Photograph - undated, possibly prior to the First World War, shows a cable tram with the destination of Spring St passing under the Port Melbourne/St Kilda Rail lines overbridge in Queens Bridge Street. The bridge has a large advert for Wolfe's Schnapps - "for your health sake". On the left-hand side are two policemen talking to each other. There are four horse-drawn carts and one open-top motor car. In the background are Queens Bridge Motors Pty Ltd building and the Queens Bridge Family Hotel. Note the windmill on the left-hand side of the photograph. The railway bridge was partially demolished following the closure of the railway lines in 1987.Yields information about Queens Bridge Melbourne and the rail line over bridge.Black and White Photograph of a cable tram passing under the rail line over bridge at Queens Bridge South Melbourne. Two copies held.trams, tramways, cable trams, queens bridge street, queens bridge motors, queens bridge hotel, wolfe's schnapps, windmills, horse drawn vehicles, railways, port melbourne railway, st kilda railway

Notice to crews regarding altered tram arrangements for route 55 trams busses that used Queensbridge St during the demolition of the former St Kilda/Port Melbourne rail over bridge between 30/7/1993 and 2/8/1993. Notes that trams will be stabled in La Trobe St between Spencer St and Kings St.Yields information about the demolition of a rail bridge in Queensbridge St South Melbourne.Three A4 page document, stapled in top left hand corner.tramways, queens bridge street, yarra bank road, bridges, demolition, buses, trams

Typed correspondence from Max Cohn on printed Letterhead paper 'The Cohn Bros Victoria Co Ltd successors to Max Cohn & Co Wine & Spirit Merchants Castlemaine Brewery Buildings, cnr Queens Bridge Street and Hanna Street, South Melbourne dated 22nd December 1922. Estate of the late Roschen Cohn share scrip and transfer. Signed Max Cohn.bendigo, industry, cohn bros brewery, max cohn. roschen cohn. cohn share scrip

R..H. Baron took leave from Herdcott Camp between 4.10.19918 and 8.10.1918 to visit Aldershot. See Catalogue No. 7743 for leave pass details. Relatives lived in the Aldershot area. Part of the 'Robert H. Baron', No.3596 and Cooper Collections. See Catalogue No. 19819 for details of Baron's service.1. Coloured street scene with buildings, groups of people and horse drawn transport. 2. Coloured street scene with buildings, groups of people and horse drawn transport. 3. Coloured street scene with buildings, groups of people. 4. Coloured scene features a canal with boat, tow path, bridge and house. 5. Coloured, Band marching down a street. Spectators lining the road. Church in background. 6. Coloured Group of soldiers in uniform marching along the road. Spectators, church in background. 7. Coloured statue of a man on a horse. Statue located on a hill 8. Coloured scene of gardens surrounded by buildings and a church. Groups of women. 9. Coloured - Large building with a clock tower. 10. Coloured column of uniformed soldiers on horseback. Buildings lining road. Horse drawn transport sharing road. 11. Coloured street scene with red brick building and pedestrians. 12. Coloured Monument with inscription. Buildings in background. 13. Black and wgite street scene. Street lined with buildings. Horse drawn transport. Pedestrians.1. High Street, Aldershot. 2. Wellington Street, Aldershot. 3. Union Street, Aldershot. Handwritten in black ink on back: (Notice how narrow the streets are). 4. Wharf Bridge, Farnborough Road, Aldershot. Handwritten in black ink on back: "I was all over these places with Uncle. I had a good time in Aldershot, Bob. 5. Wellington Avenue (Church Parade), Aldershot. Handwritten in black ink: 'One of the Aldershot bands', R.H. Baron.' 6. Queens Avenue and St. George's Church, Aldershot. Handwritten in black ink on back: 'Soldiers going to church". 7. Wellington Monumental, Aldershot. Handwritten on back in black ink: 'I was right up around this place!' 8. Municipal Gardens, Aldershot. Handwritten on back in black ink: 'This place is very pretty, Bob'. 9. Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot. Handwritten on back in black ink "This is a fine place!". 10. Hospital Hill, Aldershot. 11. Smith Dorrien Home, Aldershot. Handwritten on back in black ink. 'I was all over Aldershot with Uncle. I have saw all these places. Bob.' 12. R.A.M.C. Memorial, Aldershot. 13. Victoria Rd, Aldershot.robert h. baron, cooper collection, aldershot uk, postcards

Rose Series postcard P.1666, titled "Flinders Street Station and the Yarra, Melbourne". This photo is looking southwest from St Paul's Cathedral over the station building along the Yarra River. The St Kilda/Port Melbourne and Queens bridge are in view, but not the Spencer St bridge which was built during the late 1920s. The AW Allen's Limited Confectionary Factory constructed in 1923-24 on Riverside Avenue dominates the landscape on the south side of the river directly behind the dome of the Flinders Street railways station. One very long set of horse-drawn carts can be seen alongside the center entrance to the railway station building in Flinders Street.Yields information about an aerial view of Melbourne late 1920sPostcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.tramways, trams, flinders st station, yarra river, bridges, railways, flinders st, rose series

1 - "Queens Bridge from near centre looking south (from tray of Tramway's truck). Three north-bound tramcars are held up by spread of stationary traffic across trams tracks. Date 15-10-54, time 0910." Nearest tram is a L Class No 101, "City via William St" route 4B. behind is a W2 Class tram on route 4B plus another tram behind it again. Leyland TS8c No 143 bound for "Collingwood" is also delayed in Yarra Bank Road. 2 - "Queens Bridge from near centre looking south (from tray of Tramway's truck). North-bound tramcar held up by slow-moving traffic. Dated 15-10-54, time 0858 hours." SW6 class No. 902 with dash canopy lighting has an "Essendon Depot" ancillary board on the front of the tram. Heading south on Queensbridge Street is a Leyland drop-enter bus, with a silver roof, bound for Port Melbourne. Leyland TS8c No 143 bound for "Collingwood" remains delayed in Yarra Bank Road unable to enter Queens Bridge. Note the "Guest's Biscuit" advertising sign on the side of the Port Melbourne railway line bridge. Yields information about the traffic congestion on Queens Bridge 1954 and trams 902 and 101.Black and white photograph with handwritten details of time and location on the rear.On the rear of each print is the details - see Context.trams, tramways, traffic congestion, queens bridge, sw6 class, l class, w2 class, tram 902, tram 101, bus 143, ts8c class, buses, mmtb buses, railways, queensbridge st, yarra bank road, leyland, route 4b, route 7a

1 - "Spencer Street looking south from the roof of Hamill tyre service, tramcar held up in northbound traffic for a period of 3.5 minutes, date 28.9.54, time 0835 hrs. In the background is part of the Fish market building, the bridge itself carrying very heavy traffic. In the foreground is coming out of Siddeley Street, is an "Atlantic" petrol tanker and trucks for L & G Wilson carriers, and G H 'Don' Watson cattle truck. Note the truck carrying paper reels has come out of the Mobil Service Station and is turning south onto the bridge. Traffic is also struggling to exit Queens Wharf Road onto the bridge as well. The W2 class, is running to East Preston on Route 9 service. Note the Pioneer Tour coach, "CDR" petrol tanker and a forklift truck in the traffic mix. 2 - "Clarendon Street at Whiteman Street looking north (from tray of tramways truck), northbound trams held up by traffic across tracks, date 13-10-54, time 0810hrs". In the view is W5 class No. 808, running a Thornbury route 9B service. Another "Thornbury" bound tram can be glimpsed in the traffic ahead. In the background are the Robar Tea House, Hart & Co, Robur Tea advert, Bullen's Circus, and Vincent's pills. 3 - "Spencer Street from Batman Hill Hotel, looking south, general view of traffic, dated 22-10-54, time 1712 hrs". Has in the view, W2 class tram 574, running to "East Preston" route 9 service, and W2 No.566, running to "Hawthorn" on route 27 service. In the background is the Victorian Railways Head office, the Tea House and the railway viaduct. Note also the advertising for both Philips and Berger Master (Paints). Yields information about the traffic issues in Clarendon and Spencer Sts. 1954Black and white photograph with handwritten details of time and location on the rear. - set of 3.On the rear of each print is the details - see Context.trams, tramways, traffic congestion, w2 class, tram 808, tram 574, w5 class, clarendon st, spencer st, tram 566, route 9, route 27, route 9b

Printed document - headed "Legislative Assembly", first reading dated 16/11/1943, titled "A Bill to authorize the Construction by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board of an Electric Tramway from South Melbourne to Melbourne.". Details the route: Sturt and Hanna Streets to William St via Queens Bridge St and Little Flinders Street - notes can be of open ballast construction and which authority responsible for costs. Notes part is cable tram conversion.trams, tramways, mmtb, south melbourne, hanna st, conversion, william st, queens bridge st, acts of parliament

Set of three prints of Melbourne street scenes published by Sands & Kenny in 1856 1 - Post Office 2 - Princes Bridge and city terminus of M&HB Railway Melbourne (Melbourne and Hobsons Bay Railway) 3 - Collins Street looking east from Wesleyan Chapel Melbourne (near Queens St) Shows typical horse-drawn transport, railway and pedestrians of the era.Yields infomaition about Melbourne in 1856.Set of three prints or lithographs of drawings of early Melbourne scenes on paper.melbourne, horses, horse drawn vehicles, collins st, post office, princes bridge, railways, m&hbr

Photo - see pdf file for further information. Number Brief Description RSC1 PCC 1041 at the gates of Preston Workshops on a test run without its trolley retriever RSC2 PCC 1041 in Glenhuntly Road on Route 67 en-route to Carnegie crossing the Railway Gates at Glenhuntly Station RSC3 W2 482 stored at Malvern Depot with Olympic Park on the Destination RSC4 Cable Car Set 64 in Swanston Street outside Princess Bridge Station in bound with open top Double Deck Bus, Trak Motors ? Departing from Flinders St Station RSC5 W3 669 in St George Road at Sumner Street en-route to Preston Workshops for scrapping RSC6 Cable Car in Lygon Street en-route to Carlton RSC7 PCC 1041 turning from St Georges Road into Miller Street to enter the Preston Workshops RSC8 Flinders Street Station with cable cars RSC9 PCC 1041 in strife on its maiden day in service. Trams on route 88 delayed in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC10 Flinders Street at William Street with Cable Cars RSC11 L 104 on the fan of the new shed at Malvern Depot on a TMSV tour RSC12 Cable Set 1 after it’s restoration at Preston Workshops on the fan near the front gate RSC13 X1 466 at a suburban terminus of the Footscray System RSC14 X2 680 at Point Ormond Terminus RSC15 An ex Launceston Tram at the outside terminus of the Penny Royal Complex Tramway in Launceston RSC16 Q 148 at Preston Workshops awaiting disposal RSC17 Elizabeth Street with Cable Cars RSC18 Elizabeth and Bourke Streets corner outside the GPO with cable cars RSC19 Collins Street with Cable Cars RSC20 A photo taken from the observation deck of the ICI building showing a view of Parliament House with a W class tram in Nicholson Street RSC21 Auburn Horse car with a posed photo of all the tramway men employed RSC22 Cheltenham Double Deck Horsecar with a full load of passengers RSC23 City of Northcote cable trailer No 3 at a terminus RSC24 City of Northcote Cable cars passing in High Street Northcote RSC25 St Kilda Road at Princes Bridge with Cable Cars RSC26 Flinders Street with Cable Cars RSC27 Cable Cars RSC28 Bourke Street looking towards Elizabeth Street from Queen Street RSC29 Cable cars in Bourke Street at Elizabeth Street looking east RSC30 Cable cars in Elizabeth Street at the terminus at Flinders Street RSC31 Cable cars in Bourke Street at Swanston Street looking west RSC32 Cable cars in Swanston Street at Flinders Street looking north RSC33 Cable cars in Collins Street near Russell Street RSC34 Cable cars in Elizabeth Street at Bourke Street RSC35 Cable cars in Collins Street at Elizabeth Street RSC36 Cable Cars in Swanston Street at Flinders Street RSC37 Cable cars in Collins Street RSC38 Cable Cars RSC39 Cable cars in St Kilda Road near Princes Bridge RSC40 Cable cars in Collins Street east of Swanston Street RSC41 Cable cars in Spring Street outside Parliament House RSC42 K class No 92 in M&MTB Chocolate and cream livery but with a P&MTT Destination box on Route 14 RSC43 Thornbury Depot viewed from Miller Street and St Georges Road. Two W2 class cars are laying over between the peaks RSC44 Z3 No 201 in Met Livery passes D1 No 3510 in new M/Tram livery. A staff member in uniform stands in the doorway. Dandenong Road RSC45 D1 No 3530 advertising Heinekin Super Golf on Route 55 in Royal Park RSC46 D1 No 3504 in M/Tram livery on the reserved track in Matthews Avenue near Essendon Airport showing Route 81 Travancore. I suspect it is a private enthusiasts charter due to the Malvern W class run number in the rear windscreen RSC47 D1 No 3504 on Route 64 in Dandenong Road in M/Tram Livery RSC48 D1 No 3504 in M/Tram Livery at Airport West Terminus RSC49 D1 No 3504 in M Tram Livery in Union Road outside the Showgrounds RSC50 D1 No 3504 at West Maribyrnong Terminus in M/Tram Livery RSC51 D1 No 3503 in M/Tram Livery in Malvern Depot RSC52 SW6 No 960 and VR No 53 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC53 Hawthorn Tramways Trust No 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC54 VR 53 & B 2042 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC55 VR 53 & C 3016 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC56 NMEL&T Co No 13 (Formerly No 214) in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC57 NMEL&T Co 13 (formerly No 214) at Preston Workshops for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC58 Hawthorn Tramways Trust Lettering on HTT No 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC59 Hawthorn Tramways Trust No 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC60 Hawthorn Tramways Trust No 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC61 Hawthorn Tramways Trust No 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC62 NMEL&T Co No 13 (formerly No 214) at Preston Workshops for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC63 W2 516 and another on route 59 wait to shunt at Essendon Aerodrome Terminus as W2 571 on route 49 departs. This was the last day of operation. RSC64 Australia’s First Electric Tram at Box Hill with tramway men including H J Hilton who is in the centre RSC65 W2 484 en-route to St Kilda Junction and another wait for passengers after a race meeting at Caulfield Racecourse RSC66 X1 463 on the Footscray system en-route to Russell Street RSC67 Geelong 35 on Chilwell Route, Formerly HTT 13, M&MTB 119, then Bendigo 1 and Ballarat 37 RSC68 P&MTT No 4 on Opening Day of the system in Glenferrie Road RSC69 Bendigo No 6 in McCrae Street near the Depot en-route to North Bendigo RSC70 P&MTT No 4 in Glenferrie Road on opening day of the system RSC71 Scrubber No 3 stripped and awaiting scrapping at Preston Workshops RSC72 Scrubber No 4 at South Melbourne Depot RSC73 Q 191 & 139 at Preston Workshops awaiting scrapping RSC74 Rail Grinder No 3 at Preston Workshops as purchased from Sydney RSC75 Y 469 waits to shunt at Wattle Park Terminus as Y1 613 departs on driver training duties RSC76 VR 53 on the outside roads at Essendon Depot RSC77 W5 796 with three doors and square windows running out of Brunswick Depot in Cameron Street, with a supplementary destination board showing “City via Swanston St” RSC78 W2 258 on the wheel grinder road at Brunswick Depot RSC79 X2 676 on a TMSV tour, W5 817 & 836 & VR 53 on the open roads at Essendon Depot RSC80 PCC 1041 on test, passes W7 1035 in High Street Preston RSC81 D1 class production number 7 as delivered on test in Matthews Avenue RSC82 W2 383 on route 5 turning from the reserved track in Dandenong Road into St Kilda Road at St Kilda Junction RSC83 Z3 204 as advertising tram for Vodaphone Grand Prix running into Malvern Depot new shed RSC84 Z1 No 4 on test in St Georges Road RSC85 PCC 1041 on Route 96 in Bourke Street near Exhibition Street RSC86 Z1 No 3 without numbers on test turning from Miller Street in St Georges Road RSC87 Track components stored in Coldblo Road at Malvern Depot with Z class cars adjacent RSC88 D1 3501 in M/Tram Livery on Route 55 in Peel Street at Franklin Street RSC89 C 3001 in Yarra Trams Livery Porto No 018 & D1 3502 in M/Tram Livery on display in Harbourside Esplanade RSC90 D1 class tram production number 7, in as delivered condition on test in Matthews Avenue RSC91 D1 3503 inside Malvern Depot RSC92 SW6 955 and W6 974 in St Kilda Road at City Road at dusk. RSC93 Freight Car No 19 at Preston Workshops in green Livery RSC94 Rail Grinder No 3 in green Livery at South Melbourne Per Way Yard RSC95 A SW6 class car on route 50 shunting at Elizabeth Street Terminus at night, taken from Flinders Street Station RSC96 W2 588 & 435 in St Kilda Road at Batman Avenue RSC97 Y1 613 in service at Wattle Park Terminus RSC98 W2 588 in Wellington Parade en-route to the City with a Grand Final Load of passengers followed closely by No 384 RSC99 W2 558 on MCG Footy Special entering the Simpson Street siding RSC100 W3 657 & an L Class in the new shed at Malvern Depot RSC101 Y1 613 in St Kilda Road on an enthusiast's tour in St Kilda Road south of St Kilda Junction RSC102 Y1 613 on an enthusiast's tour in Clarendon Street with the two extra tracks on the Railways viaduct under construction RSC103 W6 976 on the fan of the new shed at Malvern Depot RSC104 W7 1024 as an advertising car for Bank of NSW at the route 1 terminus at South Melbourne Beach RSC105 PCC 980 on route 96 in Nicholson Street near North Fitzroy Depot RSC106 SW6 890 with dash canopy lighting in Market Street on the opening day of William Street Services RSC107 W2 444 with big numbers heads a line of footy specials in Simpson Street Siding RSC108 Cable Cars in Elizabeth Street RSC109 NMEL&T co No 2 with a trailer outside the power station in Mount Alexander Road RSC110 Alf Twentyman’s cable car set in his Northcote backyard RSC111 Cable Cars in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC112 Cable cars in Collins Street outside the Town Hall RSC113 PCC 1041 at Carnegie terminus RSC114 Cable cars in Elizabeth Street RSC115 Cable cars in Collins St near Swanston St RSC116 HTT 19 turns from Riversdale Road into Camberwell Road at Camberwell Junction RSC117 W1 419 official builders photo of first car of the class RSC118 Cable car with a full load of passengers RSC119 W1 422 illuminated for the visit of T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of York RSC120 PCC 1041 in strife on it’s maiden day in service. Trams on route 88 delayed in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC121 Bendigo Birney car in Finn Street near North Bendigo terminus RSC122 SW6 in St Kilda Road at Domain Road at night RSC123 All 3 of Alf Twentyman’s cable cars in his Northcote backyard RSC124 Cable trailer 256 being unloaded into the shed at Bylands RSC125 Cable grip car 1 being removed from the Melbourne Museum RSC126 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC127 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC128 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC129 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC130 W class car in Swanston Street at Collins Street RSC131 Y1 469, L & W3 on the run out of Glenhuntly Depot on a tour RSC132 W7 1024 as an advertising tram for Bank of NSW at Clifton Hill RSC133 W2 496 on a footy special in Simpson Street Siding RSC134 W2 as originally converted to a test car at Preston Workshops RSC135 W3 667 in Brunswick Depot with Ellen Butland at the controls RSC136 W3 669 on its final run at Victoria Parade and Brunswick Street RSC137 W2 571 in Wellington Parade at Clarendon Street with a Footy Final load of Passengers RSC138 Y1 613 shunts at Spencer Street Terminus as X 217 waits on Australia Day Pageant RSC139 PCC 1041 on Route 96 in Bourke Street outside the Southern Cross Hotel RSC140 SW6 890 with accident damage on the outside roads at Preston Workshops, c1978 RSC141 W2 535 on Route 4 at the old St Kilda Junction, c1967 RSC142 PCC 1041 on Route 88 turns from Bourke Street into Spring Street, 1973 RSC143 L 102 on a tour at Albert Park Beach Terminus, Feb 1972 RSC144 W5 class Nos 833, 834 & 835 in Malvern Depot, c1976 RSC145 W2 No 281 in Wellington Parade on a football very crowded special c1974 RSC146 X1 No 464 Ballarat Road 1960 RSC147 T No 181 bound for the Explosives Factory - at Footscray Station - July 1960 RSC148 T No 181 at Williamstown Road, 1960 RSC149 Cable car set in Alf Twentyman’s back yard, c1970 RSC150 X No 217 at Malvern Depot, c1970 RSC151 X1 No 465 and T No181 Footscray Football ground in Barkly Street. c1960 RSC152 Scrubber No 5 at South Melbourne Depot, c1960 RSC153 X1 No 465 Footscray to Russell Street, c1960 RSC154 X1 No 467 Leeds Street Footscray, 1960 RSC155 PMTT No 4 Glenferrie Road, 1910 RSC156 S No 164 at Malvern Depot c1970 RSC157 T No 178 Footscray c1960 RSC158 Cleaner No. 7 at South Melbourne Depot c1960 RSC159 Two Y classes at Princes Bridge and Batman Avenue mid 1950s RSC160 Swanston Street – Nu color vue slide – M142 Demonstrates the work of Ron Scholten in photography, collection and/or production of duplicate slidesAssembled album in a black presentation folder of 160 colour slides, 8 slide sleeves, collected or produced by Ron Scholten. Many are TMSV or Windsor Publications slides. All photographs have been scanned and placed on the Museum's G drive. A list of all photographs with details has been compiled. melbourne, tramways, trams, cable trams, horse tram, route 67, route 88, route 55, route 64, route 59, route 49, route 50, point ormond, royal park, swanston st, footscray, essendon depot, matthews ave, brunswick depot, glenhuntly depot, malvern depot, st.georges road, preston workshops, pcc class, vr class, w2 class, w3 class, l class, s class, x class, x1 class, k class, z3 class, d1 class, sw6 class, w6 class, w7 class, t class, b1 class, c class, q class, y class, y1 class, w5 class, z1 class, tram 465, tram 181, tram 217, tram 467, tram 164, tram 102, tram 669, tram 667, tram 976, tram 890, tram 558, tram 657, tram 571, tram 484, tram 535, flinders st, tram 980, tram 1041, tram 482, tram 64, tram 104, tram 1, tram 466, tram 680, tram 676, tram 955, tram 92, tram 201, tram 3510, tram 3530, tram 3504, tram 3503, tram 53, tram 588, tram 383, tram 960, tram 32, tram 2042, tram 3016, tram 516, tram 43, tram 463, tram 191, tram 139, tram 469, tram 613, tram 796, tram 258, tram 384

Parade of Allied Service Units, Through City Streets Friday 5th November 1943 - 1.20 to 2.10 pm 9 memos to various inspectors across several depots for the above event from JM Harry , Dist Traffic Superintendent. 2 copies of letter from HS Wootton, Town Clerk, dated 28 October 1946, titled "Arrangements for "Allies' Day" March of Service Units Through the City Streets on Friday 5th November 1943" Australian Military Forces, Vic L of C March Order No. 8/43, dated 1 Nov 43."Mr Harry" written in pencil on march orders.trams, tramways, letters, instructions, events, st kilda rd, city road, swanston st, bourke st, franklin st, elizabeth st, victoria st, clarendon st, queens bridge, collins st, hanna st, spencer st, king st, market st

Princes Bridge Centenary pylons under construction Possibly taken from Young and Jacksons Hotel (formerly Princes Bridge Hotel) on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets, Flinders Street Station’s clocks and main entrance dominate, along with its distinctive copper dome and decorative façade. The time on the main clock is 1.40pm, and the sign underneath, reflecting Melbourne’s upcoming Centenary reads, “We must accommodate our Centenary visitors! Citizens! Do your share by taking paying guests.” At left is the original Princes Bridge Station, today the site of Federation Square. The riverside tram terminus advertises a Café/Tobacconist/Refreshment Room selling cigars & cigarettes, fountain drinks & confectionery, and in smaller text: “Leave your boot repairs here”. Nearly everyone is dressed in dark suits, coats and hats. The footpaths are wide and there are no traffic lights. The roadway stretches towards the Shrine of Remembrance, not yet dedicated but very dominant on the skyline. Government House is clearly visible across the wide parkland that would come to be known as Kings Domain and that is an area of deep importance to the people of the Eastern Kulin. Originally, Birrarung was part of a network of swamps and lagoons linked to the course of the river. From 1896, Public Works Department engineer Carlo Catani, oversaw a new channel to straighten the river and the swamps and lagoons were filled with spoil from the channel works. From the same vantage point today, only the top of the tower of Government House would be visible. The photo captures the pylons along Princes Bridge, mid-construction and being installed to mark Melbourne’s Centenary. The pylons were not without controversy. Both The Argus and The Age bemoaned them for being “made almost entirely of imported softwood timber”, denying work to native hardwood timber workers and sawmillers, and leading visitors to think Australia did not have its own exceptional native hardwoods. The pylons were also variously described in their incomplete state, as unimaginative and resembling an oilfield. Published: The Age 5 September 1934 Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie Photographer notations on slide: "Pylons + St Kilda Rd C57" Published: Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Wednesday 5 September 1934, page 11 Published title: DECORATIONS -- THEN AND NOW. Published caption: "Although not completed yet, some impression of the effect of the decorations on Princes-bridge may be obtained from the first picture which shows the majestic sweep of St Kilda road with the Shrine of Remembrance and Government House dominating the horizon. The area to the left of St. Kilda-road and in front of Government House is portion of the area which it is proposed to call the King's Domain, which extends to Domain-road and Anderson-street..." Description: East-facing, elevated view of Flinders Street Station and Princes Bridge, featuring partially completed pylons erected for Melbourne's Centenary celebrations. The Shrine of Remembrance and Government House can be seen in the distance. In the foreground are trams, cars and trucks, pedestrians, Batman Avenue tram terminus and refreshment rooms. Signage on Flinders Street Station encourages citizens to accommodate Centenary visitors. The Melbourne Centenary was held 1934-35 in celebration John Batman's proclamation that Melbourne "the place for a village". Centenary events included a visit by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. A Centenary Cake measuring 50 feet in height and ten tons in weight was cut into 250,000 pieces and sold at 1 shilling per piece for charity. Spectacular floodlighting of city landmarks, the creation of the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden, and the MacRobertson Air Race from London, were other notable activities. Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie: The photo in The Age collage of 5 September 1934 has a slightly cropped foreground. The original photo has been taken from an elevated vantage point, most probably the roof of the Nicholas Building on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets. The right foreground is dominated by the main “clocks” entrance to Flinders Street Station, showing its distinctive copper dome and decorative façade. The time on the main clock is 1.40 pm. The main sign on the front of the Station reads, "We Must Accommodate our Centenary Visitors! Citizens! Do your share by taking paying guests. Write to The Official Centenary Accommodation Bureau, 436 Collins St. City. Tel M 4671”. Another sign at eye level at the main entrance says: “Cheap Trips on Sundays”. The sign on the end of the roof along the eastern side of the station reads, “The Babies Need Your Help! Support Broadmeadows Foundling Hospital Appeal. July and August”. Run by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, St Joseph’s Foundling Hospital was a purpose built infants’ home for up to 300 babies, plus accommodation for expectant mothers, mainly single women. In the early 1930s, the department (Victorian Children’s Welfare Department) contracted St Joseph’s Foundling Hospital to care for an additional 60 infant state wards, and up to 175 non wards at any given time. In 1931 it also operated a mothercraft training school. The centre foreground shows the commencement of Princes Bridge. Beneath the left side of the bridge was the site of the original Princes Bridge Station, by this time incorporated into Flinders Street Station, and today the area is the site of Federation Square. It was linked to Flinders Street station by the railway tracks that ran underneath the northern approach to the bridge. This photo shows a tram terminus which has a Café/Tobacconist/Refreshment Room, selling cigars & cigarettes, fountain drinks & confectionary, and a sign: Leave your boot repairs here. In the foreground is a wide roadway running south/north, comprising two vehicle lanes each heading north/south, and a central section containing two sets of tram tracks. There are cars, buses and delivery vans on the roadway. The trams visible are Glen Iris (Route No. 6; tram no. 448), Toorak (Route No. 8, tram no. 333), ? (No. 7), ? (No. 1), and ? (No. 2A). The footpaths are extremely wide. There is a square newspaper/magazine stand on the eastern side footpath. And also a “Ferry” sign. There are no traffic lights, but a policeman is visible on the roadway. There are pedestrians – men, women, children, a porter with trolley, women with prams. Clothing comprises dark suits, coats and hats for nearly everyone. There are double headed “Collins Street” lights along the side of the roadway, and along the northern riverbank. The roadway in the foreground is an extension of Swanston Street, which becomes Princes Bridge, then St Kilda Road, stretching towards the Shrine of Remembrance, and diverting past it. The Shrine had not yet been officially dedicated, and looks very white and dominant on the skyline. On the LHS of St Kilda Road, Government House is clearly visible across the wide parkland to be known as Kings Domain. The Kings Domain area is important to the people of the Eastern Kulin nation, and also has historical importance for its association with the early settlement of Melbourne and the foundation of British colonial administration in Victoria. On the southern side of the Yarra River (Birrarung) an historic rowing boathouse is visible, located adjacent to the Alexandra Gardens. Originally Birrarung was part of a network of swamps and lagoons linked to the course of the river. From 1896, under the guidance of engineer Carlo Catani* a new channel to straighten the river was created and the swamps and lagoons were filled with spoil from the channel works. The gardens were then created and completed in time for a Royal visit by the Duke of York in May 1901. The gardens are named after Alexandra of Denmark, the wife of King Edward VII. Both these areas, plus the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Shrine of Remembrance Reserve, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Government House, and the Queen Victoria Gardens together form the Domain Parklands. The extent of the subsequent plantings is evident today, where from the same vantage point only the top of the tower of Government House would be visible. *Catani was born in Florence in 1852, but after arriving in Melbourne worked as a civil engineer for the Victorian Government. His last major project was the reclamation of the foreshore of St Kilda, envisaged in the style of a European resort, complete with a split level esplanade, bathing pavilions, dance halls, amusements and a French-Italian style of landscape complete with palms. The gardens at the end of Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, now bear his name. The historic boathouse visible across the Yarra is another glimpse into Melbourne’s past. “Boathouse Row” comprises 7 amateur rowing clubs, the first established in 1859 (Melbourne University Boat Club). Other Clubs were Richmond, Melbourne, Banks, Melbourne Grammar School, Yarra Yarra and Mercantile. South of the river and west of the bridge is an area today developed into the Melbourne arts precinct of Hamer Hall and the Arts Centre. But at this time it was the home of Wirths Olympia Circus, which comprised Wirths Pleasure Park (an amusement park), a 5,000 seat auditorium – Hippodrome, a roller skating rink, a glaciarium, a cinema, and the Green Mill Dance Hall. Dog shows were also held at Olympia. The Green Mill Dance Hall closed in 1950, and the remainder of the Wirth buildings on site were destroyed by fire in December 1953. The feature of the photo is the pylons erected along Princes Bridge to mark Melbourne’s Centenary in 1934. The sixteen plastered pylons were designed by Roy Prentice, the second person to qualify as an architect at The University of Melbourne’s Bachelor of Architecture degree, in 1933, aged 27. Simon Reeves in his article marking the 100th birthday of Roy Prentice on 20 June 2006 reports that the State Electricity Commission sponsored this work, and the Argus reported that “… the pylons were “illuminated from within to give the effect of soft radiance”. Australia Home Beautiful 1 Oct 1934 reports in a very detailed and comprehensive article: The 10 taller pylons, including flagpole, were 48 ft, with a base of 8 ft. Timber-framed and faced with fibrous plaster and galvanised sheet iron, each structure was securely bolted to a concrete foundation three feet in depth. Panels of glass let into the shaft of each pylon were indirectly lit by 40, 100 watt lamps, and the upper bank of internal lamps were dyed so as to flood the panels with a deep red light. The decorative painted shields and flagpoles/pennants were illuminated by three 200 watt projectors concealed in the roof of each pylon, and were part of an electric night light decoration scheme involving 28 miles of wire to supply more than 20,000 lights. An article in the Argus on 18 October 1934 provided minute detail of the lighting erected in Melbourne for the Centenary, converting it “… into a coloured fairyland by night.” The estimated cost of 10 pounds per hour the lights were on. The display included 800 standard light poles 30 feet high which were tiered with electric bulbs concealed in inverted cones, 138 specially designed “Venetian poles” draped in flags trophies and streamers. The streets included in the electric night light decoration scheme were Bourke Street from Spring to William, the entire length of Collins Street, Flinders Street from Elizabeth to Spring, Lonsdale Street from Elizabeth to Swanston, Swanston and Elizabeth Streets from Flinders to Lonsdale, and parts of Springs and Spencer Streets. Together with the Princes Bridge pylons, approximately 28 miles of wire was required to supply power to the more than 20,000 lights. And that is just in the city of Melbourne. It was estimated the same amount of lighting was duplicated among other local councils. The pylons were not without controversy. The Argus on 28 August 1934 in an article headed “Imported Timber in Pylons” reported that the Princes Bridge pylons are “made almost entirely of imported softwood timber”, and have therefore denied work to native hardwood timber workers and sawmillers. The same day the Melbourne Age ran a similar story, bemoaning the fact that foreign oregon had been used which may lead tourists to think Australia did not have its own exceptional native hardwoods. A Camberwell City Councillor described the pylons as unimaginative, and the Herald reported that skeletons of pylons for the Centenary decorations in their present form led the area to resemble an oilfield! The Yarra River and Princes Bridge have long been a focal point of Melbourne life. In the early days of European settlement in Melbourne a rope-hauled punt carried people across the Yarra River. A surge in population and increased shipping traffic created a need for a bridge. There was difficulty in agreeing on a suitable site for the bridge (options were crossing at Elizabeth, Swanston, Queen or Market Streets), but the NSW Government favoured Swanston Street and the Melbourne Town Council decided on a temporary bridge across the Yarra spanning from the foot of Swanston Street. This first bridge was a single span timber toll bridge designed by Scottish born bridge designer David Lennox, and completed in 1845. It was 120 feet long, had a roadway of 17 feet wide, and a footpath on one side of 4 feet. It was leased to the Melbourne Bridge Company in the name of Robert A Balbirnie. The tollhouse was on the north side of the river and the toll keeper, Patrick Doherty, was credited with saving nine lives during the four years he was in charge of the toll station. The second bridge was stone (completed 1850), and named Prince’s Bridge after the HRH Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. It was designed with an elliptical single arc and an exceedingly small rise in proportion to the span. However, this design created an obstacle for flood waters, and together with Melbourne’s increasing population it was quickly apparent that a new bridge was required. At its opening on 15 November 1850 coincided with the imminent declaration of Victoria as a separate colony, it provided a moment of great celebration for Melbournians and “The opening ceremony was described as the grandest processional display witnessed in the colony.” (ToMelbourne.com.au) Princes Bridge in its present form, as depicted in this photograph, was designed by Jenkins, D’Ebro and Grainger, and constructed in 1886-88 by David Munro. John Grainger (father of Australian composer Percy Grainger) did the majority of the design work for the bridge. The structure was to have three arches each 96 feet wide measured across the river, and the banks on both sides were raised to allow more space for floodwater to flow. St Kilda Road was originally many feet below the current level. The bridge is of architectural significance for its substantial size, giant half columns, extensive use of wrought and cast iron, decorative elements (cast-iron lamps) and the skilled stonemasonry in the construction of the abutments and piers. Its main design features are similar to those of Blackfriars Bridge in London (1870). The bluestones were quarried from Footscray, the Malmsbury stones were from quarries at Kyneton, and the granite from Harcourt. The cost was met by the State of Victoria, City of Melbourne, and six out of seven of its municipalities, and their coats of arms feature on the bridge. The building of the bridge reflected the boom period of Melbourne, including the Victorian gold rush 1851- late 1860s, and its contractor, David Munro, was also responsible for the construction of Queens Bridge and Sandridge Railway Bridge. The Centenary pylons are no longer in place, but today this intersection still plays a major part in Melbourne’s daily life: people still meet “under the clocks” at Flinders Street station, and the route in and out of the city along St Kilda Road is often a feature of parades such as Moomba, the Grand Final Parade, and of course the Anzac Day Parade which commences at the Princes Bridge intersection and finishes at the Shrine of Remembrance. There are many tram routes, which cross the Bridge, and it directs pedestrians towards the Arts Precinct, the various components of Domain Park, plus the Southbank restaurant and rowing precincts. Even though this is a street scene, it feels very intimate; the viewer is instantly immersed in the activity of a Melbourne afternoon, looking down St Kilda Road from a viewpoint near today’s Federation Square. References: DECORATIONS -- THEN AND NOW. (1934, September 5). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205880269 'Flinders Street railway station', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flinders_Street_railway_station 'St Joseph’s Foundling Hospital (1901-75)', Finding Records, Department of Health and Human Services, State of Victoria, https://www.findingrecords.dhhs.vic.gov.au/collectionresultspage/St-JosephsFoundling-Hospital-Babies-Home#departmental-administration 'Alexandra Gardens', City of Melbourne, https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/parks-open-spaces/major-parks-gardens/Pages/alexandra-gardens.aspx 'Wirths Circus', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirth's_Circus 'Roy Prentice: Centenary Architect', Built Heritage Pty Ltd, Simon Reeves, https://www.builtheritage.com.au/downloads/prentice.pdf 'Princes Bridge', Heritage Council Victoria, https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/817 PORT PHILLIP. (1846, April 1). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12886251 'Edward VII', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII 'Princes Bridge', ToMelbourne.com, https://tomelbourne.com.au/princes-bridge/ 'Princes Bridge', eMelbourne, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01189b.htm 'Princes Bridge', Australia for everyone, http://australiaforeveryone.com.au/files/melbourne/princes-bridge.html 'Victorian gold rush', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_gold_rush IMPORTED TIMBER IN PYLONS (1934, August 28). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 9. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10952507 Princes-Bridge Pylons. (1934, August 28). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205532235 Pylons Appear Near Princes Bridge (1934, August 18). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243104375 PRINCES-BRIDGE PYLONS. (1934, September 20). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205873535 28 Miles of Wire (1934, October 18). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 1 (The Junior Argus). Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10977836 'Historical references for Boathouse Row, Melbourne', http://boathouserowmelbourne.com.au/history/ 'ITALIAN DELEGATION TO HONOUR CARLO CATANI, DESIGNER OF THE ST KILDA FORESHORE, St Kilda Historical Society, 2001, https://web.archive.org/web/20070928061938/http://www.skhs.org.au/~SKHSarticles/articles/Carlo_Catani.html# HISTORY IN LIGHTS (1934, July 12). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved September 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243172436 'Dressing Melbourne for the Duke', The Australian home beautiful: a journal for the home builder. Vol 12 No. 10 (1 October 1934), page 21, 58. Retrieved September 14, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2950922209Photographer notations on slide: "Pylons + St Kilda Rd C57".centenaries, bridges, lighting, flinders street railway station