Author Archives: Rach

“This bank was constructed for the E.S. & A. Bank in 1879. It is likely to be by Leonard Terry, but the records of this bank do not survive prior to 1890 and no tender notices have been discovered. The first Fitzroy branch of the E.S. & A. Bank was opened at 43 George StreetContinue reading “136 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy”

“This row of four houses was constructed in 1901-1902 for Margaret Munro.  The name “Lethams Buildings” refers to Henry Letham, the owner of five earlier properties which occupied this site.  Letham owned the buildings from 1866-1899.  The buildings are of considerable interest for their intact tripartite window surrounds, freestone string courses at sill height andContinue reading “121-127 George Street, Fitzroy (Lethams Buildings)”

What to say about this corner location… once it was a stunning building and the initial location for the thriving business of Messrs. Davies and Steel who were drapers. Their business commenced here in the rather majestic building shown below and then by 1896 had expanded to incorporate 121-123 Brunswick Street as well (shown onContinue reading “117-119 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy”

To Cab Proprietors, Dairymen, and Others” proclaimed the papers on 27 November 1862 as the land at 149 George Street, Fitzroy (then 93 George Street), was advertised to go under the hammer a week following. The land was described as “An allotment of land, having 33ft. frontage to George-street, by depth through to Little GeorgeContinue reading “149 George Street, Fitzroy”

This four house terrace was constructed prior to 1858, and was possibly designed John Gill in 1853, although this has not been verified.  It is possible that the two houses designed by John Gill in George Street, Collingwood in 1853 form part of this group.  “In 1851 he designed a group of seven houses forContinue reading “53-59 George Street, Fitzroy”

“Robert Webb was born in England on 25 November 1811 and journeyed to Sydney, NSW in 1827 as a 16 year old. He obtained a post as a Controller Clerk in the Customs Department, Sydney in 1829. He married Ann Fisher in 1834 and purchased land west of Sydney. In September 1836 he was appointedContinue reading “Webb, Robert Saunders (Administrative Official) 1811-1855”

Mrs Susan Mary Portlock who employed 19 females making mantles, now known as overcoats and capes originally had set up shop in 248 Brunswick Street. “In 1908 she registered her mantle-making factory at 44 Greeves St, employing 60 females. She livednext door at 48 Greeves St. Her daughter Edith Mabel married Percy Albert Cooper inContinue reading “44-48 Greeves Street, Fitzroy”

“This photo is of a W2 class 535 as it rounds the curve into Pilkington Street from Holden Street, North Fitzroy on a tram enthusiast charter trip (20 July 1969). The incorrect destination and route number were a request of participants. Note the distinctive track curve to negotiate the narrow street. Between 1926 and 1939,Continue reading “Holden Street, North Fitzroy”

The post office was designed by John Thomas Kelleher of the Public Works Department in 1882 (who was 38 years old with 20 years’ experience in the department) and was built by Beardall and Glencross in 1883. “The builders were Beardall and Glencross who put in the lowest tender of 4,655 pounds making the allContinue reading “296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (Fitzroy Post Office)”