eHive Object Details

Name/TitlePanoramic view looking south from Town Hall, Fitzroy, August 1880

About this objectThe photograph shows an elevated view of rooftops and buildings stretching to the horizon, with one clearly visible street on the left. The inscription on the border of the image tells us it is taken from the City of Fitzroy Town Hall's tower looking south. The date, August 1880, economic details, and the names of the mayor and councillors at that time are also printed on the border.

The street is Napier Street, and on the left side of this street, the largest building is the Presbyterian Church. In the right foreground is a sign which reads "Wickhams Dining Rooms", which was located at 14 Condell Street, Fitzroy. On the horizon, Government House can just be seen at the end of Napier Street, and St Patrick's Cathedral in the middle horizon.

The Sands & McDougall Directory of 1880 lists many private residences and small businesses, such as bakers, grocers, and hotels, in the area shown in the photograph. However, from the 1930s to the 1960s, this neighbourhood was included in various government slum reclamation programs. Most of the buildings in the photograph were razed before the construction of the Atherton Gardens high-rise housing commission estate during the 1960s.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.

Isaac Selby gave an illustrated lecture on "Old Melbourne and Fitzroy, its First Suburb", at Town Hall, Fitzroy, on 16th August, 1928.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

Date Made1880

Inscription and MarksTop: VIEW FROM TOWN HALL / (LOOKING SOUTH) / Bottom: CITY OF FITZROY / Population, 19,500 Amount of Rates, £12,700 Estimated Value of Rateable Property, £1,539,470. / MAYOR: J. McMAHON. / Councillors R. Showers J. Moore E. Brooks G. C. Clauscen / S. Lyons B. Woodhead F. W. T. Evans J. Holden / August 1880 Town Clerk: John B. Jones / City Surveyor: F. Cooze

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1880-1890

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsFitzroy Town Hall

Subject and Association KeywordsFitzroy (Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsPresbyterian Church (Fitzroy, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsAtherton Gardens Estate (Fitzroy, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsNapier Street (Fitzroy, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsPanoramic views

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-BCS-13

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved