Cattle, pigs and sheep were the items for sale when Dandenong Market officially opened for business on Tuesday 10 October 1866.
An informal market sprung up on the pavements around the stockyards shortly after, where farmers sold surplus produce and second-hand items.
The market took place fortnightly at first but soon became a weekly event.
By 1870 up to 300 vendors and buyers attended the market for livestock, fruit, dairy products, skins, lard, honey, hay and other farm produce.
Farmers from throughout the La Trobe Valley and Gippsland travelled to Dandenong to buy and sell.
In 1926 the market started the move to the site it calls home today.
It officially opened at Clow and Cleeland streets on 4 October 1927.
The produce hall was on the Clow Street corner and the stock market sale ring and yards extended up Cleeland Street.
During World War II the market provided vital food supplies from local farms and factories for the war effort.
From June 1940, all produce sections and the showgrounds grandstand had been converted into sleeping quarters for more than 1000 recruits.
Following almost 90 years of continual arguments and discussions, the stock market was removed from the heart of Dandenong in 1958 and into a purpose-built site on Cheltenham Road, behind the Dandenong rail yards.
It hosted its first cattle sale in January 1958 and by October 1959 all the livestock was removed from the market.
In 1975, the market’s old produce hall was demolished and new brick produce and fruit halls were built further along Cleeland Street.
The council wanted to retain the rural atmosphere and European market style so retained an open air section and used the slogan ‘City shopping with a country atmosphere’ to encourage shoppers.
The following December, Dandenong City Council started a six-month trial opening the market on Fridays in addition to Tuesdays to boost revenue.
It was successful and Saturday trading was added in 1982. Dandenong promoted itself as The Market Town.
Sunday trading started on 6 October 2013.
Today, Dandenong Market features more than 200 traders spread over 8000-plus square metres.
It brings together 150 different nationalities under one roof and sells fresh local produce, meat, vegetables, cheeses and spices.
Dandenong Market 150th
Enjoy these other stories at the Journal celebrates 150 years of the Dandenong Market:
Birthday party in store
From livestock to market stalls
History captures moments in time
Fruit stall stays in the family
Stall selling is their stock in trade
