Can you date this Photograph? [George St, Sydney]
Posted on February 1, 2010 by Rhonda Campbell
A moment in time……
This image is of what is considered Sydney’s main street….George St. It’s from a time when the only horse powered transport on it was horses! Hopefully there will be a number of clues in this image to help with narrowing down a date.
Larger version available on Flickr
We have many other undated photographs in Photo Investigator and on our Flickr account. If you know the dates or any other interesting facts about these images please let us know.
Also of interest:
Comments (13)
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Hi Rhonda,
One of our Flickr friends has suggested it is at least pre-1900 as there are no tram lines. Also that it is looking south from Bathurst Street.
I couldn’t resist researching the Name of Walter Long on the building, according to Sands Directory, Walter Long was a Draper in Pitt St. from 1861 – 1865.
Sometime from 1858- 1859 his Drapery Bussiness was relocated to 398 George St. Sydney.
In 1892 he is recorded as being ,Walter Long Draper
86 King St. Sydney
So the time frame should be 1858 -1891 A huge period I know but this shows he was not there after 1891.
Govening factor of course would be, when was his name taken off the building after he moved.
Regards Rhonda
Additional comment: The Name on a building ( enlarged ) shows J J Curran, again referring to Sands Directory, J J Curran were Wholesale Grocers and Importers in George Street Sydney from and including the years 1870 – 1873
[from my flickr post]
Getting narrower – post 1885 from the telegraph / phone poles and that iron arcade on the west side of George St, which evidently was built to hide and hold the ever-growing network –
” In 1885 a cable support disguised as an ornamental verandah front was erected along the western side of George Street from the G.P.O. to what is now Railway Square. (ref 3’4’5) This is a distinctive feature which can be seen on many photographs. It became the backbone of the network with pole routes branching off at every cross street. The pole route in this section of George Street was replaced by a smaller one carrying only telegraph wires. The cable support was superseded before 1900 but was not all demolished. Shopkeepers had been allowed to use it to support awnings, and where they had done so it was left in place. ”
Ref. http://www.telephonecollecting.org/lightpoles.htm
So, 1885 – 1891 so far?
Hi Rhonda
Yesterday, when I saw the photo, I was going to suggest Sands might be the best bet. Looking south down George St. (Brickfield Hill.) Perhaps that church steeple is Christ Church St Laurence (812 George St).
There are countless other names easily legible, such as Hopsons Millinery & C. Davis Watchmaker & Jeweller & others, as well as the ends of names on both sides (you could print out & blow up).
When did the trams first run in George St?
What about the shadow test?
Hi,
1858 Sands Directory has a Walter Long, Draper at 618 George St.
Also, the City of Sydney Assessment Books (rates notices) are available online, from early 1850′s into early 20th C, and they are organised in spreadsheets, by Street and number …. they may hold the answer as they list the tennants too.
With Walter Long, Draper of 618 George St in 1858-1859 at the same time Biddell Brothers confectioners were at 495 George St across the road. See it says 500 which would be correct as the numbers would be 495-500 george St
Cheers
[from my flickr post]
I think I can narrow it further to pre 1890.
Compare the large size image with this 1899 photo from the Tyrrell Collection at the Powerhouse Museum which details a building (with theatrical posters for 1899) on the South East corner of George and Liverpool Streets. http://www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/27123 41239/
The building is conveniently dated 1890 on the parapet (see the Persistent URL at full zoom http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/ ?irn=29634 ), and appears several metres taller than the telegraph pole on the corner. That same telegraph pole is in this photo (third from the left – see note) but there is no taller corner building. Which implies this photo is before the 1890 building, if not while it was being built, 1889-90.
So 1885-1890?
It’s a great snapshot of the hustle and bustle of daily life in Sydney’s main street pre 1890. All the informative comments about the proprietors and shopfronts helps to bring the image to life.
Sands Directory for 1887 has Biddell Brothers, manufacturing confectioners at 505-507 George Street. It also has Davis Coleman, watchmaker and jeweller at 588 George Street, Mr A.L. Elphinstone, milliner at 590, John J. Curran, wholesale grocer at 592a, Parry and Co., seedsmen, manufacturers and general importers at 594 then Walter Long, draper at 600 on the corner of Wilmot Street. Sands Directory for 1888 does have Biddell Brothers but does not have Curran or Davis. Thus the photograph must be between 1885 and 1887.
Me too I guess that’s before 1890s since the electric tramway was opened on December 8th 1899. This runs from George street to Harris street. Here’s a picture of the tramway between 1900-1910
I agree with Janette above – having looked in the Sands Directories for the contiguous shopkeepers, C Davis (watchmaker), JJ Curran (tea and wholesale merchants) and EM Davis (draper) as well as the photographer Lemain; I would date the photo to 1887 -1888 as 1888 is the first appearance of EM Davis in the directory whereas JJ Curran moves from 1887 in 592a George Street to Pitt Street.
This date would also be consistent with the clothing style of the two ladies in the buggy and the lady walking with a parasol under the walkway outside EM Davis.
My guess is perhaps 1888 – perhaps someone took some photos of the various Sydney streets for the Centenary?
One other observation – it was cetainly taken at midday because the shadows are very short and indicate the sun was immediately overhead and probably spring/summer because there are a number of men with their shirt sleeves showing.
It’s great that we have a resource like the Sands Directory to consult From everyone’s research I think we can safely say that the photo shows life in Sydney in the late 1880′s.