Draft:Hart, Hitchcock and Co

The company Hart & Sons was founded by Mr William Hart (Senior) in 1887. The business closed in the depression of 1894 and reopened as Hart, Hitchcock and Co.

The business is of significance to the history and development of Australia, especially in the Western Sydney region. Many local and historic buildings were built from the timbers sold facilitating the growth and progress of the Western Sydney Parramatta region.

The business is famous for supplying the Australian timbers and craftsmanship of the first cross-country flight recorded in NSW, significant in Australian aviation history in 1911 by the grandson of the Hart & Sons founder, aviator William Ewart Hart.

The business was a source of funds for the late William Ewart Hart, to source parts, materials and engineering for the plane construction, a famous Australian pioneer aviator who later used his aviation skills in World War I.

The business is also considered significant to the local area of Parramatta and to the development of early Australia.

Business Address
The business address in Darcy Road is located in the region where D'Arcy Wentworth was originally granted large parcels to assist the Colony with construction and food production in the Western Sydney Region. The 30-38 Darcy Road Parramatta land was owned by members of the Hart family from 1877 until the 1960s, part of the land was originally their Parramatta residence and the other part was their business address which later was resumed by the government for road building and the business moved it’s operations. Hart & Sons, which later was still run by Hart family members, becoming Hart, Hitchcock and Co following the 1894 depression and had further restructures following the death of founder Mr William Hart in 1910.

Impact on the environment, growth and change in the area
The business was founded on Dharug country. At the time of founding there was still considerable amounts of area for the traditional custodians of the land to coexist and find food. The clan generally lived along the waterways. The expansion of the Colony West, where the business was located, was well located for business expansion and growth which history revealed the danger and pressure this had for the traditional peoples.

The expansion of the business and growth in the Sydney area Grew with the new business structure. In 1902 it was reported that The Hart, Hitchcock and Co. was supplying the majority of building materials for construction of roads and development at the time.

Business History
Mr William Hart (Senior), arrived in Australia at the age of 24 from England. After settling in the region of Parramatta, he became a well respected builder. The business formed is attest to the entrepreneurial qualities of the early settlers. The hard work of these people built up Australia. Their legacy is still being felt in the community.

Mr William Hart (Senior), formed a successful business partnership with Jabez Lavor. This historic business has been credited with constructing a number of well know buildings such as the Wesley Church or also known as the Leigh Memorial Methodist Church, Parramatta. This Church was the largest and most expensive construction in the State.

Mr William Hart’s grandson (from his son William Hart (Junior)) was William Ewart Hart. This famous Australian aviator grew up in the Parramatta / Wentworthville region and was also Methodist. Most probably, William Ewart Hart would have visited the Church that his grandfather helped in constructing.

The historic family residence of William Hart (Junior) which he named “Castrella” was built in 1888. Castrella has timber floors throughout, both upstairs, downstairs, including the construction of a wooden stairwell and outside verandah. These timbers were most probably sourced from the local Parramatta / Westmead / Wentworthville area, via the Hart & Sons business. Castrella is heritage listed for its cultural, historical and architectural significance and can still be seen by passerby’s on Wentworth Avenue or by looking outside the train-window to the left, when travelling East towards Sydney between Pendle Hill and Wentworthville train stations. The famous aviator William Ewart Hart most probably lived there also in his early years walking over the floorboards and stairs that were produced from the business.

The business later was called Hart, Hitchcock and Co and was one of the most successful and influential businesses establishments in Sydney. The business address serviced the growth and development of Western Sydney from Parramatta. The Parramatta Library has historical photos of both the business premises in Darcy Road Parramatta, and also their operations at Rose Hill Wharf. The business was key to growth and development of Australia.

The 1894 Depression and afterwards
Hart & Sons ceased trading with the 1894 depression.

The economy improved and company was soon afterwards reborn as Hart, Hitchcock and Co.

William Williams Hitchcock came to Parramatta to join Hart in forming the new company. William Hart (Junior), the son of founder of Hart & Sons, had joined with Hitchcock and by 1902 a local newspaper reported that the “firm supply all the surrounding districts which lie along the many roads branching out of the old town, with building material, their trade in galvanised iron being very considerable” .

The founder of the business William Hart, passed away in 1910 at the age of 80 years old. The following year there were some changes. William Hart (Junior), son of the original Hart & Sons founder (Mr William Hart), had already joined forces with William Williams Hitchcock in forming this new company following the depression. Parallel to these developments, the local businessman Hitchcock sold his share of his family business to his son William Hitchcock and George Folkard in 1911. George Folkard had joined Hart and Sons as an office clerk and worked hard to become the General Manager and part owner.

The business address was Darcy Road, next to where the Hart family lived and they became one of most well known timber merchants in the Parramatta area during that time. The business premises was required to enlarge Darcy Road Parramatta and was moved to Hassal and Alfred Streets Parramatta.

Although the businesses was affected by the 1894 depression and the Great Depression the Hart businesses were still operational until the late 1920’s and mid 1930’s. The company changed its name to Parramatta Properties Property Ltd. and went into liquidation by 1934 with a new company Folkard, Hitchcock Ltd. formed operational until at least 1940.