Historical information

Demolition appears to be under way in this image of the Alfred Hall. It was built in 1862 for the visit of Queen Victoria's son Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh, across the Yarrowee (which formed the municipal boundary) apparently because the municipalities of Ballarat and Ballarat East could not decide who should have the honour! The Alfred Hall held many of the city's events over 89 years, but was symbolically locked up the day the Civic Hall in Mair Street was officially opened, in August 1956.

Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.