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1960s precast concrete sink - abandoned house, McKinnon

Ai;

"Based on its design and material, this is a vintage cast concrete laundry trough, most commonly manufactured and installed between 1920 and 1960.

 

Typical Era and History

 

Primary Era: These heavy-duty sinks were a standard fixture in Australian "wash-houses" or outdoor laundries from the 1920s through the 1950s.

 

Australian Manufacturing: A major producer, Everhard, began manufacturing precast concrete laundry tubs in 1932.

 

Decline: They began to be replaced by stainless steel and vitreous china basins in the 1960s.

 

Characteristics of the Era

 

Design: These tubs often featured a slanted front used as a built-in washboard for scrubbing clothes.

 

Weight: They are incredibly heavy, often weighing between 180kg and 270kg (~400–600 lbs), frequently requiring them to be broken into pieces for removal.

 

Common Use: They were typically paired with a "copper" (a large boiler for clothes) and a hand wringer before electric washing machines became common."

 

 

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Uploaded on May 27, 2026
Taken on May 27, 2026