A view of Smith's Foundry. Copy of a postcard.

The building is built of random stone masonry with brick quoins. The stepped gable and circular pediment dominate the facade, concealing from the front the ridge ventilator.

Smith's agricultural machinery factory provided a major economic boost to Ardrossan and at its peak employed 70 men. The weekly output was 12-14 implements. In association with his brother Richard Bowyer Smith, Clarence Smith developed the stump jump plough which revolutionised farming in the mallee country. The plough was constructed with retractable shears which enabled it to 'jump' the mallee stumps, saving the farmer the onerous task of digging out the many stumps.

Smith, Clarence Herbert, 1855-1901

Smith, Richard Bowyer, 1837-1919

Neumann, Beryl The Smith brothers and the stump jump plough Maitland, S. Aust.: National Trust of South Australia, Central Yorke Peninsula Branch, 1986

Back to Ardrossan Easter celebrations: 1873 to 1955 [Ardrossan, 1955]

Ardrossan and Cunningham Ward Centenary Book, 1873-1973 produced by M.L. Sanders [Ardrossan: District Council of Central Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan and Cunningham Ward Centenary Committee, 1973?]