thestrand

The Strand has been a part of Townsville's history since the city was founded in the mid-19th century. A public outdoor swimming baths were first constructed between 1886 and 1889. In 1891, military fortifications were established at Kissing Point, a rocky headland at the north-west end of the Strand. By 1929, a branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association built the Pioneer Women's Memorial Building with five seaside huts on Mitchell Street, Kissing Point. A number of persons were killed by sharks over the years on The Strand. The current foreshore was opened in 1999 after the old foreshore was severely damaged and eroded after heavy rainfall and wind from Tropical Cyclone Sid in January 1998 and other monsoonal storms between 1997 and 1998. It was moderately damaged by Cyclone Tessi in April 2000.[citation needed. The Strand was the 'cauldron stop' for Townsville, during the Australian leg of the 2000 Sydney Olympics Torch Relay. The Strand was named Australia's cleanest Beach in 2008. This was the second time the award was given to the beach in five years. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strand,_Townsville

The thoroughfare now known as Townsville's Strand developed from as early as the mid 1860s. From this time, Townsville's more wealthy residents, taking advantage of the cooling sea breezes, were building residences along the beachfront. By the early 1870s, reflecting this development and growth, at least three hotels had been built in the vicinity. At this early stage of development The Strand remained unformed and unsealed and there had been no formal planting of shade trees. In 1881, the Townsville Council planted a series of cedar trees, following up with cocoa and betel nut trees, as a way of beautifying the beachfront area and to provide shade for those using the area for recreation. In 1883, the Council developed a roadway along the beachfront leading to Kissing Point. There are a range of impressive and important sites and buildings along The Strand that remind us of the area's history and development. Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-place-histories-strand...

Same view some years earlier

North Ward is one of the oldest and most popular suburbs of Townsville. Wedged between towering Castle Hill and the deep blue Coral Sea, North Ward overlooks the tourist drawcard of Magnetic Island and the Port of Townsville. The suburb of North Ward also contains fine examples of early Queensland architecture including pre-war hotels and church buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Jezzine Barracks, located at the end of The Strand, is a perfect outing for history buffs with access to the Military Museum and a collection of outdoor sculptures and walkways that provide historical insight into the days of the war and Townsville's development. Head up to Kissing Point Jezzine Barracks for some of Townsville's best ocean views. Not far from The Strand and Jezzine Barracks is Queens Gardens, one of three fine botanical gardens in the city. Established in 1870, Queens Gardens includes a formal rose garden, two small hedge mazes, a rainforest walk, and a small aviary featuring peacocks, lorikeets, and sulfur-crested cockatoos. Source: www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au/things-to-do/product...

From John Mathew’s “Highways and Byways”… Melton Terrace, Melton Hill. Shown as Cleveland Street on the first survey plan of the city. The name was changed to Melton Terrace in 1969. Melton Hill, Melton Street, Melton Lane, and Melton Black Drive were all named in honor of John Melton Black, one of the founders of Townsville, and whose home was built on the crest of Melton Hill. The name Melton Hill was used at the first land sale, of Townsville land, held in Bowen in 1865. Melton Street has now merged into Willmett Street and Melton Lane is now the present day Herbert street. Source: s0.whitepages.com.au/aebf45b8-75f4-421f-813a-83a14f1a2ad1...