Showing 637 items matching "street lamp"
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City of Ballarat LibrariesPhotograph, Street lamp, Ballarat East
... Street lamp, Ballarat East....Street lamp...This street lamp is located in Barkly Street opposite the East Ballarat Fire Station....Street lamp Barkly Street ballarat East Ballarat Fire Station Street lamp, Ballarat East. ...This street lamp is located in Barkly Street opposite the East Ballarat Fire Station.street lamp, barkly street, ballarat, east ballarat fire station -
Federation University Historical CollectionPhotograph - Colour, Street Lamp at the Ballarat School of Mines, 2011
... Street Lamp at the Ballarat School of Mines, 2011...lamp...Ballarat School of Mines...Castlemaine...Bilmans Foundry...Lydiard Street...Three photographs showing a street lamp in Lydiard Street South. The lamp was made by Billmans Foundry, Castlemaine....Lamp gas lamp Ballarat School of Mines Castlemaine Bilmans Foundry Lydiard Street Three photographs showing a street lamp in Lydiard Street South. ...Billmans Foundry was established in Castlemaine in 1980.Three photographs showing a street lamp in Lydiard Street South. The lamp was made by Billmans Foundry, Castlemaine.lamp, gas lamp, ballarat school of mines, castlemaine, bilmans foundry, lydiard street -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lamp outside Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal Hotel, with street lamp. ...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp hotel lamp Craig's Royal Hotel lighting hotel lamp Colour photograph of Craig's Royal Hotel, with street lamp. ...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal Hotel, with street lamp. street lamp, hotel lamp, craig's royal hotel, lighting, hotel lamp -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat, 2006, 2006
... ...street lamp...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal HOtel, with street lamp. White Subaru Liberty car in shot....Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields Craig's Royal Hotel subaru liberty street lamp Colour photograph of Craig's Royal HOtel, with street lamp. ...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal HOtel, with street lamp. White Subaru Liberty car in shot.craig's royal hotel, subaru liberty, street lamp -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Lamp outside Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal HOtel, with street lamp. White Subaru Liberty car in shot....Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp hotel lamp Colour photograph of Craig's Royal HOtel, with street lamp. ...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal HOtel, with street lamp. White Subaru Liberty car in shot.street lamp, hotel lamp -
Tarnagulla History ArchivePhotograph: Remains of gas street lamp, Tarnagulla
... Photograph: Remains of gas street lamp, Tarnagulla...Photograph: Remains of gas street lamp, Tarnagulla Stokes & Son ...David Gordon Collection. -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph, Lamp outside Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, 2020, 05/2020
... ...lydiard street south...lamp...Colour photograph of a street lamp outside Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, 2020...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields Colour photograph of the street light outside her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat. her majesty's theatre ballarat lydiard street south lamp gas lamp Colour photograph of a street lamp outside Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, 2020 Lamp outside Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, 2020 Photograph Photograph ...Colour photograph of the street light outside her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat.Colour photograph of a street lamp outside Her Majesty's Theatre, Ballarat, 2020her majesty's theatre, ballarat, lydiard street south, lamp, gas lamp -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageFunctional object - Lamp Light, late 19th - early-20th century
... ...street lamp...This was the first instance of street lamps being used in Melbourne. In 1847 the first oil lamp was used in the city. ...Lamp light or gas light. Street light, one of the last gas street lights removed from Melbourne. ...This was the first instance of street lamps being used in Melbourne. In 1847 the first oil lamp was used in the city. ...This gas lamp light and stand came from the original manufacturer in Melbourne. Gas street lights such as this one were used in Melbourne from the mid-19th century. The lights enabled safer after-dark travel for pedestrians and vehicles and were a deterrent to crime. A lamp lighter was employed to keep the lamps lit, sometimes with little success due to weather conditions and the pranks of youths. WARRNAMBOOL Gasworks In Warrnambool prior to 1874 there were about twenty rare, individually lit street lights in Warrnambool, each with its own supply of kerosene. These lamps were in the central business area of Timor, Koroit and Liebig Streets. The Warrnambool Gas Company Ltd. was registered as an incorporated company in 1873. It was a private, locally owned business. It was located at 209-215 Merri Street, Warrnambool, on the land, which is just west of the later-built railway station. The first managers of the Gas Company lived in a substantial stone house on site, but later the managers lived in a residence in Henna Street between Merri and Timor Streets. The original home, which still stands, became a residence for the Railway Station Master from about 1890. In August 1874 the construction of the gasworks was complete and at the end of that month gas was supplied to all of the existing lamps in Warrnambool for the first time. The Warrnambool Gas Company wound up in 1880-1881 and was purchased by the Warrnambool Borough Council with money raised by a loan – the Borough’s first ‘loan transaction’. The Council established a piped network to supply gas to other street connections. The gasworks were privatised and upgraded in 1952. In 1972 the town supply was converted to liquid petroleum gas and by the early 1980s the gasworks were closed down. In 1986 Warrnambool was supplied with natural gas from a site near Port Campbell. The Warrnambool gasworks supplied all street and shop lighting and most domestic lighting until 1923 when electricity was available for lighting. Bromfield Street in Warrnambool was named after the director of the gasworks, James Astley Bromfield (1823-1903). He arrived in Warrnambool from Worcestershire, England, in 1852 and was very active in the local council and community. Cockman Street was named after the first secretary of the gasworks in 1874, Walter Cockman (c.1821-1892). He was a Mayor and businessman. The second Manager, Luther Rodgers, worked for the gas company for about twenty years and both Rodger Place and Rodgers Road in Warrnambool have been named after him. LAMP LIGHTS IN MELBOURNE In the 1820s Melbourne's innkeepers were legally required to have a lamp light outside their premises from sunset to sunrise. This was the first instance of street lamps being used in Melbourne. In 1847 the first oil lamp was used in the city. In 1849 a gas lamp was installed on the Swanston Street Bridge and much of the city had oil lamps installed by then. In August 1857 the installation of street gas lamps began in Melbourne. They were welcomed for the much brighter illumination they gave. By 1860 there were 414 lamp pillars. The phrase was quoted often - "A light was as good as a policeman". The first gas burners used for street lighting were called 'fishtail' gas burners. These were replaced in the early 1900s by gas mantles. The City of Melbourne Gas Coke Company was formed in 1850 but due to the Gold Rush the manufacture and distribution of the gas supply was delayed until January 1856. By the 1890s the gas supplying the lights was supplied by three companies in Melbourne. In 1879 a football match was played at the MCG under electric lighting and gradually electric arc lights were installed inside and outside buildings in the city. Lamp lights such as the one in Flagstaff Hill’s collection were no longer needed. (References: John Lindsay re Lamp Light history 2019-01-29, Former Warrnambool Gas Company Limited, Victorian Heritage Database Report, Heritage Number 149746 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/149746/download-report ) The lamp light is representative of the lamps used in Melbourne from the mid-nineteenth century to light the streets at night and make Melbourne a safer city. The lamp is also representative of the gas street lighting in Warrnambool from the mid-1870s-1920s.Lamp light or gas light. Street light, one of the last gas street lights removed from Melbourne. (Reconditioned by Friends of Flagstaff Hill, 2013)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, lamp light, gas light, gas lamp, street lamp, street light, gas street light, melbourne street lighting, warrnambool street lighting, melbourne gas street light, warrnambool gas company, warrnambool gasworks, james bromfield, walter cockman, luther rodgers, city of melbourne gas coke company -
Eltham District Historical Society IncNegative - Photograph, Main Road, Eltham, looking south from Bridge Street, 1906-1907
... ...Street Lamp...Note also the gas street lamp on right. Watson's Hotel on corner of Pitt Street visible in distance. ...Note also the gas street lamp on right. Watson's Hotel on corner of Pitt Street visible in distance. ...Looking south along Main Road from the south side of the intersection of Bridge Street with Main Road. Anne Hunniford's Post Office and Burgoyne's store on left. Miss Harriet (Minnie) Williams's Cash Drapery Mart (est. 1902 and enlarged in 1906), also known as Eltham House on the right. Harriet (Minnie) Williams was born London, 1857, the daughter of George John Williams (1812-1895) and Jane Mansfield (1812-1895). In September 1885 she was operating Williams’s Drapery Establishment in premises on Main Road owned by R. Wallis who advertised them to let in September 1885. In 1902 she opened Williams’s Cash Drapery Mart at the southwest corner of Bridge Street and Main Road (opposite the Post Office), owned by W.J. Taylor. In 1906 she bought the premises and one quarter acre of land and expanded the business with a re-opening in April 1906. Harriet was also well-known and esteemed as an active worker in Methodist circles and also Superintendent of the Sunday School. Harriet fell ill in August 1907 and died 15 August. She is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her good friend Ada Ford. Note also the gas street lamp on right. Watson's Hotel on corner of Pitt Street visible in distance. The CBA bank building is hidden behind trees, the chimney and part roof visible. The photo was possibly taken by John Henry Clark of Clark Bros Photographers who operated from 25 Thompson Street, Windsor near Prahan 1894-1914. Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), Friday 30 March 1906, page 5 ________________________________________ ELTHAM. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) For over three years Miss Williams has carried on a drapery business in very small and inconvenient premises opposite the Eltham post-office. Recently she bought the building and a quarter-acre of land from Mr. W. J. Taylor. Thus having a free hand, she at once matured plans to enlarge and improve the premises to make them suitable for her growing business. The result being that she consulted Mr Roach, contractor, of Heidelberg, put the matter in his hands, and now he has completed in a very satisfactory manner and up-to-date style extensive improvements. A large addition, of very neat and attractive design, with three large windows, has been built right along the front of the old building, and the counters and inside fittings are very neat and convenient, harmonizing well with the attractive outside appearance. Miss Williams has now got in a large now stock of goods, and is making extensive arrangements for a “reopening week," commencing 2nd April, during which time she will make 10 per cent reduction on all cash purchases in the form of gifts of that value. Miss Williams has gone to considerable expense and liability both, in the enlargement and improvement of the premises and in purchasing additional stock. We therefore trust that the public will stand by her by heartily and en masse patronizing her re-opening effort to show their appreciation of pluck in this advance movement. Google Street View Feb 2017: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.7191341,145.1462046,3a,50.5y,191.91h,88.27t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sARwwqEQfMSfH9oTWWapPgQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (x2) 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg B&W Print 16 x 25 cmsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, anne jane hunniford, burgoyne store, christopher watson, commercial bank of australia, drapery store, eltham house, gas lamp, harriet (minnie) williams, post office, street lamp, watson's hotel, williams's cash drapery mart, clark bros. photo -
Stawell Historical Society IncMemorabilia - Realia, c1870
... Kerosene Street Lamp from Patrick Street. Used c1870 to 1900...Stawell Historical Society Inc 46 Longfield St Stawell grampians Stawell Kerosene Street Lamp from Patrick Street. Used c1870 to 1900 Memorabilia Realia ...Kerosene Street Lamp from Patrick Street. Used c1870 to 1900stawell -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation SocietyLegal record - Contract - South Melbourne Gas Company, Street Lighting, Sandridge, 8 May 1873
... Contract from the South Melbourne Gas Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1873....Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society Port Melbourne Town Hall 333 Bay Street Port Melbourne melbourne utilities - gas south melbourne gas & coke company Contract from the South Melbourne Gas Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1873. Legal record Contract - South Melbourne Gas Company, Street Lighting, Sandridge ...Contract from the South Melbourne Gas Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1873.utilities - gas, south melbourne gas & coke company -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation SocietyLegal record - Contract - South Melbourne Gas Company, Street Lighting, Sandridge, 8 Jun 1876
... Contract from the South Melbourne Gas Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1876....Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society Port Melbourne Town Hall 333 Bay Street Port Melbourne melbourne utilities - gas south melbourne gas & coke company Metropolitan Gas company seal also on contract Contract from the South Melbourne Gas Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1876. Legal record Contract - South Melbourne Gas Company, Street Lighting, Sandridge ...Contract from the South Melbourne Gas Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1876.Metropolitan Gas company seal also on contractutilities - gas, south melbourne gas & coke company -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation SocietyLegal record - Contract, City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge, 2 Jun 1870
... Contract from the City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1870...Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society Port Melbourne Town Hall 333 Bay Street Port Melbourne melbourne utilities - gas city of melbourne gas & coke company Contract from the City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1870 Legal record Contract, City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge ...Contract from the City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1870utilities - gas, city of melbourne gas & coke company -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation SocietyLegal record - Contract, City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge, 14 Mar 1865
... Contract from the City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1865...Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society Port Melbourne Town Hall 333 Bay Street Port Melbourne melbourne utilities - gas city of melbourne gas & coke company Contract from the City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1865 Legal record Contract, City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge ...Contract from the City of Melbourne Gas & Coke Company for lighting street lamps in Sandridge 1865utilities - gas, city of melbourne gas & coke company -
Eltham District Historical Society IncNegative - Photograph, Main Road, New Cutting Nearing Eltham, c.1908
... ...Street Lamp...It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years. sepp shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection eltham main road Gas Lamp Street Lamp horse drawn vehicles bakery old bakery cottage Shillinglaw Cottage Shillinglaw Trees Clark Bros. ...Looking north from the corner of Bridge street The photo was possibly taken by John Henry Clark of Clark Bros Photographers who operated from 25 Thompson Street, Windsor near Prahan 1894-1914.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (x2) 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, gas lamp, street lamp, horse drawn vehicles, bakery, old bakery cottage, shillinglaw cottage, shillinglaw trees, clark bros. photo -
Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage CollectionPhotograph - type C photograph, Georgina Campbell, Magic snow, 2013
... ...street lamp...Bayside Gallery - Bayside City Council Art & Heritage Collection Corner Wilson and Carpenter Streets Brighton melbourne snow iceland street scene photograph georgina campbell type c photograph night street lamp type C photograph Magic snow Photograph type C photograph Georgina Campbell ...type C photographsnow, iceland, street scene, photograph, georgina campbell, type c photograph, night, street lamp -
City of Ballarat LibrariesPhotograph - Card Box Photographs, View east along Bridge Street, Ballarat circa 1890
... ...Street Lamp...Bridge Street Cocking & Skewes Bucks Head Hotel C.Morris Streetscape Street Lamp Commerical Building Vehicle View east along Bridge Street, Ballarat circa 1890. ...Along the street are Cocking & Skewes, the Bucks Head Hotel and C. Morris, Hatter.bridge street, cocking & skewes, bucks head hotel, c.morris, streetscape, street lamp, commerical, building, vehicle -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel from Bath's Lane, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp hotel lamp Colour photograph of Craig's Royal Hotel, stables entrance in Bath Lane. ...Colour photograph of Craig's Royal Hotel, stables entrance in Bath Lane. street lamp, hotel lamp -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Photograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat, c2015
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields Craig's Royal Hotel was the first licensed hotel in Ballarat and was established by Thomas Bath. street lamp architecture Craig's Royal Hotel hotels Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Craig's Royal Hotel was the first licensed hotel in Ballarat and was established by Thomas Bath.Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture, craig's royal hotel, hotels -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Ballarat Heritage ServicesPhotograph - Colour, Lisa Gervasoni, Craig's Royal Hotel, Ballarat
... street lamp...Ballarat Heritage Services PO Box 2209 Bakery Hill Post Office goldfields street lamp architecture Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. ...Colour photograph of the architectural detail of Craig's Royal Hotel. street lamp, architecture -
Eltham District Historical Society IncPhotograph, Diamond Creek Bridge, Eltham North, c.1920
... ...Street Lamp...lamps on Eltham's main thoroughfares were progressively phased out during the 1920s. The district steadily transitioned to electricity, which allowed for developments like the installation of modern electrical wiring at the local fire station on Arthur Street by 1928. ...Construction was not fully complete when on Sunday, 20 September 1959, heavy flooding occurred in the stream and at 3:53 pm the old bridge was washed away forever. eltham north wattletree road coleman crescent bridges Diamond Creek (Creek) Bridge Carbide streetlamp Floodwater Glen Park Bridge Street Lamp Glen Park Road Glen Park Estate Photograph copy Diamond Creek Bridge, Eltham North Photograph ...View looking east across the Glen Park Bridge and the railway crossing towards Main Road circa 1920. The bridge was originally built as a replacement for an older private bridge built by a man named Foley around 1880. In 1911 Heidelberg and Eltham agreed to share the costs to build a new bridge (the Diamond Creek was the border between the two). Construction began in June 1915 and it was officially opened by Cr. Taylor on Cup Day, November 1915. This photo, dated around 1920, is of the Glen Park Bridge crossing over the Diamond Creek about 50 metres north of the present-day Wattletree tree Road Bridge. Glen Park Road intersected Main Rain Road along an alignment following present day Coleman Cresent. In this this picture we see the narrow wooden bridge over a high flowing Diamond Creek at Glen Park, now Eltham North. In the background is a railway crossing sign. There is a self-contained carbide streetlamp situated in front of the bridge. In the early 1900s, carbide (acetylene gas) streetlamps emerged as a lighting technology for regional towns across Victoria, Australia, before municipal electricity grids were widely established. During the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, major hubs like Melbourne relied on centralized coal-gas infrastructure. However, small regional Victorian shires lacked the funds or population density to build large gasworks. When the commercial production of calcium carbide became viable around 1900, it offered a quantum leap in brightness over traditional kerosene streetlamps. Acetylene gas burned with an intense, crisp white flame—significantly brighter than oil or candles. Many rural towns used self-contained lampposts. A lamplighter had to climb each post daily to manually place calcium carbide pellets in a lower chamber and fill an upper chamber with water. The water dripped onto the carbide, producing acetylene gas to feed the burner. Lamplighters carefully measured the fuel amounts so the chemical reaction would naturally exhaust itself and "turn off" around midnight. While carbide streetlights provided unparalleled visibility for early motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, they were incredibly labour-intensive and inherently volatile. The gas was highly explosive, prone to leaks, and left behind a pungent, sulphur-like odour. By the end of World War I, local Victorian councils rapidly phased out acetylene infrastructure in favour of safer, independent electric powerhouse generators. In the context of Eltham's local history, the Eltham Shire and surrounding Yarra Valley region actively relied on carbide streetlamps and kerosene lighting during the early 20th century before the expansion of the Melbourne electric grid. Eltham was an outer-rural, heavily timbered farming and orchard district at the turn of the century, it faced unique civic infrastructure challenges. In rural Eltham, early streetlamps were exceptionally sparse. The community relied heavily on "innkeeper laws" which dictated local hotels—such as the historic Eltham Hotel—were legally required to keep external oil, kerosene, or acetylene lamps burning through the night to illuminate the main roads for travellers and coaches. The volatile carbide and kerosene lamps on Eltham's main thoroughfares were progressively phased out during the 1920s. The district steadily transitioned to electricity, which allowed for developments like the installation of modern electrical wiring at the local fire station on Arthur Street by 1928. The Glen Park Bridge was a low structure and subject to flooding readily. In 1959 Eltham Council erected a new crossing over the Diamond Creek and realigned the road to the present-day Wattletree Road Bridge. Construction was not fully complete when on Sunday, 20 September 1959, heavy flooding occurred in the stream and at 3:53 pm the old bridge was washed away forever.Photograph copy eltham north, wattletree road, coleman crescent, bridges, diamond creek (creek), bridge, carbide streetlamp, floodwater, glen park bridge, street lamp, glen park road, glen park estate
