Circa late 1800s:
This sketch of the Barkla – Jeweller & Watchmaker, Market Square, Castlemaine was kindly supplied to us by our friends at the Castlemaine Historical Society – Exploring Our Past.
Charles Barkla’s Jeweller’s shop was situated where Beehave is now located and so over 100 years later, jewellery is still being sold from these premises. Over the years, this building, CHSI believe, has been variously used as a bookseller, boot dealer, tobacconist, grocer and stationer, as well as a jeweller.
We don’t know much about Charles other than that he died in 1901. He was quite philanthropic, donating prizes to the Thompson & Co’s Castlemaine Foundry Annual Picnic held in Elphinstone in the first week of March each year. A special train left Castlemaine at 8.50am and returned from Elphinstone at 7pm. Fares Adults – 1s 3d. Children under 15 – 6d.
There was an amazing array of races with the prizes donated by various businesses in the town. In 1893, C. Barkla donated a gold brooch, in 1894, a ladies handbag and in 1896, a clock valued at 30s. On New Year’s Day, 1889, a devastating flood occurred in Castlemaine and surrounds, creating widespread damage and destroying bridges, ruining houses and the furniture within and the water was up to the top of the bar at Coopey’s Railway Hotel.
Due to so many cases of hardship and destitution, the Town Clerk called a public meeting with the aim of providing practical and monetary assistance. C. Barkla donated 1Pd 1s to this cause.
2022:
Today the former Barkla – Jeweller & Watchmaker Store is home to Beehave. Beehave proprietor Robyn Hansford has been at the helm of the popular local ladies fashion, footwear and accessories store for around 14 years now.
Prior to that she was a staff member of the store which has been operating since the year 2000. Beehave stock a beautiful range of shoes and boots, clothing and scarves. Some of their popular footwear brands include Django and Juliette, Sala, Zeta and Top End.
They also have a gorgeous array of handbags including Cosgrove and Beasley and Modapelle. Beehave also have a massive array of earrings and accessories to suit all styles and tastes.
