Chicory Mill - Bacchus Marsh, Victoria
Posted by: 
ThePacman
S 37° 41.113 E 144° 26.662
55H E 274647 N 5826035
Chicory was processed in this mill as far back as 1885.
Waymark Code: WMNXY8
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 05/21/2015
Views: 11
This mill is located at 30 Taverner Street, Maddingley.
It was built in 1885 for the Pearce Bros Chicory in 1885 by a J F Taylor and a Mr Murphy. Chicory, which was grown nearby, was processed here for use as a coffee additive.
The large square mill was built with red brick on bluestone and sandstone foundations. It was the largest of its type built in Victoria to process chicory. It had a root slicing disc, elevators to take the cut root to the drying floor and bagging facilities.
The corrugated galvanised iron roof was crowned with a cylindrical iron vent.
Chicory roots were roasted in the kiln and then ground to be used as a coffee additive. But chicory was a labour-intensive crop, so farmers eventually switched to other crops and by 1910 this mill was no longer used.
The building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
There is an old faded 1890s advertisement on the southern facade for "Dr Morse's Indian Root pills". The pills were marketed as a blood cleanser that improved health, and the sign was large enough to be seen from the nearby railway line.
Year built?: 1885
Is the mill or gin still in operation?: No
What is or was processed here?: Chicory
Are tours available?: None offered, view from the outside only.
How is or was it powered?: Fossil fuels (wood, coal)
Related link to this waymark.: Not listed
What is it used as today?: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
A picture of the mill or gin along with any information you can provide about the waymark and what you might have experienced while visiting.