The Mains
Among the many old Dairy Farm establishments historical records refer to 'The Main' which was in the middle housing the administration centre of the farm. This enlarged 1949 aerial photograph (Source: Survey and Mapping Office, 1949) Items 1, 4 and 6 are the only buildings of the Mains that still remain today. Blue indicates the entrance access road to the Mains. Dotted line roughly refers to the Culinary College.
Quite a number of old Dairy Farm facilities could only be found at the Mains while not in other parts of Pok Fu Lam, eg - the poulty batteries, the dairy and the blacksmith shop. The Mains was probably the earliest establishment of Dairy Farm, the original 4 octogonal cowsheds (Item 1&9).
The Mains was in a stepping terrain separating into different levels. The 2 octoganal cowsheds at the highest point remain today. Immediatley below were the paddock and poultry batteries, which the paddock was connected with the sheds by a ramp. Slightly downhill were the offices and carpentary shop. Across the entrance access road were the Dairy and other cowshed, piggery and staff quarters, at the location of todays VTC Pokfulam Complex. To the West of the poultry batteries were the Senior Staff Quarters 'Braemar'. some other structures were located at the lower part of the slopes.
The site was the centre of the farm of Dairy Farm for many years since 1886 until changes started to happen in the late 1970's. Despite the ongoing changes to the site, the historic buildings in the area and also the remaining buildings and structures of Old Dairy Farm still serve as an important reminder of the historical past in Hong Kong.
