Lion Tile Co. Subdivision, 1990
Subdivision brochure for the former Lion Tile Company site at Enfield (now Strathfield South). Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
A recent donation to the Strathfield Library Local Studies collection was this glossy 1990 brochure advertising the subdivision of the Lion Tile site fronting Liverpool Road at Strathfield South. McDonald’s now stands on part of this site.
Lion Tile Company, 1937. Courtesy Royal Australian Historical Society
Long term residents will probably remember the distinctive Lion Tile Company. For many years tiles and bricks were manufactured here, the company specialising in textured bricks, tiles and prefabricated decorative brick feature panels. Locals have commented on the ornate stone lion statues that once stood guard over the site. Column Eight of the Sydney Morning Herald on 6 September 1980 noted that although the lions were usually painted in the colours of two Rugby League teams, they would remain grey that year as their usual artist was unavailable.[1]
You can read more about Lion Tiles at: https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/blog-post/cricketer-bill-oreilly-and-the-lion-tile-co/ and https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/blog-post/strathfield-south-c-1940/
First and last pages of the 1990 subdivision brochure for the Lion Tile site. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
The Lion Tile Company site was acquired by Rosecorp Pty Ltd in late 1988 with plans to develop it commercially. However this plan was abandoned and the site was subdivided since it seemed unlikely that the entire site could be sold as one lot. Smaller lots were offered at auction during July 1990. As well as McDonald’s, other current businesses on this site include KFC, a petrol station, Ibis Budget Motel and a large number of other businesses and warehouses. The pedestrian bridge crosses Liverpool Road to Strathfield South High School at this point. The South Strathfield Business Park also stands on the former Lion Tile site at 6-20 Braidwood Street.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Sydney Morning Herald 6 September 1980[2] Sydney Morning Herald 5 June 1990