McLeish's Store

Statement of Significance

This shop is significant as an elaborate corrugated iron structure built at a time when corrugated iron as a building material was used mainly for worker's cottages and self-built houses. This is one of the last corrugated iron structures in Bayswater and certainly the largest.

It is also a relic of the time when the storekeeper's family and staff lived on the premises, as indicated by the row of bedrooms upstairs.

The store was a landmark in the development of the Bayswater business district on the south side of the railway line from 1905 onwards. Previously, commercial premises, including McLeish's first and more modest shop, had been to the north of the line. Robert McLeish, who built the store, was a community leader in Bayswater from just after the turn of the century well into the 1930s. He built stores in Mt Lawley and also Kellerberrin but, his prominence was limited to Bayswater, as tended to be the case at a time when communities were largely self sufficient.

The store has townscape value, as it is a centrepiece of the old Bayswater business district and thus vital to the townscape.

Along with other stores, the King William Liquor Store is evidence of the old style of commercial architecture and therefore a research and education resource for architectural historians.

Finally, the advent of substantial stores like the King William Liquor Store was evidence of the development of the Bayswater settlement beyond a pioneer community and can be seen as part of the trend exemplified by the Drill Hall, brick churches and additions to the school, all of which occurred around this time. It demonstrates early suburban growth, especially in a semi-rural context, as McLeish's ran a grain and feed store on the premises as well as a butcher and grocery store. Later, the grain store was moved to new premises across King William Street.

Physical Description

This large two-storey timber framed building is clad throughout with a corrugated iron hip roof without the eaves overhang. A ground floor contains commercial premises facing onto King William Street with cast iron facings and modernised shop windows under a tied cantilever canopy. The upper floor containing residential type accommodation features large double hung wooden sash windows between a pair of doors opening onto the canopy. All these openings have louvred wooden shutters which are probably a recent addition.

History

This building is one of the most significant remaining in Bayswater. It was the first major commercial building to be constructed to the south of the railway line and in that sense was the pioneer of the present shopping centre. It is idiosyncratic in being built of corrugated iron, usually associated with modest houses, rather than shops. This was the time when Bayswater was in a state of transition from the corrugated iron phase to brick shops and public buildings and so the store is also one of the few survivors of that early building style.

However, it was one of several larger structures from the period 1905-1908 which was something of a building boom in the district.

The association of the store with Robert McLeish is also important. The McLeish family were of South Australian origin and originally built a store on the north of the line. This was the first butcher shop in Bayswater which also sold vegetables. When it was burnt down the more substantial store in King William Street was constructed and was run by the whole family, with several staff who lived upstairs.

Robert McLeish was a particularly significant individual in Bayswater history. He did not sit on the Roads Board, considering that business and politics did not mix. He was, however, a powerful force in the community, galvanising and channelling public opinion. He was described as "the power behind the Board" and was also the Chairman of the Businessmen's Association in the 1920s. Unlike many local people who "made good", he built a large house in Bayswater and continued to participate in local events as did his children.

In later years the store was well known as the home of Wright's Grocery Store.

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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.