This historic photo is in the collection of the Nillumbik Historical Society. Taken from paddocks below Collins Street some time around 1915, it shows how much the village of Diamond Creek has evolved.
The original Royal Mail Hotel, licensed to William Inglis in 1867, was located on the corner of Inglis and Chute Streets. It is the brick building half way down the hill on the left with the verandah over the footpath. At the time of this photo it was owned by Minnie Ritchie. It burnt down in 1926. A new hotel also named the Royal Mail was built in 1927 in its present location near the railway line.
Beyond the hotel, on the other corner with Inglis Street behind the bare trees was a blacksmiths and carriage builder, was first owned by G. Godfrey and later taken over by Sam Jonas. The road turns at the bottom to cross the bridge over the Diamond Creek.
In the distance to the right of the bend in the road is a building that first housed the Diamond Reef Hotel. It later became a coffee palace. The community centre is on the site today. Further to the right is the Horticultural Hall which stood in a similar location to the bowling club now.
To the left with an orchard on the hill behind and next to the railway station is the Cool store built in 1913. The railway line, extended from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, passes through and the dogleg in the road at the crossing is similar to the road alignment today. The main road continues on in front of the tree with Fyffe Street to the right. It is believed that similar road alignments were intentionally made near hotels so horse-drawn traffic would know where to slow down and stop when visibility was poor.
Who was Chute Street named after, and Brian Chute a relative
Hello Phillip, thank you for asking. Chute Street is named after the Commander in Chief of the Victorian Armed Forces, Major General Sir Trevor Chute, KCB at the time of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Melbourne in 1867.
Hi quick question
How long was chute Street before road development?
Did it start in the main town centre and end at the level crossing?
Hi Charlie, Chute Street starts at Cowin Street and continues to the bridge. Its length has remained the same and not changed over time, either before or after the road widening. It did however lose its shops on the south side and its alignment was altered. If you start at the Sawpit Gully roundabout you drive up Main Street to the lights at Collins & Hyde Streets and continue down the hill still on Main Street, the road continues down Chute Street and once you cross the bridge you are on Main Hurstbridge Road.
It has only ever been that short section of road and was named in 1867 when the Diamond Creek subdivision was laid out on the hill and surrounding area starting at the cemetery up to St John’s Church and down to Chute Street.
Hope this helps but let us know if you have any other questions. Jean