Circa 1909
This photograph is from the State Library collection and was sourced by Lani Smith. William Straede and his brother Carl were pioneer miners of the Castlemaine district who belonged to a party of miners who made their fortune at Lady Gully. On the 8th June 1872 the brothers opened a large drapery business in Castlemaine’s Market Square. Their business was located on the north east corner of Mostyn Street and Frederick Streets, next to the Goldsmith’s Hotel and it was described as one of the most respected businesses in the town. William Straede died in 1909 but the business continued until it was sold in 1915 to a Mr. S. Newman and the shop continued under new management. This photograph was taken in 1909-1910, about the time of Mr. Straede’s death. This photograph shows the business at the time with the former Goldsmith Hotel on the extreme right.
2022
The site on the corner of Mostyn and Frederick Streets has now been occupied by the Bendigo Bank for many years. The structure of the building has remained the same since the late 1800s with the exception now of a new coat of paint. Previously, the corner site was occupied by the Benstead family who conducted a music and record shop in the latter part of the twentieth century, and earlier in 1960s and early 1970s, the Pedler conducted a similar business selling records, pianos, radios, stationery and gifts. Photo and historical details courtesy Ken McKimmie.