On the corner of 53 Stokes Street is the original building of the Swallow and Ariell Steam Biscuit Manufactory, founded in 1854 to make ships biscuits. At one time most Port Melbourne families had a member working for ‘Swallows’. Few older residents would not recall the smell of fresh biscuits, once considered an essential characteristic of Port Melbourne. ‘Swallows Juniors’, which commenced in 1957, was an iconic TV show for many baby boomers. The complex eventually occupied almost the entire block but is now converted to residential apartments. It is the oldest, largest and most intact food processing complex in Victoria. The factory did not miss a single day in biscuit production for 137 years until it closed in 1991 earning a listing in the Guinness World Records. Opposite is the ‘counting house’ at 60 Stokes Street, which housed the offices of ‘Swallows’. On the corner is St Joseph’s hall and church.
by cityofportphillip on March 31, 2016Please login to comment on this item