In December 1947, Fletcher Jones purchased 5 acres from the city council on the eastern outskirts of Warrnambool for 430 pounds.   The site was a rubbish dump in a former quarry.  This is where the Pleasant Hill Fletcher Jones Factory opened the following year.  Work started on creating a garden in the next year for the employees to enjoy.  

The quarry was Lawson's Quarry.   The first Town Hall in Warrnambool was built in 1891 with stone from this quarry and the facade still exists at the Lighthouse Theatre in Warrnambool.    

 

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The FJ Gardens

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Why should a factory look like a factory?

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FJ the man and FJ the business
FJ Pleasant Hill site not long after purchase in 1947. The quarry can be seen in the right of the photo. Photo: Jones Family Collection.
FJ Pleasant Hill site not long after purchase in 1947. The quarry can be seen in the right of the photo. Photo: Jones Family Collection.
The working quarry in 1890 at the site that would become Pleasant Hill. Image:Warrnambool and District Historical Society
The working quarry in 1890 at the site that would become Pleasant Hill. Image:Warrnambool and District Historical Society
Information about Lawson's Quarry. Thanks to John Woolf for sharing.
Information about Lawson's Quarry. Thanks to John Woolf for sharing.