Mazza's Store

Statement of Significance

The place is representative of similarly constructed and architecturally improvised structures built to accommodate the town's services. The place is a component of a nationally significant townsite which represents the historical development of the Australian goldfields and associated social conditions. The place is historically significant for its relationship with mining operations that took place at Gwalia between 1898-1963, one of the most productive gold mines outside Kalgoorlie.

Physical Description

Mazza's Store is a multiple-gabled structure. The shopfront extends the length of the street facade. The shopfront regains many of the glazed window panes (some now covered with sheet metal) and sheet metal cladding with painted signs below window sill height. A verandah with a lean-to roof protects die full length of the shopfront facade. The building retains timber awnings at the rear.
The timber floor is raised and the interior walls are lined with ripple iron. There is a lean-to addition at the rear, also timber framed and clad in cgi. The layout of the shops and their configuration, with recessed entrances, is still evident. '
The place has undergone repair since 19S5, including the reconstruction of the front wall and the fixing of loose wall sheets and roof cladding.
The place requires further stabilising and repair. A timber framed shed at the rear of the store, as recorded in the 1985 survey, has been demolished.

History

The building was originally located at Laverton and was moved around 1910 to the 'Gwalia Block', an area located south of the mine which was gazetted as. a business site. The store was initially operated on the 'Block' by J.A. Wilson & Co. which sold it to Larry R Crampton, who later sold it to Mr Burt Rowe.
When Mr Victor Mazza and his family bought the store in 1949 all that remained at the Gwalia Block, once a thriving business centre which had peaked between 1920 and 1923, was the barber shop and the general store. After trading on the former site for eight years, Mazza's Store was moved by jinker to its present location, where it continued to trade until its closure in 1964. For more than 50 years the store had provided nearly all the town's supplies.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High
AUTHENTICITY: Moderate

Condition

Poor to Very Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.