The History of a Melbourne Icon

Prahran Market is Australia's oldest continuously running market.

The Prahran Market is a community in itself. Its traders and other tenants, together with the staff of the Market Office, consitute a vibrant group of people passionately dedicated to the Market, its past, present and future. Vociferous, excitable, often in agreement, occassionally at odds, with an enormous and diverse range of talents and skills, the community of Prahran Market is as much a part of its cultural heritage as the wonderful produce it sells.

Here is a brief overview of the history of this great icon.

1864

Although land was sold throughout Prahran in 1840, it was not until the gold rush days of the 1850's that the community really began to grow, and in 1856, Prahran's first Council was elected. Prahran was famous for its small farms and market gardens, and at first goods were sold or bartered locally or carted into Melbourne.

What was needed was a central market place in the municipality of Prahran and this was organised by the Prahran Council in 1864.

The spot originally chosen was near the corner of Greville and Grattan Street, where the garden is now located.

Eventually the Grattan Street market became hopelessly overcrowded and a new spot had to be set aside. In 1881, the market was transferred to its present site on Commercial Road.

1891

By 1890, the demand for stalls was greater than supply. Tenders for the erection of a building and an extension of stalls were invited in March 1890. The building works were carried out at a cost of about 12,000 pounds.

The new Prahran Market was opened in 1891 and from the outside it looked much as it does today.

Internally the Market was dark and the many different smells mingled with the dust which hung in the air. In summer, the smell of over ripe produce was almost over powering.

At this time horses were kept behind the stalls and fowls were kept in pens in the market in close proximity to food.

1920

The Market was extended in 1923 at a cost of 80,000 pounds. It was cold in winter and hot in summer. There were few cars till the late 1920's and no carparks were needed. All day cart horses stomped and steamed in the stables provided by the Council and their smells added to the odours of old fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry. It was not until the late 1920's that sufficient refrigeration was available for perishables. The old meat arcade, located on the eastern side of the Market was very primitive, with sawdust on the floors and the all-pervading smells of carcasses.

The Salvation Army made a regular practice of marching down the Market aisles. Regular Friday night concerts were held on the balcony above the Commercial Road shops.

Since almost everything had to be sold on the day, the last hour of trading within the Market was hectic, with stall holders marking down their goods to rock bottom prices and the buyers jostling to get the bargains.

Even the depression years of the 1930's had little impact on the Market. It became a distribution point of groceries, clothing and boots for the unemployed.

1940

In the war years, shoppers travelled to Prahran by tram and train with their ration cards.

During the Second World War, most men were conscripted into the armed forces. However, those on farms were considered essential services and left behind to ensure a continuing supply of food.

Most of the men in the Market went to war and their wives and children took on the hard job of buying, carting and selling the produce. The men on the farms would help the women at the Market by delivering the produce.

1950

On Boxing Day 1950, the fruit and vegetable section of the Market was gutted by fire. Shortly after the fire the Prahran City Council began talks to update the complex. Whilst various proposals were being considered, a shanty town of sheds was erected and trading continued as usual.

1972

After the 1950 fire the Council erected a temporary replacement structure and it was not until 1972, that they appointed Gunn Hyball Pty Ltd to complete a new market. The final stage was completed in 1976 at a total cost of $6.5 million.

Land was also bought behind the Market between Elizabeth Street and Barry Street to extend the car park. Customers in their cars used to queue up at the end of each aisle awaiting a parking spot. A man positioned on the top of the Market would announce over a public intercom where the vacant car spaces were located. He was affectionately referred to as "The voice from above"!

1994

In 1994, Council appointed an independent Board to run the Market, free from political interference.

Over the 18 year period since the 1970's renovations, the Market was in need of major structural repairs. As well as attending to decaying pipes, steel work and floor coverings, some cosmetic changes were achieved. The old brick wall facing Elizabeth Street was demolished and replaced with glass windows to allow natural light to flood the fruit and vegetable hall. The old liquor arcade which ran off the Market Square was converted into a Gourmet Food Hall and the Market Square was covered with Glass sails.

The Council then developed a multi level carpark between Elizabeth and Barry Street which is managed separately.

While other Melbourne Markets were experiencing a downwards trend in food retailing, Prahran Market became home to Australia's food experts. Prahran became a place to discover new and unique produce and a place to learn about the latest cooking trends.

Future

Prahran Market continues to be Melbourne's premier food precinct, as a living icon which continues to reinvent itself in order to cater to the changing needs of the community it services.