NOBODY has seen the old Wodonga police station for decades, but its past is not lost.
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History buffs yesterday got a momentary glimpse of what is left of the old station that was built on High Street, next to Bond Street, more than 100 years ago.
Biosis archaeologist Gary Vines spent the day digging up the old site to set the history record straight before the remains are hidden by the Junction Place redevelopment.
Mr Vines uncovered the foundations of the old lock-up, the police station frontage and front door, barracks rooms and water connections.
“The reason for this is to get the details right,” he said.
“The foundations are in a different place and are a different shape from what is on the old plans.
“We are capturing the information before it is completely demolished.”
The police station was built in 1900 and after it had become too run down, police moved to a new station on Elgin Boulevard in 1967.
Former Wodonga sergeant Alan Martin visited the old site and reminisced.
“The front door wouldn’t lock and we had to put a piece of board against the door,” he said.
“When we would bang it into place the ceiling would come down and we would end up with white muck all over us.”
Mr Martin said during his time at the old station he remembered when a constable was told to sit down by an inspector and the chair went through the floor.
“Quite frankly I really liked the old station and I liked working there so I have no regrets,” he said.
“The camaraderie was good and everybody helped one another, regardless of rank.”
Next to the police station and lock-up was the old courthouse, which burnt down in 1964, and the bond store, where people paid import duties.
Mr Vines said it was important to honour Wodonga’s history.
Mr Vines had not found any old artefacts.
He will continue digging up parts of the site today.