The Shops

The Emerald shops started out in the goldfields in  tents in 1860.  They sold  picks, shovels, pans and other items that miners need to live.  After the gold rush, a town began to be set up near east Emerald.

In 1900 Puffing Billy came to the other end of Emerald.  they built a train line to cart timber and Mr Nobelius' plants.  The train  became a big tourist attraction. 

Lots of land was for sale after the train arrived

Near the  train station was built  a general store, baker, butcher, grocer and a telecom exchange.  later they made a garage with the introducing of cars.  That's why most of Emerald's shops are at the West part of Emerald not the monbulk rd end.

this is the shop on cnr. Kilvington drive and Heroes Avenue	This is Grameme's dad Mr Legg, he used to drive bullocks before buying the shop

As the years passed on, Emerald built more and more shops. In the 1920 there were 12 shops. they built another baker, another garage, milkbar, hardware store, chemist and a supermarket

In the 1930's to the 1970's there were 22 shops there were alot of new shops general store, bakery, doctor, chemist, real estate agent, hardware, store post office, 2 banks, newsagent, 2 buchers, shoe shop, electritician, haberdashery, take away, three garage and hairdresser 

These days there are many shops. Our grade estimated that there are 56,  thats more than doudle  about twenty years ago.

this is the coffee palace and in the distance there is the train station	Where the coffee palace was is where the health food shop is.