The iconic boomerang sign once marked Castles Corner at the intersection of Baylis and Tompson streets. Photo: Museum of the Riverina.
This week, the Museum of the Riverina takes us back in time to the 1960s, when Castles Corner on the intersection of Baylis and Tompson streets was a bustling hub of activity in Wagga Wagga.
This iconic snapshot shows the renowned boomerang, now a cherished piece in the Museum of the Riverina’s collection, as well as Castles Hardware standing proudly on the corner.
An advertorial article in Sydney’s The Farmer and Settler in August 1938 declared that “before the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area was even thought of, Messrs Castles Bros. Pty. Ltd. hardware specialists of Wagga had already established a high reputation for faithful service to the public of the Riverina”.
The “modern” Castles Corner shop in Wagga was established in the late 1920s and was not just a store, but a cornerstone of the community.
The Farmer and Settler described the “smart and commodious brick building” with its “neon signs, bright window display, good lighting, and effectively lettered signs that mark them out as a go-ahead place of business”.
Another ad from October 1938 in The Daily Advertiser proclaimed that Castles Bros had expanded “from the fine new building on the corner of Tompson and Baylis streets to the more recently acquired commodious bulk store directly opposite”.
Not only were the builders catered to, but the ad promised that “the ladies in charge at home will all find there the hardware that they require” as well as “artistic gifts” and a “range of crystal and silverware, art, china, cased cutlery and modern lighting units”.
During the Second World War, factories and many building industries were established in Wagga to meet wartime and local or agricultural demand.
To support the building of houses and public buildings in the town, building supply chains were established in several locations.
The most prolific local suppliers were Castles and Hardy & Co. The latter was responsible for the construction of many public buildings in Wagga Wagga, such as the Historic Council Chambers and the Murrumbidgee Turf Club grandstand.
Every builder, tradie, and DIY enthusiast in Wagga knew the importance of places like Castles Hardware.
From tools to timber, they were the go-to for everything and a wealth of knowledge and goodwill needed to build and maintain Wagga’s homes and landmarks.
Many locals also kicked off their working life at Castles, learning valuable lessons about hardware and retail.
Saturday mornings spent browsing the aisles or catching up with friends on the corner are fondly remembered.
Today, Castles Corner is home to Gazman Clothes and Hog’s Breath Cafe, but the spirit of community and craftsmanship lives on in the heart of Wagga.
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