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2008
15 June 2008
History 'unearthed' at site
Renovations at the new Property Shop have uncovered a cellar that offers a glimpse into the building’s history.
Local historians have believed the building, that dominates the corner of Market and Church Streets, was built in the 1860s.
However, recent construction work has revealed a single storey building may have been built before the two-storey building we see today.
It was known that a cellar existed underneath the building; however the condition it was in and the treasures it contained were a mystery.
The renovation process saw 16 tonnes of rubbish removed from the cellar.
A sump also had to be dug to remove the water.
Underneath the rubbish lay beautifully preserved brick pavers and slate walls.
Treasures such as an early ceramic pipe and stoppers for a demijohn were also found.
The building has been a garage since 1938.
Before that it was a hotel, an inn and a boarding house.
In the new auction room the original pavers from the stables and the washout bay for the horses were found.
To make sure this remarkable find isn’t buried underground again the cellar will become a feature of the new Property Shop office.
The cellar will be covered in glass and lit which means people will walk over it as they enter the office.
It is estimated the renovation will be finished in six weeks.
“I want it to be one of the best offices in country NSW,” Property Shop owner Hugh Bateman said1 .