The stately chimney is about the only intact remnant visible on site today.
The Tannery was established back in 1858 by Mr Matthew Dodd.
It was purchased by brothers William & Albert Zwar in 1888. It went from putting out 30 hides a day in 1888 to around 1500 hides a day by 1952 when it employed over 100 people. William Zwar retired in 1900 and Albert took over the running of the Tannery. The Tannery was destroyed by fire in 1915 and when it was rebuilt it was done on a much larger scale and by the year 1919, the exports to London were valued at over 72,000 pounds.
By 1935 the Tannery employed 200 people and was Beechworth’s main industry.
The tannery made all types of leather, concentrating on sole leather and it was known Australia wide & internationally trading under the Z.B. Zwar brand. The Tannery’s main export countries were England, China, Japan & India.
The Tannery ceased trade in 1961.
The Crossley Engine and Generator that powered the Tannery for its last 24 years is now situated in its own special shed in front of the Bowling Club here in town. More technical information is available from signs there.
The Tannery supplied surplus power to the Beechworth Township with 14,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month being provided from 1936 until June 1946.
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