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1880
2 October 1880
30 October 1880
1892
28 May 1892
1896
1921
1920s
Church Street during the 1920s and 1930s presented a rather different appearance from what it is today on the western side of the street, beginning from the Gladstone Street intersection were Wenham's Corner Store; Mrs Edwards (dressmaker); Jack Workman's Saleyards (where the present Motel Central is situated); and then George Campbell's blacksmith shop on the site of the present Caltex garage. George was an engineer. On the northern side and still standing is the old Nellthorpe two-story terrace. This was conducted as a boarding house for quite a number of years, one proprietor being Mrs. Smith. The Open Air Theatre was next door - very popular in dry summer weather - then came Theol's Fruit Shop, Leslie's Garage (earlier location the Beehives store building now Video Ezy), Milton's Wireless and Electrical Service, the Friendly Society Pharmacy (still in operation), and Rhodes Furniture Store.
Across Mortimer Street Frank Codner had a store and car-hire service prior to George Moufarrige's first shop on the site that is presently occupied by Michael Coates Photography. Jack Waller’s Barbershop was on the northern side, then Ernest Parson’s Cycle Agency, Bocko's Royal Cafe with upstairs billiard rooms, the Criterion Theatre (now KFC and earlier Loneragan’s Furniture Department, Smith's Confectionery and Drinks, Everett's hardware (which was destroyed by fire during the 1920s) and Andrews’ White Rose Cafe on this site, later to become Prineaus Hollywood Cafe. Meuller’s Jewelry was to be found on the northern side of the cafe, and then came Perram's Cycle Agency - numerous bicycles around town then - Bill Lowe, a dentist (not always remembered with affection), Jack Farthing’s Saddlery, together with Stan Searle's refreshment rooms. C Rayner had a barbershop next - many beards to be trimmed regularly - Reeves Moneysavers Store and then Williamson's Bakery (later Mason's) next to the laneway to what is now Byron Place.
Across the lane was Reinberger's Butchery (later Leckie's Store), Kratchenburg's Watch repairs, Hill Brothers, Manchester - destroyed by fire - and then the site used by Thompson for a fish and chip shop. Stan Gudgeon's Sports Store occupied the next site for many years, and then Whitford's Menswear and Norberry Brothers Barbers, next to the cafe conducted by the Matis family. Lester's Pharmacy, now owned by Ern Gawthorne and earlier by Mercer, has always had a beautiful marble floor. Dunn and Co auctioneers and stock and station agents used to be on the site of Blowes Menswear, and then came Jack Wynn (another Barber) next to Dykes Newsagency with Tom Gallagher's Insurance upstairs.The Australian Bank of Commerce, now Westpac, occupied the old Exchange Corner site since early this century. During the 1920s, Marks, a dentist, and Abernathy, a surveyor, occupied the upstairs section5 .
If you turn around and head South, you will have the impressive view of St Mary's Church on the corner adjoining the Commonwealth Bank building. James Longrigan was a teamster in the early days of Mudgee and he commenced his business in 1870. His well designed store was constructed later and it became the focal point for generations of shoppers as an attractive and convenient place to purchase practically anything. Sam Mason’s Saddlery and harness premises used to be on the southern side together with Mara Brothers Stock and Station Agency.The building that now houses Westfund Insurance and earlier the Government Insurance Office was once Clem Lewis’ Clothing Store. Woolley’s Butchery is still renowned for prime meat and was known in earlier times as the Marble Butchery (the old slab is still in the window). The old Sydney Hotel, originally Lamont's store and owned for many years by the Woolley family, is still trading on the corner.
Across the street is the site of the old Miners Arms Hotel, later to be Fitzgerald's Boarding House. This building made way for the Hotel Mudgee, a picturesque building which only graced the site for about 30 years when it was demolished to make way for a service station (now the Shell Service Centre).On the southern side, Stan Gates had a second hand shop in the building later occupied by Wincombe & Carson and now a take away food shop. Fred Fittler was a plumber and tank merchant and an agent for Sky and Southern Cross Windmills and he had his workshop behind his house next to Reynolds Monumental Works originally the premises of Actons, the very attractive two-story house now occupied by Mrs. Lena Cox. Collyer’s Monumental Masons occupied the adjoining site for a number of years and nearby was Ern Wright's Photography, adjoining Rayner's Brothers Motorcycle Agency in the building now occupied by Hans and Silvia Enklaar of Headwear, a Leading Edge electronic shop.On the corner of Gladstone Streer was Jack Riddle's corner store6 .