momentsintime

Date 1882-1891 from lack of Post Office clock (see note). I wonder what tall building the photographer was on? And why?

beachcomber australia I'm not sure if this is too far away, but note the grand entrance at 15[?] George Street, indicating a grand house, and the curious structure on the corner with James Street. Could it be a tower of some kind? see Sydney metropolitan detail series - Redfern, Sheet 2, 2nd ed. 1894 acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_zoomify/2008/D00663/a1367360.html These two properties, 13-15 George Street, were situated where the Reconciliation Park now is. Whether they were the houses demolished in the 1980s to make way for the park is unclear (they may have already been demolished and replaced previously) - www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/aboutsydney/HistoryAndArchive...

When were these type of street lamps in use and also there are no electricity poles along the street.

pellethepoet I think you are in the right-ish position - but "why" has me flummoxed. There seems not to have been any drama in the 1880s over Redfern's water and sewerage (except for a few smelly drains) - the steam tramway to Botany was already in Redfern Street (1882) - most of the houses on the right (west) side of George Street seem to have gone since for light industry, but this can't be a resumption / demolition photo as the 1894 map still shows the individual buildings - could be part of a P@%!&@#@ of the railway station and yards, but why not use the Post Office clock tower or St Paul's Church for a better view? Any ideas anyone?

It always amazes me to see how few trees there are in these old photos of the city and 'burbs. It must have been so much hotter, dustier and windier.

GoogleMapsStreetView - well almost. That is the only place with a gap in the trees nowadays.

Early 1940s, all looking quite run down. A lot of boats disused, owners away at the war. Now if you had asked, when was this photo taken, I would say, around high tide.

Unfortunately the best I can suggest is that it is early twentieth century.

McElhone Stairs are present, so it's after 1904.

Slightly earlier ..................................................... and much, much later.

jrg_from_oz jrg_from_oz, the McElhone Stairs were built c.1870 - see NSW Heritage database: www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_04_2.cfm?itemid=2420979 The 1904 date may be when they were named after him (he died in 1898)?

We seem to have a conflict between NSW Heritage and the City of Sydney archives, with the latter stating at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/aboutsydney/historyandarchive... that the stairs were built in 1904 and named in 1918 ..... There is also a reference in the SMH of 28 Nov 1953 (p9) to them having been built "some 50 years ago". However, most references seem to be c1870, so in the absence of any other definitive statement, I'll bow to the weight of numbers