The story behind the historic C. H. Smith precinct
The imminent opening of the redeveloped C. H. Smith and Company site in Charles Street, Launceston, will perpetuate the name of a prominent and successful businessman. When the business name Chas. H. Smith and Company appeared in Launceston in July 1889 it was the start of a new era for an enterprise that had its origins going back nearly 200 years. Charles Henry Smith was an accountant who had come to Launceston in 1854 with the shipping and pastoral company Dalgety and Blac
When Coogans was Australia's biggest furniture maker
In the 1920s Launceston was home to the largest furniture factory in Australia, a vast industrial complex that covered 10 acres at Invermay, established by businessman William Coogan. W. Coogan & Co. also had factories at Hobart and Burnie making a wide range of furniture from Tasmanian timbers for the company’s showrooms in Launceston, Hobart, Burnie, Ulverstone and mail order sales. At its height the business employed nearly 400 people in manufacturing and sales. The compan
1929 Flood: Launceston's darkest days
The Great Flood of 1929 remains the most deadly flood disaster in Tasmania’s history. Ninety years ago wild weather and rain across Northern Tasmania started in late March and intensified in early April with 18 inches (457mm) of rain recorded between April 3 and 6. It is described in Launceston Weather Office records as an "outstanding storm" event. Bureau of Meteorology records note that the South Esk River rose to over 30ft (9 metres) above the summer level at Fingal and to
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