Across the road from the Green Street Supermarket in Carisbrook you will find a historic stand pipe and a memorial trough, donated by Annis and George Bills.
Keen supporters of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and later the RSPCA, the Bills were regular contributors to animal welfare charities
(source: State Library NSW).
Bills horse troughs are
watering troughs that were manufactured in
Australia and installed to provide relief for working
horses in the first half of the twentieth century. The troughs were financed by a trust fund established through the
will of George Bills. A total of around 700 troughs were distributed by the trust in Australia and 50 in several other countries
(source: Wikipedia).
A Golden Way Heritage Trail information sign alongside the standpipe displays a 1920's photograph of the shop across the road and provides the following text:
This view of the store which still has its original shop front shows the advent of motor power with an early motor charabanc and tourer parked at the front. Such vehicles were gradually replacing the horse in the 1920's. Of four blacksmith shops in Carisbrook, three were located in Green Street. The historic horse trough and pump nearby are reminders of the role of horses in early transportation.
More to explore nearby
There are lots of interesting places to check out throughout Carisbrook, including:
BBQ
Carisbrook
