Marsh’s Monarchs

Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society Inc. (BMDHS)

We received an email from Lyle – Mulga Bills Cycles (Facebook page).

He owns a c. 1899 ‘Monarch’ cycle that was made in Bacchus Marsh by the Simon Brothers (Bert and Walter). He was recently in Bacchus Marsh to check out where his cycle came from.

About 1900, the Simon Bros. started working on the ‘Monarch’ cycle, in a shed at their father’s orchard in Taverner Street. They then moved to a wooden shop in Grant Street near the bridge. They soon out-grew that building before embarking on a bold move, purchasing a site on the corner Main and Grant Streets.

Below is a brief story, from the Bacchus Marsh Express, about Bert and Walter Simon.

8 January 1910 – Bacchus Marsh Express

“Guaranteed for ever” seems a long period, but shows that the makers have faith in their work. Messrs. Simon Bros are prepared to give this guarantee to users of their Monarch cycles, which are most popular with cyclists, who realise that they are getting a good honest machine built by makers they know and can depend upon. At the Boxing Day sports the Monarch cycles secured several wins, namely: – H. Burbidge, 1st in half-mile open bicycle race; 1st in one mile district race; H. Densley, 1st in open quarter mile; J. Densley, 1st in youth’s race. H. Densley also got a 1st and a 2nd at Creswick on New Year’s Day.

Messrs. Simon Bros are skilled mechanics in all branches of engineering, and deserve, encouragement. They are also agents for the well-known Ferro oil engines, a good number of which are in use in this district.

Call and inspect at Messrs. Simon Bros. establishment in Grant Street, near the bridge.

6 September 1913 – Bacchus Marsh Express

MONARCH CYCLE WORKS and NEW MOTOR GARAGE, BACCHUS MARSH

TEN years ago, Messrs. Simon Bros. occupied an unpretentious work-room at their father’s orchard.

Today they occupy an up-to-date two-storey brick building in the main thoroughfare of the town. The greatest factor towards how it has been accomplished can be said in two words-HONEST WORK.

Always of a mechanical turn of mind; the brothers Simon looked for an-opening for their abilities in that direction, rather than follow up orchard work. They spent all their spare time in studying books, Strade journals, and magazines dealing with mechanics, &c. Mr. W. D. Simon also attended the Working Men’s College, and went through a course of turning, fitting, and mechanical drawing. Whilst there he won Turri’s £10/10/ prize for the best invention, with a kerosene blowpipe. Mr. Simon did not patent his invention, as the cost was prohibitive-some £60 in each State.

Recognising that there was a future before the cycle trade, a wooden shop and workroom was erected in Grant Street, where Messrs. Simon Bros. commenced to build the well-known “Monarch” cycles, which gave satisfaction to all their customers. As time went on, trade increased, and the shop became too small. A bold venture was then decided on. Messrs. Simon Bros. saw that the motor trade was going to be the thing of the future, and to cope with it they purchased a site at a high figure on the corner of Main and Grant streets, which are also the main Ballarat-Melbourne-Geelong roads, and much frequented by motors.