Nettlefield & Palmer - one of Maryborough's oldest buildings; now Gatakers Artspace

Nettlefield & Palmer now a a multi-purpose arts facility called Gatakers Artspace. This image is part of Fraser Coast Libraries collection.  

In 1868 Samuel Smith and Linklater & Thompson built a store in Kent Street for Robert Travis, of the wholesale and retail firm, Robert Travis and Co. A wonderfully descriptive article describing the store can be found here

Travis was a very successful merchant and a director of the first sugar company in the district. A Maryborough Chronicle article documenting his involvement can be found here 

Following Travis's passing in 1879, drapers Rutledge and Netterfield (later Netterfield and Palmer) took over the building. Like the previous owner, they were agents who brought South Sea Islanders to Maryborough. A Chronicle article here states 106 recruits aboard on June 10th, 1883.

Purchased by C.F Gataker of Graham and Gatakers, General Merchants in 1885 becoming  Gatakers Pty Ltd  in 1934 as stated here in the Chronicle.

In 1955 the building survived a major flood and in 1986 Gatakers Pty Ltd ceased trading. The building was used for  a variety of purposes including offices and being leased by Australia Post. 

After the building was vacated in 2007, it was renovated and in 2010 became Gatakers Artspace.

References:
http://www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/Gatakers/About (2017)
Trove.nla.gov.au. (2016).

Tags #Gatakers #nettlefield #palmer #oldbuilding #Maryborough