Listen closely as we delve into Powelltown’s rich past. Powelltown, a name synonymous with timber and tramways, holds a captivating story. The first chapter of Powelltown began around 1901. H Blake established Blake’s Mill marking the start of the town’s timber history. Later, the Victorian Powell Wood Processing Company built a larger mill in 1913. Their goal was to harvest mountain ash from the Little Yarra Valley. Government contracts fueled this enterprise.
Imagine the scene. Renowned axemen like Shane Corr carved into the forests with axes and bullocks. They supplied timber to meet government demands. A tramway system was built to transport logs to sawmills. From there the timber moved to railheads at Yarra Junction and Warburton. The Post Office opened around 1904 known as Blake’s. In 1912 the settlement was renamed Powelltown marking a new era.
Now picture this. The Powelltown Tramway began operation. Between 1913 and 1945 it transported both passengers and goods to Yarra Junction. It played a vital role in Powelltown’s development. The Victorian Powell Wood Process Company aimed to revolutionise timber preservation. Their method involved molasses and chemicals. They leased forests in the Upper Yarra Ranges and built a narrow-gauge railway. This railway linked Yarra Junction to the emerging town of Powelltown. The “Powell processing” method turned out to be unsuccessful. A new company reverted to untreated timber.
Powelltown became a company town. It included housing, a boarding house, and a mess room. By 1914, a general store, hall, and billiards room were established. Children attended school in nearby Gilderoy. Community life flourished. An Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge and a public hall opened in 1917. The 1920s saw churches and sporting facilities added. A local football league was founded. The company built a State primary school in 1919. The school, however, closed in 1993.
The late 1920s and 1930s brought challenges. A timber workers dispute and a decline in timber cutting impacted the town. The devastating Black Friday bushfire in 1939 caused widespread destruction. Powelltown however survived relatively unscathed. Wartime timber demand kept Powelltown alive. The road from Yarra Junction was improved. The railway was dismantled in 1945.
By the mid-1950s saw logs became scarce. Fire destroyed the main mill in 1976. A smaller mill replaced it employing fewer workers. Today Powelltown has a football club, sawmill, and a government forests office. You’ll also find a general store, Presbyterian church, public hall, and recreation reserve.
Did you know Powelltown was nearly named after a timber preservation method? William Powell’s process used molasses to treat wood making it stronger. The Victorian Powell Wood Process Limited was established in 1912. They built a sawmill and processing works. They even constructed a tramway to Yarra Junction. The company secured a contract to supply Powellised sleepers. The contract was cancelled due to quality issues. The company folded in 1915.
Today, Powelltown offers more than just timber history. Explore the walking trails and driving routes. Many trails follow old tramways offering a glimpse into the past. The Powelltown Tramway Rail Trail is a popular choice. Take a moment to appreciate the resilience and spirit of Powelltown. It is a town forged in timber and transformed by time.