Snapshot of the past

A photograph of the shops on the corner of Main Street and Bank Place, Drouin in 1952.

The familiar silhouette of the State Savings Bank can be seen on the far left of the photo. Its roofline and chimneys still make it a landmark today.

Just up the street from this is a series of smaller stores including W. B. Monteath Chemists, Gilders Delicatessen/Milk Bar and Blue Gum Café.

Next up the hill is Drouin Motors with its distinctive gable roof shape and “Austin” written on the façade. At this time, Drouin Motors sold and distributed Austin motorcars to the many people who wanted to purchase a vehicle after World War II, hence the sign above the entrance.

They sold not just Austin cars but also the crates they came in.

The photograph also shows the petrol bowsers out the front of the business.

The corner stores are the building supplies and general hardware store owned by J. D.

Grubb. He also ran the undertaking business in Drouin from 1925 to 1947.

John Duncan Grubb and his wife Vera lived in a charming Victorian house at 7 Bank Place, on the corner of Young St, which can just be seen at the extreme right of the photo.

John (known as Jack) had purchased Faragher’s Timber and Undertaking Business in 1924 and began trading as J. D. Grubb Pty Ltd.

To the right of Grubbs, further down Bank Place, was the service and workshop facilities of Drouin Motors, with the advertising of Mobil Lubrication on the building. The old cars and bicycles give a glimpse into the era of the photo.

Photograph courtesy of the Drouin History Group and information courtesy Stories of Drouin, a cooperative oral history project between The Committee for Drouin, Drouin History Group and 3BBR FM to preserve local stories.

Stories of Drouin features various stories told about the businesses in Drouin. Visit storiesofdrouin.com.au to discover more.