Draft:Hart, Hitchcock and Co
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Industry | retail and wholesale timber |
---|---|
Founded | Parramatta NSW located in Western Sydney Sydney, Australia |
Headquarters | Darcy Road, Wentworthville or today considered Westmead. , |
Number of locations | 1 |
Area served | NSW, Australia |
Key people | William Hart (Senior) |
Products | timber |
This company began as Hart & Sons, founded by Mr William Hart (Senior) in 1887[1].
The business is of significance to the history and development of Australia, especially in the Western Sydney region. Many local and historic buildings[2] were built from the timbers sold facilitating the growth and progress of the Western Sydney Parramatta region.
The Parramatta Library has historical photos of both the business premises in Darcy Road (at the time considered to be at “Parramatta” (now most probably would be considered part of Westmead), and also their operations at Rose Hill Wharf[3].
Business History
The business was founded on Dharug country. At the time of founding there was still considerable amounts of area for the traditional custodians of the land to find food and the clan generally lived along the waterways[4]. The expansion of the Colony West, where the business was located, would later put pressure on the traditional peoples[5].
Mr William Hart (Senior), arrived in Australia at the age of 24 from England. After settling in the region of Parramatta, he became a well respected builder[6].
Mr William Hart (Senior), formed a successful business partnership with Jabez Lavor[2][6]. This historic business has been credited with constructing a number of well know buildings such as the Wesley Church or also known as the Leigh Memorial Methodist Church, Parramatta[6]. This Church was the largest and most expensive construction in the State.
Mr William Hart’s grandson (from his son William Hart (Junior)) was William Ewart Hart. This famous Australian aviator grew up in the Parramatta region and was also a Methodist. Most probably, William Ewart Hart would have visited the Church that his grandfather helped or facilitated in constructing[2].
The historic family residence of William Hart (Junior) which he named “Castrella” was built in 1888. Castrella has timber floors throughout, both upstairs, downstairs, including the construction of a wooden stairwell and outside verandah. These timbers were most probably sourced from the local Parramatta / Westmead / Wentworthville area, via the Hart & Sons business. Castrella is heritage listed for its cultural, historical and architectural significance[7] and can still be seen by passerby’s on Wentworth Avenue or by looking outside the train-window to the left, when travelling East towards Sydney between Pendle Hill and Wentworthville train stations.
The Great Depression and afterwards
In 1894, during the height of the Great Depression, the firm of Hart and Sons ceased trading[1][6].
George Folkard had joined Hart and Sons as an office clerk and worked hard to become the General Manager and part owner[8]. The founder of the business William Hart, passed away in 1910 at the age of 80 years old. The following year there were some changes[6].
Parallel to these developments and following the Great Depression, the local businessman Hitchcock sold his share of his family business to his son William Hitchcock and George Folkard in 1911[6].
The business was later reborn as Hart, Hitchcock and Co[1].
William Hart (Junior), son of the original Hart & Sons founder (Mr William Hart), joined forces with William Williams Hitchcock in forming this new company[6].
The business address was Darcy Road, close to where the Hart family lived and they became one of most well known timber merchants in the Parramatta area during that time[6].
References
- ^ a b c "Mr. W. Hart, Sen". Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate. 1920-03-27. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ a b c "THE LATE MR. WILLIAM HART". Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate. 1910-03-09. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Hart and Sons, saw and joinery works, Parramatta, two views of Darcy Street premises and one of their operations at Rose Hill Wharf, from a sketch, ca. 1890s - 1900s". Parramatta History and Heritage Collection Online. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Old Toongabbie and Toongabbie - A Brief History | Parramatta History and Heritage". historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Dharug and Dharawal Resources". dharug.dalang.com.au. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Hart, Hitchcock and Co. Timber Merchants, Darcy Street, Parramatta | Parramatta History and Heritage". historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Welcome to Heritage". www.heritage.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "FROM OFFICE-BOY TO HEAD". Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate. 1938-07-20. Retrieved 2024-04-10.