By Heather Wade and Kerry Davis, 2024.
Photo of the vacant block, taken March 2022, the former site of a prominent two-storey building built for Mrs A J Markham in 1927.
Owner, Mrs Lilian Markham was the wife of Captain Alfred John Markham, who in his early days was a member of the British Armed Forces, serving in the Boer War before retiring, then coming to Western Australia to join his brother, a mining engineer in the goldfields. He made some lucky finds near Southern Cross before setting off to Peru with his brother. Alfred returned to WA, where by chance he met the Curator of the Perth Museum, Bernard Woodward, who invited him to visit his newly established orange orchard in Harvey. Alfred was so taken with the potential of the district that he decided to stay.[1] In 1913 he set off to the Eastern States with the intention of persuading his new wife to come to Harvey.[2] [See more of AJ Markham’s story on this website.]
A.J. Markham was always known to his intimate friends as Captain or Cappie. For years he had an orchard in Third Street where he grew the best pears in the district. He was a staunch supporter of the citrus and agricultural societies. When he retired he built a house next to the War Memorial Library in Young Street, which was sold to the Roman Catholic Church, when he went to live in Bunbury. Mrs. Markham was an active member of the Church of England. The first two-storey building in Hayward Street was built for Mrs. Markham. It housed Harvey’s first chemist shop, and a woman’s hairdressing salon.[3]
1927 – Adjoining Mr. Eastaugh’s is a vacant block belonging to Mrs. Markham. Mrs. Markham has just had this cleared and has had plans prepared, and is building a two storied commodious business place upon it. It is understood that the work of building will be commenced very shortly.[4]
By September it was reported that the building had been completed:
The pair of two-storey shops erected in Hayward Street for Mrs Markham have now been completed. The shop fronts have a very pleasing appearance having been finished with plate glass windows and antique frames. The outside of the completed building lacks architectural beauty however.[5]
A sketch from a 1930s photo. JC MacGregor, Chemist on the left hand side and The Harvey Drapery on the right.
A prominent feature of the Harvey townscape for ninety years, the building was demolished in 2017. During that period there have been a number of tenants and owners, reflecting the changing retail patterns of the times.
LEFT-HAND SIDE i.e. No. 23.
1929 – Mrs Markham’s two-storey building housed Harvey’s first chemist, John Charles MacGregor, who had moved from Geraldton to Harvey by August 1929.[6]
A shocking family tragedy occurred on the premises in 1929:
POISON BY MISTAKE. CHEMIST’S WIFE’S DEATH. Perth. Aug. 25.
Fremantle police headquarters were advised yesterday that Wednesday evening Mrs Marian May MacGregor, wife of John MacGregor, a chemist of Harvey, went into the pharmacy for the purpose of taking some medicine to relieve heart trouble from which she suffered. On coming out she told her husband she had taken poison by mistake. Two doctors were summoned, but she died in 40 minutes. MacGregor could not account for his wife’s mistake, as the bottles were kept on separate shelves and were distinctly labelled. An inquiry will be held.[7]
1932 – In July 1932 Mr MacGregor sold his business:
Modern Chemists Messrs. Thomas & Co. Chemists OF BUNBURY announce having purchased the business of Mr. J. C. MacGregor, of Harvey. They will in future conduct a Modern Dispensary and carry Full Stocks of Patent Medicines, Toilet Goods, Kodak Supplies and Chemicals. Thomas & Co. — CHEMISTS — Bunbury and Harvey.[8]
Thomas & Co remained there until at least September 1934.[9]
Prior to 1944 Mr Spurge had carried on business on the southern (left) side.[10]
1945 to 1965/1967 – JC Malone Men’s and Boyswear was first advertised in October 1945. The Malones built a modern shop next door and remained in business until the early eighties. [See ‘John Charles and Dorothea Mavis Malone of Harvey’ story on this website.]
Late 1960s to early 1970s – Mary Morgan ran a bakehouse/cake shop.
1980s – Harvey Vegie Market.
Unknown date – Wendy’s Touch, a florist shop – Wendy Figliomeni was the proprietor.[11]
By 2011 – Indian Clothing, initially called ‘Two Tribes’, the proprietor was Bridget McPherson.
RIGHT-HAND SIDE i.e. No. 25
1928 – The Harvey Drapery was trading by February 1928 when an advertisement was placed for a ‘LADY Help Wanted, experienced, capable taking charge for business people. The Harvey Drapery, Harvey, S.W.R.’[12]
1931 – Miss EM Wells, formerly of Kellerberrin, was the proprietress of the Harvey Drapery. She specialised in ladies and children’s wear and was agent for Musgrove’s Records, Sheet Music and all Musical Requirements.[13] On 29 December 1932 Miss Wells moved from Hayward Street to new premises adjoining Lowe’s Harvey Stores in Uduc Road, under the new business name of ‘The Ladies’ Outfitter’. Mrs Markham then advertised that the shop and dwelling above in Hayward Street were available for lease.[14] Miss Wells left Harvey by April 1935 to take up a position in the drapery department of the Mount Barker Stores.[15]
By 1944 – Arthur Spurge was using No. 25 as the local office for the Harvey-Waroona Mail but he had originally occupied No. 23.[16]
Shops on Hayward Street, pre-1957, from left to right
Building 1 – National Bank of Australasia Manager’s House;
Building 2 – W Mincham’s blacksmithing business;
Building 3 – two-storey building with a pair of shops at street level housing JC Malone Men’s & Boys’ Wear and Josephine’s Ladies’ Hairdressing Salon;
Building 4 – KW Pritchard, dentist.
Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.
Josephine Hairdressing and Toilet Salon
In January 1940 Miss Jean O’Donohue (Donohue) of Perth advertised in the Harvey Murray Times that she was taking over the Josephine Hairdressing and Toilet Salon. She remained there until October 1943, when the West Australian advertised the premises available for sale or lease (long or short term) with an average profit of £12 per week.
In August 1944 Miss MG Scott bought the building housing the hairdressing business:
As advertised in another column, the Josephine Ladies’ Hairdressing Salon, Hayward Street, Harvey, which has for many years been owned by Mrs L. M. Markham has changed hands. Miss M. G. Scott, of Perth, recently purchased the business and in future the Salon will be under her sole control. Miss Scott is experienced in all classes of ladies’ hairdressing, holds a Technical School Diploma and is a member of the Master Ladies’ Hairdressing Association.[17]
In 1946 Jean Martin had left Bridgetown and was now in charge of Josephine’s Hairdressing Toilet Salon at Harvey.[18]
In 1949 Miss Nesley Vicary of Josephine’s Hairdressing Salon was spending a fortnight’s holiday in Kalgoorlie.[19]
In March 1952, Mr A Vicary advised that he would be taking over Josephine’s Hairdressing Salon on 31 March, but appointments should be booked through Miss Nesley Vicary.[20]
The 1961 Harvey Show Schedule showed Josephine’s Salon was owned by Joy Dodermaide and the 1972 Schedule showed Hair Stylist, Mia Donnas, there.
1946 advertisement for Josephine’s.
1970 – Home Building Society[21]
Mid 1970s for about 5 years – Snuff’s Nook, dress shop. Mrs Ray was the proprietress and Snuff was the name of her Shetland pony.
1987 – Harvey Reporter Office. According to the 1987 WA Telephone Book the Office was at 23 Hayward Street but by 27 April 1993 it was at 77 Uduc Road.
1997 – Settlement Agency – Ray Kershaw.
By 2011 – Just Random – gifts
By 2015 – Passion 4 Fashion Boutique
Unknown date – Bali Clothing, proprietor Danielle Triscari.
Harvey Vegie Market and Harvey Reporter office, photo courtesy of State Library of Western Australia. [22]
Verandahs removed, ‘Indian Clothing’ and ‘Just Random’ occupied the premises in 2011.
Mrs Markham’s advertisements – unknown which side.
1933 – TO LET, at Harvey, Shop and Dwelling, or would divide into two offices, let dwelling separately. Apply Markham, Harvey.[23]
1936 – TO LET, Shop or Office, and Two-storey dwelling. Rent 30/- for lease or will divide. Apply Mrs. Markham, Harvey.[24]
– AT Harvey, Double-fronted Shop and Dwelling, for lease, 30/. Apply L. Markham, Harvey.[25]
1937 – HAIRDRESSERS AND DRESSMAKERS. SHOP TO LET AT HARVEY. Fitted to Suit Above. Has been occupied 4 years by Lady Hairdresser and Dressmaker. No Living Accommodation. Rent 18/-. Hairdressing Salon partly equipped. Apply L. MARKHAM. Harvey.[26]
AT Harvey: Up-to-date Shop and Dwelling. opp. railway station. Cheap rental. Apply L. Markham, Harvey.[27]
The following businesses were conducted in the building, but it is unknown which side.
1935 – SUIT CLUB Become a member of our Suit Club. Buy a suit the easy way, For particulars— M. BANKS, TAILOR, MARKHAM’S BUILDINGS.[28]
1936 – Miss F Stacey of Waroona announced that a Ladies Hairdressing Salon would be opened on Monday at Markham’s Building. All Classes Beauty Culture.[29]
1937 – A JUMBLE Sale will be held in Markham’s Buildings on Friday, August 20, at 8 p.m. in aid of Church of England Guild.[30]
November 1937 to October 1938 – After the fire in November 1937, the Bank of NSW used the premises until their own new premises were ready for occupation.
May 1944 to December 1945. A Prisoner of War (POW) Shop was run by the Red Cross to raise funds. In March 1946 the Red Cross Shop moved to the CWA Rooms.[31] The venture was run in one of Mrs Markham’s shops and was very successful –
WOMAN’S REALM – HARVEY P.O.W. SHOP. £1,000 in 16 Days.
In 16 trading days the Harvey Red Cross POW shop has raised more than £1,000, with an average taking of £67/17/6 per day. The shop, which is managed by certain members of the Harvey branch of the Red Cross Society, many of whose husbands are prisoners of war, opens on alternate Thursdays. Some weeks ago the managing committee announced its intention of trying to exceed the £1,000 mark before the end of the year, and attained their objective, with a trading day to spare. On November 30 takings were a record for any one day, amounting to more than £100 gross with a profit of £99/10/. Total expenses since the shop was established in May have amounted to only £34.[32]
Harvey Red Cross Shop NET PROFIT £2,131. The Committee of the Red Cross Shop wish to express to the public of Harvey their appreciation of the support and general assistance given since the venture commenced in May, 1944. The takings of the final shop conducted by the committee on December 13 last brought the grand total of funds raised for Red Cross Prisoner of War and general purposes to £2,131/8/5 net. The shop was by no means an individual effort. Because it had the solid backing of the people of Harvey as a whole it was an unqualified success. In a community job of this nature, it would be invidious to single out individuals for especial thanks, and the Committee makes no effort to do this. Harvey can take pride in having tackled this funds raising job with such enthusiasm and with having achieved such a result. Its reward is the satisfying knowledge of having done a job worth doing and of doing it well.[33]
1945 – The Red Cross Shop [probably on right-hand side as JC Malone was on the left by October 1945.]
2017 – Demolished.
The building being demolished in June 2017. Photo taken by Rike Offer, Harvey History Online Facebook
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[1] ‘Know Your Neighbour’, Harvey Murray Times, 24 December 1948, p. 5.
[2] Bunbury Herald, 26 July 1913, p. 1.
[3] Harvey-Waroona Mail, 27 January 1956, p. 3.
[4] Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express, 11 May 1927, p. 4.
[5] South Western Times, 24 September, 1927, p. 5.
[6] Harvey – Waroona Mail, 27 January 1956, p. 3
[7] Western Argus, 27 August 1929, p. 16.
[8] Harvey Murray Times, 8 July 1932, p. 2.
[9] Bunbury Monitor, 28 September 1934, p. 3.
[10] Harvey Murray Times, 9 November 1944, p. 8.
[11] Kevin Figliomeni, Harvey History Online Facebook
[12] West Australian, 7 February 1928, p. 16.
[13] Harvey Murray Times, 25 September 1931, p. 2.
[14] Harvey Murray Times, 23 December 1932, p. 2.
[15] Southern Sentinel, Mount Barker, 19 April 1935, p. 8.
[16] Harvey Murray Times, 9 November 1944, p. 8.
[17] The Harvey-Waroona Mail, 31 August 1944, p. 1.
[18] Boyup Brook Bulletin, 15 Mar 1946, p. 12.
[19] Harvey Murray times, 26 August 1949, p. 12.
[20] Harvey Murray Times, 28 March 1952, p. 12.
[21] Anne Gardiner, Harvey History Online Facebook.
[22] Offices of the Harvey Reporter newspaper and the Harvey Vegie Market [picture] : 297821PD, part of the Russo collection of photographs, BA1130/400, State Library of Western Australia.
[23] South Western Times, 25 January 1933, p. 2.
[24] Harvey Murray Times, 3 April 1936, p. 2.
[25] West Australian, 2 September 1936, p. 12.
[26] West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 1.
[27] West Australian, 26 October 1937, p. 9.
[28] Harvey Murray Times, 16 August 1935. P. 2.
[29] Harvey Murray Times, 31 July 1936, p. 2.
[30] Harvey Murray Times, 20 August 1937, p. 2.
[31] Harvey Murray Times, 4 April 1946, p. 1.
[32] West Australian, 9 December 1944, p. 8.
[33] Harvey Murray Times, 17 January 1946, p. 7.