Across Beach Street is another eminent factory landmark, which in the 1990s became ‘The Anchorage’. Its unique residential spaces occupy remnants of the Swallow & Ariell biscuit factory. This complex comprised a variety of bakeries constructed over a one hundred year period from 1858, as you will observe in the evocative architecture and decorative detail if you walk around those structures which remain. Established in 1854 to bake ships’ biscuits, ‘Swallows’ was a major local employer. Virtually every Port Melbourne family had at least one person working there. Later Arnott’s biscuits, it closed in 1991 with a mourned loss of bakery smells to the neighbourhood, older portions were listed on the Historic Buildings Register, but its development as a residential area involved the demolition of some of the 20th century buildings. Fortunately those of the 19th century survived. On the corner of Rouse and Stokes Street is the earliest of the remaining buildings, which dates to 1858. In those days Thomas Swallow’s family home was on the top storey, and the employees took meals there with them.
by PMHPS on April 29, 2016Please login to comment on this item