Former Bowden Timber Mill

Thomas Bowden was born in Porthleven, Cornwall in 1853, and with his father and brother, John, built wooden boats as long as 70 feet.

Thomas Bowden and his family arrived in South Australia and then moved to Port Pirie and became well known in the trade of boat building, while also building a timber mill and joinery shop and commenced the business T Bowden Timber Merchants. He was the first in the state to build string-test four oared sliding seats in racing boats. The company was also responsible for the building of trunkways for the local ore carrying ships. Richard, his son joined him in the business and they supplied most of the timber and materials for the many houses then being built in Port Pirie.

Thomas Bowden died at the age of 77 in 1930 and Richard then took over the business. Richard's son, Tom, joined his father running the mill in 1937. When the 1939-45 War broke out Tom became an army engineer for the next five years. After returning home from the war Tom rejoined the firm and set about re-organising machinery and supply channels to compete in the post-war boom.

Richard died in 1959 at the age of 67 and Tom became the head of the company. In 1966 his son Peter joined him and in the next ten years the business premises were rebuilt and modernised. Tom retired in 1987 and Peter then carried on managing the company until its closure.

The part of the building facing into Alexander Street had also been occupied by Joseph Millhouse JP and his family. Mr Millhouse established himself as a dentist in Port Pirie in 1895 and for many years had his residence in the building as well as two surgeries. The dental practice was Millhouse and Son, and was run by Joseph and his son Ernest.