1888 Major Works on the Yarra
$18.00
Melbourne’s first Big Build. This photo around 1888 shows a very important and pivotal time for Melbourne’s growth.
In 1879 the Flinders Street Tramway opened, thereby connecting Flinders Street and Spencer Street Stations. It is visible in the photo, running parallel with Flinders Street. This was a single line operating only during the night hours, carrying freight only. It was replaced by the Flinders Street viaduct in 1891.
In 1879 Coode had recommended that the Falls be removed and that the river be widened and straightened. This was a huge project, where many kilometres of the Yarra were altered, dredged and re-banked.
In 1883 the old Falls Bridge was removed, allowing the actual Falls to be blown up and the river to be widened and dredged to constant depths. The banks of the Yarra were strengthened and protected by bluestone walls. You can see the preparations for the new Queens Bridge on the right hand side, it was competed in 1890. The right-angle bridge was a temporary bridge erected in 1886 to replace the Falls Bridge, and it was also replaced by the new Queens Bridge.
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Photograph attributed to Charles Rudd (1841-1901).
Notes from the State Library tell us that this image is "Elevated view looking south, showing Peacock's Fruit Preserving Works, Queensbridge during construction and South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) Town Hall in the far distance."
This is a digitally retouched reproduction of the original held by the State Library of Victoria. All prints are reproduced without the HOTPRESS watermarks.
Our team of conservators have worked on a high resolution digital image in order to remove blemishes and artifacts such as stains, mould, scratches and damage caused by the handling of the original. We strive to provide authentic representations of the original work that are suitable for enlargements that retain the tones and character of the original.
