pittstreet

I have been trying to puzzle this one out for months - now successful ! Photo taken from on top of a Gas Holder (hence the great height) at the corner of Pitt Street and what was then Gipps St West and Garden Road, looking SE across the Old Cemeteries towards Surry Hills. The whole area was resumed and flattened to make Central Station in the early 1900s. Eddy Avenue roughly follows Garden Road. Easier to understand when looking at this interactive 1895 map of Sydney, which shows the tram route and depot - www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.map-rm3443-sd&rgn=0... . The picture could be as early as 1880 - the original steam tram was built between Sydney Terminus and Circular Quay to take people to the Exhibition at the Garden Palace from 1879.

Looking at the photograph with your well researched notes I can see where Eddy Ave would be and where Central Station now is situated.

There's just one problem - the 1870 Exhibition Building in Alfred Park ( www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-nsw/3793508243/ ) should be visible in the distance. I cannot see it at this resolution; maybe it is just lost in the overexposure?

Hi beachcomberaustralia, I have replaced this image with a larger version, if that helps you.

Thanks State Records NSW, the large size is brilliant. I found the Exhibition Building (see note). What looks like a series of bridges underneath, is possibly a railway shed under construction an avenue of trees around Prince Alfred Park.

Absolutely amazing! Too bad our society does not look like this anymore. I don't like modern architecture.

Wonderful photo, what beautiful buildings, electric tram and no cars!

yes the AMFI turret is now gone. pitt st mall.

Spot the differences. Which was first? -

beachcomber australia The sepia photo is several minutes later. There are less boxes in the back of the cart at the left, and as the sun is travelling from left to right in the pictures, less shadow is falling on the spokes of the cart's right wheel making them more visible. The trams are not the same ones, though they're in almost the exact same position!

The cars and trucks look 1950s - I wonder if they are ripping the tracks up? Google street view - goo.gl/maps/Uxf3VkfomeS2 [Edited 6/12/16]

The Pitt Street tram line closed on 28 September 1957, replaced by a bus service. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitt_Street,_Sydney

beachcomber australia pellethepoet I've replaced this with a larger version in case there might be some more clues. Could they be ripping up the tram lines rather than laying them down...? AB

The Church in the photo isthe Christ Church St Laurence located at 507 Pitt Street, although entrance is gained via George Street. www.sydney.com.au/christ-church-st-laurence-sydney.htm There is a possibly that something was recorded in their local church news for the time period.

Zanitazoe Thanks for identifying the church! AB