For over 100 years, the major agricultural pursuit in Ringwood was orcharding.
Dating from the 1860s, becoming more predominant over the following 40 years, orchards of plums, pears, apples and cherries could be found throughout Ringwood, Ringwood North and Heathmont.
A Ringwood and Districts Horticultural Society was formed in 1897, not only to show case the produce from the district but also to work to improve methods of production and marketing.
The Ringwood Coolstores, with capacity of 10,000 cases of fruit, was built in 1911 on the south-eastern corner of Whitehorse Road and Wantirna Road, at a cost of nearly £5,000.
The Coolstores operated for nearly 50 years until they closed in 1960 and were demolished shortly after. On the site is now erected the Ringwood Clock Tower.
