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A Capitol Mystery

Many eyes over many years have
perused the contents of the memorabilia
cabinet at the Masonic Grand Lodge.
Amongst those items was a bit of wood
with a plaque attached.
One member of the Lodge Harry
Kirkwood, also a CATHS’ member,
was intrigued by the message. The
plaque reads:

Piece of RED GUM
PICKET FENCING
found 15 feet below the
surface when excavations
were being made in connection
with the construction of the
CAPITOL THEATRE
Swanston Street
Melbourne,Vic.

Presented to the Grand Lodge Library by
Edgar Howard Penrose, CE (P.M.)
24th August 1931
What is the significance of the
picket? No one today can offer an
explanation. The Lodge was happy to
transfer it to Harry and thence to
CATHS for safekeeping.
The speculative answer is that
workers on the foundations for Capitol
House recognised that milled red gum
was an artefact from the earliest days of
white settlement.
From the top: Looking south-
At least two substantial buildings,
west from Little Collins Street
both dating from c.1880, were
today. Capitol House is centre.
demolished to make way for the
The Talma building next door
Capitol (see Swanston Street scene).
(right) is the only holdover from
A fence picket would have predated
the 19th century.
any of those buildings.
Swanston Street from Little
Who held the picket for the nine
Collins Street 1897. The Talma
years between its unearthing in 1922 and
building is the tallest. Vita was a
its presentation to the Lodge by Past
photographic studio.
Master, Edgar Penrose? Was it first
- Peter Wolfenden Collection.
presented to Capitol House/Capitol
Theatre architect Walter Burley Griffin, Collins Street 1840. Swanston
who later passed it on? Here is one silent Street was similar; simple
witness destined to stay that way. ★ cottages and fenced allotments.
- Ian Smith

CINEMARECORD 2007 17