Historical information
It is noted in the Reynolds Prior collection (Ivy Reynolds) as the first bridge in Eltham however given the current state of knowledge, this is considered unlikely and there is no other supporting source.
John Hunter Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of John Wright Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. It is possible that the bidge may have crossed the Diamond Creek to Langland's land along the original alignment of Glen Park Road which used to run between present day Progress Road and Coleman Crescent.
SEPP Source (c.1970): Mrs. E.R. Reynolds, Thompson Crescent, Research
Significance
The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research.
The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago.
lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family.
Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light.
The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage.
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.
Physical description
Digital image
4 x 5 inch B&W Neg
B&W print
