The former bootmaker’s shop at 64A Arundel St, Benalla, where a teenage Ned Kelly fought with police.
A former saddler and bootmaker’s shop in Victoria’s north east where a teenage Ned Kelly fought with police, including an officer whom he later murdered, is awaiting a new owner.
The shopfront site at 64A Arundel St, Benalla, also features a two-bedroom house built in the 1940s.
In September 1877, a 16-year-old Ned had been charged with riding his horse on the footpath.
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Overnight, he was held in a cell behind the courthouse located near the bootmaker’s.
While being escorted from the lock-up by four policemen, Ned broke free and fled to the shop.
Historic documents state that a brawl broke out between Ned and the police, with bootmaker Robert John King assisting in apprehending the future bushranger.
One of the police officers, Constable Thomas Lonigan, reportedly grabbed Ned by the privates.
“I’ve never shot a man, but if I do, so help me God, you’ll be the first,” Ned shouted, according to old newspaper articles.
The shop has previously operated as an antiques store and a cafe.
Ned Kelly when he was aged 15. Picture: Public Record Office Of Victoria.
A plaque at the property notes its place in history.
More than a year later, in October 1878, Ned shot and killed Lonigan during a shootout later dubbed the Stringybark Incident.
Two other police officers were also killed during the shootout while searching the forest near Stringybark Creek for Ned and his brother Dan.
Ned was hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol after being found guilty of Lonigan’s murder, in 1880.
A plaque hangs in the ex-bootmaker’s store to let visitors know of its place in Australia’s history.
The address last changed hands in the 1980s with the new owners restoring the building before running an antiques store there for a decade.
Inside the 1940s-era house built on the site.
The Big Ned Kelly statue in Glenrowan. Source: Google maps.
About five years ago, the building reopened as a cafe and gift shop.
It features a fireplace, toilet facilities, undercover parking for two cars and rear access via a laneway.
The house has a kitchen, living area and bathroom with a toilet, vanity and corner bath and shower.
Ray White Benalla’s Shayne McKean said that the property could be used as a dual-purpose investment, with both the shopfront and residence rented separately.
The site went under the hammer on Friday, with Ray White Victoria and Tasmania chief auctioneer Jeremy Tyrrell describing it as “steeped in history”.
“Hopefully here in 2025, a fair fight will result in a new owner,” Mr Tyrrell said.
A garden outside the weatherboard house that stands on the shopfront’s site.
Ned Kelly, the day before he hanged at Old Melbourne Gaol on November 11, 1880.
The property passed in on a $250,000 bid, however Mr McKean is still negotiating with the highest bidder.
Mr McKean said the bidder, who has family in the Benalla area, was looking to acquire the shopfront as an investment.
The property remains the market with a $270,000-$290,000 asking range.
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