Bentleigh History
A History Of Bentleigh And The Centre Rd Shops
The Early Settlement of Brighton East, now named Bentleigh
The first name given to the district now known as Bentleigh was Brighton East. A Post Office of that name was conducted by the Post master, the late Mr William Ward Snr. in Centre Road, near the present site of Robert Haye's Studio. Mr Ward's grandson, George William Ward, became Post Master on the death of his grandfather. The name of this office was later changed to East Brighton, and in the year 1906, to Bentleigh. (This was changed in honour of the late Sir Thomas Bent, who had firstly been a market gardener, then Rate Collector in the district, and later a Moorabbin councillor. Sir Thomas entered the Legislative Assembly, eventually becoming the Premier of Victoria.)
The first settlers planted many orchards which in those days were free of all pests, (including the Apple and the Pear Board!). Orchards extended down the north side of Centre Road to where the railway station is now located. Market gardening soon replaced the orchards however, and became the chief primary industry of the locality which prevails right up to the present day - 1950.
Little hotels were built at an early date, in the 1870s. Two were called the "Hit or Miss"; and "Live and Let Live"; they occupied the opposite corners of Centre and Jasper Roads. Such names would be very appropriate today at this busy intersection! These old wooden buildings were destroyed by fire.
In 1885 a steel tram track was laid along the Nepean Highway from St Kilda junction, with an extension along Centre Road, to Warrigal Road. Market gardeners' drays and later four-wheeled horse-drawn wagons, and lorries travelled along these "tram plates", three or more nights a week. Leaving for Melbourne at about midnight, they often disturbed the peaceful slumbers of residents of Centre Road by their "squealing brakes", for which disturbance they were sometimes fined at the local court.
On their return journeys the market gardeners' carts would be loaded up with manure to fertilize their gardens. It is also worth noting that the steel tram plates were also used by the malodorous, iron, night-soil carts, bringing their loads from Melbourne and surrounds, for burial in out-lying areas.
A racecourse occupied the site now known as the Bentleigh Recreation Reserve whose turf saw many an exciting finish between local and neighbouring districts favourites, in the early days of sporting fixtures in this district. Amongst the spectators the aboriginals known as Jimmy and Nancy, were often to be seen, sometimes accompanied by members of the Mordialloc tribe, and always accompanied by hordes of dogs.
Places of business were opened, as well as hotels. One of the earliest established was that of Mr J.L. Smith, who commenced business, at the corner of Centre and Jasper Roads, as a fire wood merchant in 1890, during a severe depression. The shed was first leased then bought from Mr Box. J L brought logs of wood down from the country and sawed them into shorter lengths by means of a "horse-works", (one horse-power).
This business was soon extended to a "fuel & fodder" trade, and later a chaff-cutting mill was installed powered by a steam engine, (fifteen horse-power) when a grain crushing plant was added. Passers-by would often comment on the "lovely aroma of porridge" emanating from the steamed oats. In those early days, it was not unusual to have 15 carts of hay lined up, waiting to be milled. They had travelled from as far away as Cheltenham.
With extension of the electricity mains to the Bentleigh area in the year 1916, an electric motor was installed, (20 horse power). The fuel and fodder trade continued until conditions changed in the 1930s, and it was finally demolished in 1941.
With the advancement of motor transport, J.L.Smith's Bentleigh Service Station was opened in 1926, and extensive building additions were made later to accommodate the present Bentleigh Service Station, a Weigh bridge, and Furniture Storage Department. (Located where Safeway Store stands today at the corner of Centre, and Jasper Roads, Bentleigh)
The late Mr J L Smith was elected in 1909 to the Moorabbin Shire Council, (which then included the cities if Sandringham & Mordialloc), to occupy the seat made vacant by the death of Sir Thomas Bent in that year. He was elected President in 1914 when World War I required much organisation and activities of local auxiliaries.
Other businesses established in the early years of Brighton East, (now Bentleigh), were Cormick's Bakery, Miss Box's General Store located near Tucker Road, and the Boundary Hotel.
A mention should be made that Fred Porter, (a bachelor), who described his business as a "Licensed Dealer", inherited the Boundary Hotel from his sister, Miss Mary Jane Porter. In turn, Fred then left the bulk of his considerable estate, $94,792 in 1961, for the establishment of a community hospital in East Bentleigh. Years later, after overcoming political ineffectiveness, and raising public awareness, the Moorabbin Hospital, (now a Monash Campus), was eventually built in East Bentleigh in the 1970s.
In the early 1900s, the only shop near the Bentleigh Railway Station, (known as Brighton East Station prior to 1907), was Miss Mavis Bullow's small, wooden shop. Miss Bullow conducted an "Emporium" that sold everything from drapery to fireworks, and from lemonade, to goat's milk and soda. It was in this small wooden building that the E S &A Bank, (in 1922), opened its first agency away from the Glenhuntly Branch. The rapidly increasing business of the district soon required the fine premises now occupied by its Bentleigh Branch. (NOTE: Although the ES&A Bank has "long gone", this rather pretty building can still be seen today in 2006).
The many market gardeners located throughout Bentleigh, and East Bentleigh, also made very significant contributions to both the prosperity, religious, and social fabric of the tight-knit community. In 1889 Brighton East, (now Bentleigh), was connected to a 3" pipe to the Yan Yean Reservoir, which largely relieved summer water shortages.
The first school in Bentleigh, (East Brighton), was St Stephen's Common School in Tucker Road, opened in 1852, on a site north of Centre Road, East Bentleigh - Thomas Penny was Head Teacher. The school was held in a leased building in Tucker Road and this was administered by the Church of England, Melbourne Diocese. The Common School closed on 31st July 1878, and on 1st August 1878 the Brighton East State School, No. 2083, was opened. It was situated on Centre Road, close to the corner of Tucker Road. By 1884, one hundred and ninety-one children were in attendance. The school was later re-named East Bentleigh State School. A petrol station, and houses are now on the re-developed school site. Of interest is the fact that the original bell which called the children to St Stephen's Common School in those early days, now sounds its call to the Anglican fraternity of Bentleigh East from the belfry of St John's Church of England on the corner of Tucker and Centre Roads, East Bentleigh.
The first bakery was established by, Mr Geary at the corner of Centre & Tucker Roads, opposite St John's Church, adjoining a shop which is now the Bentleigh East Post Office. (Now in 2006 this quaint building remains as doctor' s rooms)
A Methodist Mission to Chinese Market Gardeners, in Lydia Street, East Bentleigh, was commenced early in the 20th century, and continued for many years. The building was later removed. The Annual Free Tea Meetings given by the Chinese students to their teachers and friends were a memorable feature of those halcyon days.
The East Bentleigh Public Hall was built in 1896, and has been the scene of almost every phase of the progressive life of Bentleigh. Within its walls the "Welcome Home" from the Boer War in 1902 to Lance Corporal Thomas Matson, (later Colonel, then Doctor T Matson), was held. Many elections, anniversaries, sales, wedding receptions, the first demonstration of wireless broadcasting, school concerts, early "lantern" lectures, early moving pictures, (accompanied by appropriate piano music), the Annual Lamington Ball etc. etc. have since enlivened its precincts. If building restrictions continue it appears likely that this hall will be the only Public Hall in Bentleigh for many years to come.
This history of Bentleigh was provided by the City of Moorabbin Historical Society
Victor Cyril Smith - Born 3rd October 1896~Died 24th July 1974
Vic was the fourth child of John Logan, and Mary Anne Smith, pioneers of Bentleigh. The above extract is largely taken from a hand-written article about Bentleigh's Early History, that Vic wrote for the Moorabbin News, Jubilee Issue, March 25th 1950. It also includes later comments from Harry Smith, (Vic's younger brother), Born 1899 - Died 1988
The Society meets at 1.00 pm on the last Sunday of each month from February to November at Box Cottage, Joyce Park Ormond. The Cottage and its historical exhibits are open to the public from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm following each meeting.
For further information contact Jamie Hyams on 9578 9131 or 0412 915 410
