A History of Marrar and District, 1979. Researched and Compiled by Mr Alby Armstrong 5. The History of the Town of Marrar Includes the Hotel, Bank, Butcher, Baker, Garage, Buildings and more.
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It Started With the Tracks
Like so many small towns in N.S.W. Marrar Town had its beginning with the coming of the railway in 1881.  A few tents and tin shacks were home for the navvies as they toiled with picks, shovels and hammers to keep the two ribbons of steel moving ever westward.

To the rough diamond teamsters, with their horses and bullocks, home was under the big iron tyred wagons.  When the weather turned wet, tarpaulins were used to keep out the rain and provide a dry place to do the cooking.  Quite a few women and children lived with their menfolk on the construction sites under conditions so hard by today’s standards, we wonder how they managed to survive.

Nine miles was the recognised distance between camps and as construction moved further west a new camp-site would be set up.  After Marrar came Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong and Grong Grong with Narrandera the end of the line.

As the construction gangs moved on, some workers chose to remain and establish a town where the camps had been.  So, in such a fashion, the town of Marrar had its beginning.

With the Railway as an outlet for their produce, the surrounding stations were able to greatly increase their production.  Wheat, chaff and wool in ever increasing volume began to flow through the local Railway Yards.  This in itself brought extra employment, and, in turn, a demand for farm machinery and household goods was created.

General merchandise was first supplied by stores at the station homesteads, but with merchants prepared to build new premises and open up business houses, the small towns began to grow.

Village Proclamation
Marrar was proclaimed a Village on 27th February 1904, but well before this date the streets had been surveyed and building blocks pegged out.  The town was now beginning to take shape.

With York Street facing the railway line and shops on one side only, Wise Street and Wood Street were considered the logical streets for further shops to be built, with homes being erected further south.  A few of the early shops were just tin sheds, freezing in winter and ovens in the summer.

The Royal Hotel and Other Businesses
The first building of any substance in the town was the Royal Hotel which was completed in 1900.  Construction was by Grosvenor Flood, a gentleman with great confidence in the future of Marrar.  'Grover' Flood, as he was generally known, built several other buildings in York Street and all were built to last.  These same buildings stand solid today, a memorial to Flood, the pioneer.

The Royal Hotel was built of mud, or Pise as it was generally known.  This was a method used centuries before in the American West and Spanish settlements in South America, called Adobe.  Flood, who was a good tradesman, did quite a lot of the construction himself, assisted by George Jackson, a man of many trades.  Extra labour was provided by 'bush carpenters' who were always plentiful at that time.

With its twenty to twenty four inch thick walls, solid cyprus pine rafters and flooring, the old ‘Royal’ will be 79 years old when this book is published.  No doubt another 79 years is not beyond its life-span.  The old building could be classified as one of historical value in the near future.  Who knows?

The first licensee was a gentleman named Jess Campbell, who was assisted by his wife and his son Alf.  Jess Campbell was uncle to Jack and Bill Campbell who farmed in the district in later years.  Campbell held the license for many years and was succeeded by Claude Barber who had been the local policeman before changing to publican.  In the 'Roaring Twenties' the license was held by J.1. 'Old Joe', Langtry, who in turn was football club president, number one supporter and a player in the 1918 football team.  The name 'Old Joe' was applied so as not to confuse him with J.N. 'Young Joe' Langtry also a member of the football team.  After leaving the hotel 'Old Joe' farmed for awhile on the property on the Murrulebale Road now owned by H. Fox.  The old Pise home the Langtry family lived in is still standing.  In later years he moved to the Barellan district and whilst living there was elected to Federal Parliament as Member for Riverina.  Another well known personality to hold the license was Arthur James who was a very active and popular townsman during his time as 'Mine Host' at the Royal.

Post Office and Bank
Flood's next venture was the two storey building adjoining the hotel.  Built mainly of brick, this building opened in 1908 as the first independent Post Office in Marrar, Flood himself being the first Postmaster.  Previous to this, the first Post Office was part of the Railway Station.  On the 6th February 1906, Ernest Beaney, a railway employee, who was also a Postmaster, was paid an extra allowance to operate the telephone service.  During this period it was referred to as the Telephone Bureau.

With a new Post Office open, Flood received information that the Bank of New South Wales already established in Coolamon, was contemplating opening a branch in Marrar.  Another building adjoining the new Post Office was erected and the 'Wales' was happy to move in.  The year was 1913 and the first manager's name was McDonald McDonald.  He proved a popular manager and gave his bank a firm start in the district.  When McDonald's term as manager expired, the whole district turned out to bid him farewell and the party continued on into the daylight hours.

Business at the new bank continued to increase and it soon became evident that new and larger premises were needed.  A new building with manager's residence attached was erected facing the railway line across Wise Street from the Royal.  The Manager at the time was John Grant.  Later Managers names were Adainson, Frost and Finley.  The branch was closed w an economy measure in 1942 and all clients transferred to Coolamon.  After the Second World War ended, an agency, open one day a week, was commenced back in the original building, now part of the Royal Hotel block.  The agency is still operating today.

The Postal Department was not happy with the Post Office being next door to the hotel, and Flood was quick with an offer to erect a new building.  Agreement was reached with the Postal Department and the new building, with residence attached, was erected on the corner of Wood and York Streets.  The new Post Office built of bricks was completed during World War 1 with 'Grover' Flood still in charge.

When the first Post Office building became vacant, local resident, Arthur Wheel moved in to conduct a drapery store.  Wheel was a colourful character and his store was decorated with a large wagon wheel high up on the front above the verandah.  Under the wheel, painted in large letters were the words 'Give the Wheel a Turn'.  Like so many of the early settlers, Arthur Wheel lived life the hard way.  His house was situated on the hill on the town side of the cemetery.  Each day he walked to work in the morning and home at night.  With three other stores operating in the .own business was not strong enough for a fourth and after a few years the wheel stopped turning.

Butcher, Baker…
On the corner of York Street and Wagga Road, Cameron and Mitchell operated as Grain and Chaff Merchants in a large galvanised iron shed, later to become well known as the 'Village Blacksmith'.

In 1904, Ambrose Phelan constructed a weatherboard building next to Cameron and Mitchell and commenced business as a butcher.  A residence was erected alongside at the same time.

W.P. Ryan and his brother 'Paddy' opened a bakers shop in premises next to Phelan's residence.  This is the first known bakers shop to operate in Marrar.  The building also housed a fruit and vegetable shop.

In 1905, a small iron building built by Joe McQuillan was operating as a grocery store on land which is now part of Roberts Buildings.  In between McQuillan’s and Ryan's Bakery was another residence occupied by Peter Herrick.  A.M. Kelly who arrived in Marrar with his family in 1908 formed a partnership with Herrick and bought out McQuillan.  They commenced trading as Herrick and Kelly General Storekeepers.

During this time, Arthur Ray, who was destined to play a prominent part in the history of Marrar, had bought out the butchering business of Ambrose Phelan.  Frank Roberts, one of the early settlers, had started to erect brick buildings on land across the lane from the present service station.  Roberts had completed a brick butchers shop and Brook and Crouch, who had bought out Arthur Ray, opened up in the new premises.  Brook and Crouch were also in business in Coolamon.  The Pearce family moved into Phelan's residence and conducted this as a boarding house, using the old butchers shop as a meal room.

In 1911 fire broke out in one of the buildings and soon the whole block was a raging inferno.  When the fire burned out all that was left standing was the shed on the Wagga Road corner, a few chimneys and the brick walls of the butchers shop.

After the fire, the whole block, now known as Roberts Buildings, was built in portions commencing in 1912 with the brick portion still standing, and the last later occupied by Ryan and Langtry as Farm Machinery Agents and Produce Merchants, being completed in 1914.

After the big fire which wiped out the major part of the town, Jack Roberts erected a single front weatherboard shop on the land where the new Memorial Hall stands today.  Brook and Crouch operated their butchers shop here while Frank Roberts was rebuilding the premises destroyed by fire.

When the first part of the Roberts Building was completed, Brook and Crouch moved back, and their temporary premises became a greengrocers shop.  The old building later became a residence and was occupied by the Henry and Hancock families.

Arthur Ray, in 1912, erected a new brick butchers shop in the centre of York Street and opened up in opposition to Brook and Crouch.

The partners were not getting enough support after Ray returned to the trade so they closed their Marrar Branch and returned to Coolamon.  Lou Fury had worked for Brook and Crouch and moved with them to Coolamon.  Well known Coolamon personality 'Poddy' Slade also worked for the partners in Coolamon.

When the butchers shop in Roberts Building became vacant, local resident, Fred Sloe opened up as the towns second butcher.  Slee remained for several years then moved out to practice as a veterinary surgeon in the Marrar and Coolamon Districts.  During the depression years he drove a Model T. Ford car with a pole and attachments in the front pulled by two horses.

With their store destroyed by fire, Herrick and Kelly dissolved partnership.  Kelly carried on trading in a tin shed at the rear of the former shop, and Herrick in premises in Wise Street which looked like going ahead at the time.

With the completion of Roberts Building, A.M. Kelly moved in as proprietor of A.M. Kelly, 'The Busy Store', later A.M. Kelly & Son.

Harry Dale took over the small portion of Roberts Building next to Kelly's Store in 1914 and operated as a fruit and vegetable shop.  His hooded, two-wheeled cart was a familiar site around the town as he sold his wares in town streets and district farms.

Kelly's Store was to become a well known establishment in the next few years, weathering the great depression which saw so many fall by the wayside.  The 'Busy Store' was still in operation when A.M. passed on in 1947.

In 1949, Murphy Bros., Noel and Brian, who had acquired the Pioneer Store -further up the street, purchased the 'Busy Store' outright.  For awhile they operated both stores, the 'Pioneer' as a grocery and drapery store and Kellys as the hardware department.  Eventually all items were moved to the 'Busy Store' and the old Herrick Pioneer Store was closed.

Arthur Ray, who had become the sole butcher in the district, sold his business to Norman Hillan, a son of A.N. 'Gus' Hillan, a well known local farmer at the time.  From Hillan it passed to Percy Rootes, then to Webb Bros, Wally and Tom, who the old shop and built new premises further down the street.

Bill Quinn and son Jim succeeded Webb Bros.  They conducted the butchery during the depression years and engaged in stock dealing as a side line.  Jim played football, cricket and tennis during his sojourn in Marrar.  He was a capable violinist and his ability with the 'fiddle' earned him the 'nick name' of Squeaker'.

Others to follow in the butcher's shop were Albert Hillan, a younger brother Norman Hillan, Sep Stewart and the last one to operate the shop before it closed, Lou Fury, the young apprentice butcher from the early days of Brook and Crouch.

The Garage
The building now known as Marrar Motors has had many tenants.  Built around it was used as an agency by Lindley Walker Wheat Co. and managed by George Clark.  The Farmers and Graziers Company later acquired it with Clark still as Manager.  Others to work there were George Vincent, Bill Bartlett and Jack Friar.

The small section known as the garage office was occupied by George Delarue a native of France, who conducted a saddlery business.  He remained in business during the time of Lindley Walker and Farmers and Graziers but had moved out before John Fox took over.

The building was purchased in 1925 by John Fox and opened as a motor garage and service station.  Some mechanical work had been carried out in sheds, when required, before this time, but John Fox was the first to operate a full time service station.  His son Charlie was the Chief Mechanic for over a decade and later on became joint proprietor with brother Jack, trading as Fox Bros. when John Fox retired.

Homes
During the period 1905-1914 Marrar grew into quite a thriving town and most of its development took place during this time.  1905 was the year Harry White and his family arrived in Marrar.  A bullocky, as the bullock team owners and drivers were known, White was a resident for over forty years.  In later years he acquired the name of 'Dilly', mainly because of his actions in divining for water with a forked stick.  One of his predictions was that a large stream of underground water, moving from south to north passed under the Royal Hotel and Railway yards.  The prediction has never been tested to prove it right or wrong.  During his early years of residence, White erected several buildings, some of which still stand solid today.  His first was a weatherboard residence for himself and family in York Street just east of where the Uniting Church now stands.  The big old gate posts at the entrance to the house still stand.

Next to this house on the corner of Wood Street he built a large pise home for the Giddins family, parents of well known character 'Choc' Giddins.  This was later to become the home of A.M. Kelly and family for several years.  This old pise building after many years of occupancy finally reached the end of its days in 1948.  In its tumbledown condition on the main road, it was becoming an eyesore and was finally demolished by the Shire Council - thus the old pise landmark finally ended up as filling for Ted Ashwood's brick kiln pit.

The same year Harry White purchased the block of land directly behind the present day Post Office and facing Wise Street.  He constructed a large iron shed and with a few tools of trade opened a blacksmith's shop.  The premises were leased by Jack McNeil in 1906, who conducted the first full time blacksmith and wheelwright business in town.

Whites first home went the same way as so many early dwellings in Marrar, it was gutted by fire.  Having purchased a block of land in Wise Street across from the old recreation ground, White erected his second home.  This home was built with bricks from the Marrar Brick Kiln and still stands solid today.  It later served as a Police Station for a short period then became the home of the Ryan family for many years.

Harry White continued to prosper as a general haulier and his faith in Marrar remained unbounded.  His next venture was a double fronted brick shop next to Jack McNeil's blacksmith's shop.  The first tenants were Doug Mitchell, Barber and J. 'Lovey' Preston, Greengrocer and Fruiterer.  Preston had inherited the name 'Lovey' because of the use of the affectionate term to his wife and lady customers.  He used the trade name, S.P.Q.R. Fruit and Vegetable Shop.  The initials stood for Small Profits, Quick Returns.

More Stores
With the building boom still on, Ted Ashwood and Clarrie Cole, who were storekeepers in Coolamon erected a long narrow building on the corner opposite White's Buildings and opened a general store in 1907, trading as Ashwood and Cole.  The Manager was Harry Downes.  The venture was not a great success but they remained in business till 1915 when they closed down and returned to Coolamon.

After a short period in the blacksmith's shop, Jack McNeil sold out to Ernie Joyce.  Joyce in turn sold the business to Glass and Ford.  C.S. Glass took over Ford's interest in the business and moved to Cameron and Mitchell's building on the corner of the Wagga Road and York Street.  This building was much larger and with its high roof was an ideal place for a blacksmiths shop.

Charlie Glass was a native of Yackandanda in Victoria and came to Coolamon as a young man.  He learned the trade in Coolamon serving under Bill Beard, the local Blacksmith.  When the opportunity came, he moved to Marrar to conduct his business.  He walked the nine miles pushing his tools of trade in an iron tyred wheelbarrow.  With the coming of the horse teams and wagons and the increasing quantity of farm machinery, work was always plentiful, up to three men being employed, at times, at the Smithy.

The days when a whole wagon team of horses would turn up for a new set of shoes was always a hard day for the Smithy and his men.  They were experts at the job though, and even the worst rogues were handled with skill.  C.S. Glass remained the sole owner for over forty years, and even late in life would stoke up the forge and do a bit of blacksmith work.

Whilst Wise and York Streets were being built up, Wood Street was also opening up premises for business.

Brick Kiln
In 1908, Ted Ashwood and Cole, commenced a brick kiln at the southern end of Wood Street on the corner of what is now Hare Street.  Bricks from Ashwood's Kiln were used to build Ray's butcher shop, Harry White's buildings, Robert's Building and the Winters Buildings across the street from the Railway Station.

Most house chimneys in the town and district were also built with Ashwood bricks.  When building in the town ceased, no new orders were available and the kiln closed down.  The old pit from the works still remains, but is gradually being filled in.

The years 1905 - 1906 seem to have been years of great progress in the erection business houses.  During this time, Andy Winter and his wife, Mrs. S.A. 'Sal' Winter erected a barber shop and billiard room combined, also a new hall, known as Winter's Hall, in Wood Street.  Both buildings were of Cyprus Pine with galvanised iron roof.

Andy Winter was a fettler and later ganger in charge of the Railway Maintenance Crew, then stationed in Marrar.  The Winters, like the other early builders, were to play a prominent part in the shaping of Marrar.  They raised their children and spent the remainder of their years in the town.

Alf Gossett was the first barber to occupy the new premises and conduct the billiard saloon.

With another barber operating in Wise Street, the location in Wood Street was not popular and in 1909, the building was moved in one unit to the site of the latter-day barbers shop in York Street.

The job of moving the building in one piece was a mammoth one and no less than four bullock teams were called in to move it the short distance to its new location.  The teamsters were Ted Fury Snr., Joe Humphries, Tom Jobbins and Joe Connors.

In the same year, Mrs. Winter bought out the Bakery business of Bill and Paddy Ryan and employed Jack Godfrey and later Herb Daniels as bakers and pastrycooks.

The two-storied brick building, still standing, was under construction for Andy Winter and when this was completed, plant was installed and Mrs. Winter moved in as proprietress.  The bakery business was later sold to Frank Smith, a very good baker and business man.  Smith was the only baker in Marrar to ever offer a country home-delivery service.  He purchased a horse, had a special dust proof cart built and was soon covering a wide area with his bread deliveries.  His twice weekly trips took him as far out as Winchendon Vale.

Smith was succeeded by C.J. Taylor in 1919, but by 1920, the bakery had passed to W.G. 'Harry' Gillard.  Gillard was a specialist baker and took pride in exhibiting his bread, with great success, at many bread shows.  His greatest success was his Cyco Certificate, won for his bread against strong competition in New Zealand.  Ill health finally forced Harry Gillard out of business.  After he left, the bakers shop changed hands many times and was closed when the business was purchased by Ted Benbow, the present owner, and operated from Junee.

Less than a year after its big move, the old barber's shop and billiard room fell victim to the 'red terror' and in a short time was reduced to ashes.  As soon as the debris was cleared away, Andy Winter had an order in to Ashwood for bricks and within two months a new barber's shop and billiard saloon with two tables was operating.

Gossett, the barber, was succeeded by Joe Crawford and later by Walter Haddon who stayed for several years.  His family attended Marrar School and will be remembered by the older residents of the district.

Reuben Brown was the barber for a very short period and was followed by Dick Thomton, who had married Nell Pearce from Pearce's Boarding House.

Following Dick Thornton came Bill Bruce who was a talented footballer and played with Marrar in its heyday in the South West League.  After leaving Marrar, Bruce had a short term at Ganmain before opening his own business in Wagga and the business, still known as Bill Bruce Hairdresser, in Baylis Street, is carried on by his son.

When it became law for billiard saloons to be licensed, Mrs. Winter obtained the license for the Marrar Billiard Saloon.  Charlie Campbell, a part-time slaughterman for Rootes the butcher, ran the tables and when he moved to Wagga the job was taken over by Jim Langtry.

Jim Lyneham succeeded Bruce and remained until he enlisted in World War 2.

After the war ended a few attempts were made to reopen the business by Nick Winter who had inherited the business from his parents.  They met with little success and were finally abandoned in 1950.

When the barbers shop and billiard saloon was completed, Andy Winter continued with his building and in 1912 completed the large brick building next door.  This was occupied by Peter Herrick who began trading as Herrick's Pioneer Store in opposition to his former partner A.M. Kelly.  The building was later doubled in size and is still standing today.  Herrick remained until 1921 when he sold out to L. M. Redgrave.

Lance Redgrave was a good townsman and contributed a lot to the welfare of Marrar and District.  He was an above average cricketer and hockey player and captained Marrar with distinction in the years it held the O'Farrell Cup for cricket.  When football was in the doldrums, he organised a hockey team in Marrar, but lack of interest and little competition saw it fold up after only two years.

After a short period of service on the Coolamon Shire Council, Lance Redgrave was elected President.  During his term as President, the Council made great progress and many improvements were noticed in the district.  Redgrave Park in Coolainon was so named in recognition of his services to the community.  Lance Redgrave stayed until 1942 when the business was acquired by Murphy Bros.

Winter's Hall in Wood Street served the community well for many years.  As well as catering for dances and balls, the old building was used as a meeting place for most of the organisations in town.  Before the Catholic Church was built it was used each Sunday for church services.  When motion pictures were in their infancy, a travelling picture company used to show films every Saturday night.  If the weather was fine, the old hall was usually packed out.  An open air portion for use in summer was added later.  The pictures were always popular with the locals, but the old plant left much to be desired.  It consisted of an electric generator, driven by a fairly large petrol motor.  Just when the film would be getting to the crucial stage and the 'Goodie' was about to catch the 'Baddie' the motor would cut out and the screen would go black.  Sometimes repairs would take half an hour.  Occasionally, the motor would refuse to start at all and patrons would have to come back the next Saturday to see the finish of the picture.

With the coming of the motor car and the building of picture theatres in larger towns, the old travelling picture shows just died out.

When Arthur Ray erected his brick butchers shop in York Street in 1912, he also added another building alongside.  This was opened as a cool drink, confectionery, small goods and fruit shop.  Meals at all hours were also served.  The proprietor was a gentleman of Greek nationality who came up from Coolamon.  The shop was immediately known as the 'Dago's'.  Theo Harrison, who was also Greek, took over a few years later.  At one stage the Cafe was operated by Bob Crane and his wife who had acquired an interest from the Winter Estate.  During the years following the war, the old Cafe had many tenants and was finally closed, then reopened in the old baker's shop which had now become vacant.

The small room on the eastern side of the Allies Cafe was used by Arthur 'Crikey' Herman as a boot repair shop.  'Crikey' Herman was in business during most of the depression years and during the early stages of World War 2. Ill health finally forced him to sell the business.  His successor was a war refugee from Europe but the business faded when 'Crikey' Herman left and was soon closed.

When Theo Harrison moved from the shop next to Ray's Butchery, a lady named Mrs Sweeney took the place over as a boarding house and it operated for many years.  Later occupants were the Russell Family who operated as skin buyers and rabbit trappers.

Slattery's of Wagga opened a cash and carry grocery store in the old building during the 1930's, but after several robberies in quick succession soon closed their business.

On the western side of Mrs. Sweeney's was a small corrugated iron shed.  This was used by Bill Keough for oxy welding jobs and anyone wanting a painting job done on a sulky or motor car could also be accommodated.  A big old almond tree marks the spot where Keough's building once stood.

East of the Pioneer Store was another pise house referred to as the fettlers house.  This building did not stand up like the other pise homes and after a few years was demolished.  The old underground tank, still visible, was part of the building.