A photograph of Dan Moore's garage on South Rd, Warragul c1919.
The garage was located at the current site of the Warragul Exhibition Hall on what is now known as Howitt St.
With the Warragul Exhibition Hall set to be demolished due to structural damage, the Warragul and District Historical Society is looking back on its history.
The Warragul and West Gippsland Agricultural Society obtained use of the Crown land on the March 19, 1885.
In 1895, the 14 acres of land was put up for sale, via auction, and was purchased by the society for £1200.
The West Gippsland Gazette reported on October 11, 1919 that the agricultural society would run bazaars to raise money to erect a shed for exhibitions. They aimed to raise £1500.
According to "The Path of Progress" by Hugh Copeland, the opportunity arose for the Warragul and West Gippsland Agricultural Society to acquire Dan Moore's property in 1919. Mr Moore had previously taken over his father's blacksmith business and, with more cars and trucks appearing on local streets after World War I, transformed it into a garage.
The purchase of the property, including his cottage and extensive buildings used as a motor garage and a blacksmith, cost £1000.
Mr Moore relocated his business to Queen St, Warragul.
The society gained a frontage and entrance to the showgrounds from Howitt St. The cottage was used as the residence for the caretaker of the showgrounds and the society planned for other buildings to also be used.
Financial problems resulted in the society selling the property to the Warragul Shire Council in 1928. Under the agreement, the shire received all assets and took over liabilities of the society.
Part two of the Warragul Exhibition Hall history will appear in next week's Gazette.
Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul and District Historical Society.