Background
In 1889, the Boix Hill Gas Company bought the land on the NW corner of Whitehorse and Elgar Rds.
The works would burn coal to produce gas, and digging of the streets started where the gas pips would
be laid.
Gas was used in the streets for lighting, and later to residences of Surrey Hills, Mont Albert, and
Box Hill in January 1890. Bath-heaters, coppers and stoves coiuld be operated instantly without relying on supplies
of dry firewood.
Initially, only small areas of these suburbsl were supplied.
The gasworks operated until 1974, with the arrival of natural gas, and the works were later demolished
to make way for the new Box Hill College of TAFE.
Older residents will recall the noise and fumes!
