Commercial Banking Company. From the mid-1860s post offices accepted deposits for the government savings bank. By the 1870s there was a need for branches in the larger towns like Campbelltown.

George L. Jones opened the Campbelltown Branch of the C.B.C Bank in October 1874. Banking was originally done from 282 Queen Street, now one of the four historic Queen Street buildings located opposite Campbelltown Mall. Records reveal that the manager was the only employee for several years, and was paid a salary of £12/10 a month.

In 1877, an assistant was appointed to the branch on a salary of £6/5/ a month. Conditions for the manager had improved, he was supplied with a horse and carriage and in increase in salary to £25 a month. In addition, he was given an extra monthly allowance to provide for servants, fuel, feed for his horse and entertainment.

Life in Campbelltown could not have been easy in those days. Bank records reveal hardship with an entry in a ledger, "Purchase of pair of spectacles for use by customers, 1/ (10 cents).

The first purposely built bank building was erected in 1881. This is today's Macarthur Advertiser building. The building was used as a bank until 1985. Quaint stables at the rear were demolished soon after.

The Commercial Banking Company Bank in Queen Street photographed in 1881, the year it was built.


The Bank of New South Wales opened its Campbelltown Branch in February 1878. Its first manager was William Hurley, a son of the local member of parliament and publican, John Hurley, who for many years acted as a private banker. Hurley's Royal Hotel was later leased to John Graham and became the Family Hotel. The Bank of New South Wales opened in these premises. The building was located in Queen Street almost opposite Lithgow Street but a little to the south.

The Bank of New South Wales taken in 1894. It was still standing in the 1960s although much altered.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Liston, Carol
Campbelltown: The Bicentennial History, 1988

Campbelltown Ingleburn News July 1976