eHive Object Details

Name/TitleTown Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne, c. 1900

About this objectThis photograph of Melbourne Town Hall, located on the north-east corner of Swanston and Collins streets, has been taken from an upper level of a building on the opposite corner of the intersection.

This grand building, opened in 1870, was designed by Joseph Reed in the French Second Empire style. The portico on the left of the image was added in 1887. This building replaced an earlier town hall completed in 1854.

The tower clock says quarter to four, but there are not many people around at this usually busy intersection. Is it a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? A hansom cab waits at the curb on Collins Street. Behind the vehicle a man waits for a passing tram before he crosses the road. In the lower right foreground, a lady in a light coloured long skirt and holding a parasol, waits. Some people cluster outside the Collins Street entrance of the hall.

Street trees are planted along Collins Street, and tram lines criss-cross the intersection.

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.

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

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1900-1910

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsReed, Joseph, 1823?-1890.

Subject and Association KeywordsReed and Barnes (Architects)

Subject and Association KeywordsSwanston Street (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsCollins Street (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsMelbourne Town Hall

Subject and Association KeywordsHansom Cabs

Subject and Association KeywordsMelbourne (Victoria.)

Subject and Association KeywordsHoddle Grid

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-BCS-30

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved