Author Archives: Rach

In 1876 J M Smith appeared to own all of Section 85 of Fitzroy. This area had the boundaries of Brunswick St (W), Reilly St / Alexandra Pde (N), Smith St (E) and Rose St (S). Most of the southern part of Fitzroy had been subdivided and Smith’s lot was one of the last toContinue reading “Smith Reserve, Alexandra Pde, Fitzroy”

There is an amazing building in Fitzroy that is little discussed, it is the Old Drill Hall at the Victoria Parade end of George Street. We are hoping to find some old photos of this building if anyone has any? There are a lot of images of the redevelopment of the site as the propertyContinue reading “16 George Street, Fitzroy (Drill Hall)”

This is the site of the old Snap Industrial Laundry. The site is currently under renovation and it is believed it is becoming a distillery. Recently (c. 2023), Mark Hassad, Hidden Melbourne took these photos of the site. To see more, visit his site.

The current site of Mukka, an Indian establishment and favourite of Fitzroy for the past 7-8 years is in a building which has a long history. The Snadden’s (unknown – 1929) Joseph Lauder Snadden married Jane (Jennie) Price Showers, the daughter of an ex-councillor of Fitzroy. Their wedding was held at St Luke’s Church, NorthContinue reading “365 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy”

Opposite Godfrey 1 at 266-274 Brunswick Street is Godfrey 2. Another impressive terrace. This one towers over its neighbours and was built between 1890 and 1895.

I am yet to research this house, but a reader supplied me with an amazing photo of the site from the late 1970s so I have loaded up a few images of the site, starting with the most recent in 2021 and then two different photos from the 1970s.

I am yet to research this house, but a reader supplied me with an amazing photo, so I wanted to share it. Linda’s is the last photo from the late 1970s.

The little wooden house. I am not sure when it was built but it could be as early as 1863. It is the oldest house on this street. If you know more about this one – let me know. I first traced the house to Charles Riley in 1863. He owns and lives in theContinue reading “131 Kerr Street, Fitzroy”

This street is amazing. I am sure you can tell that these are not the original houses on this block. The land on which they were built was owned by William Bamber and housed three little houses. Two were brick and one was wood. These existed in 1860. By 1863, William was living in theContinue reading “133-135 Kerr Street, Fitzroy”

Yet to research – this lovely house, but see below for two photos from the 1970s. It is incredibly interesting to me how much buildings change in a short period. The first photo shows this building painted with a banister. Then about 10 years later it has had its paint removed to reveal the hawthornContinue reading “78 Kerr Street, Fitzroy”