History of Bartrop Real Estate
Since the 1920's the name Bartrop has been synonymous with Real Estate in Ballarat.
In 1876 William Little succeeded to
the Real Estate business of James Oddie, Ballarat's first Auctioneer.
William Little later became Mayor of Ballarat, and his business thrived.
However, it was destined to be taken over fifty years later by the firm
of Edgar Bartrop Real Estate. On 19th December 1921, Edgar Bartrop
commenced business as an Estate Agent in a two roomed office "down the
passage" at 22 Lydiard St Sth.
The agency soon progressed to
the stage where he was able to purchase "The Ballarat Agency" of G.
Norris at 35 Lydiard St Sth, opening onto the street and with a show
window. Then followed the acquisition of the agencies of Ottaway
and Blomley & Blomley. In 1930, despite the depression, came the
opportunity to purchase the agency of H. J. Dunston, successor to the
old established William Little and Co., and later the freehold of 54
Lydiard St Sth. Under the Bartrop Control the business continued
to expand. Ballarat's first "Ideal Home Exhibition" its
first "Contrast Home show" and an active "Home building service" were
most successfully promoted.
Mr. Bruce Bartrop joined his father
in 1952 and the family company was subsequently incorporated.
Mr. Bruce Bartrop assumed the position as Managing Director in 1964.
With a number of further absorptions of other established real estate agencies the company
continued to grow.
Members of the firm have always been involved
in real estate industry matters. Not only through the Ballarat
Real Estate Institute Branch, but throughout Victoria, Australia and
overseas through the International Real estate Federation. The
late Edgar Bartrop was a founding member of what is now "The Real Estate
Institute of Victoria." Both he and Bruce Bartrop are past
Presidents of the Institute - holding the distinction of being the only
members outside the metropolitan area with offices West of Melbourne to
ever be elected to the position. Both have also been awarded life
membership of the Institute, Edgar in 1972 and Bruce in 2002.
The First House in Ballarat
It is fitting that the office of Bartrop Real Estate stands on
the site of the first house in the City of Ballarat, erected by Mr.
James
Meek in 1852 when bullock hide and stringy bark were said to be the
mainstays of the country. Mr. Meek paid
50 pounds to a man for splitting the slabs of which the walls of the
house were built. The aboriginal camp in the background
between Mr. Meeks house and what is now Armstrong Street Sth and the
other details are all realities which make a complete historic
picture showing what our world famed and beautiful city was like in
1852 just two years before the Eureka Stockade Rebellion.
Reprinted in 1894
from an old sketch of Ballarat 1852.
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