VICFarming
Horsham
A shop for pastoralists became the Wimmera’s hub.
1849Store and town survey
WHAT STARTED IT
George Langlands opened a store to supply pastoral stations in the Wimmera. The Wimmera River site became a place to buy supplies and conduct local business, with a town survey in 1849 and land sales the following year.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Subdividing large runs into farms brought more customers. Flour milling began in the 1870s and the railway reached Horsham in 1879, strengthening its position in a grain and wool producing region.
TURNING POINTS
1844The first sheep reach the Wimmera in February, brought by Taylor and McPherson; Darlot’s 1843 stock were cattle.
1849Langlands arrives and a town plan is prepared.
1879Rail reaches Horsham.
1949Horsham becomes a city.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A regional service centre for Wimmera farming, with hospitals, education, shops and agricultural research alongside its river parks.