Historical information
Construction of the new concrete bridge over the Diamond Creek on Main Road, Eltham, c.May 1926. Viewed from present day Wingrove Park.
The original long suspension bridge over the Diamond Creek on Main Road at Eltham collapsed during flooding of the Diamond Creek on October 13 and 14, 1923. The original bridge was built around 1840 for the coach road when Cobb & Co.'s coach was the only conveyance between Eltham and Melbourne. Widespread damage was done in Melbourne and surrounding areas by floods resulting from the overflow of the Yarra at many points along its banks. A temporary bridge rigged up was severely damaged by the flooding of the creek and was closed to vehicular traffic in April 1924. A new concrete bridge was constructed to replace it and by May 1926 all the concrete piles and abutments had been completed. The bridge was finally completed and opened for traffic in September 1926, almost three years after it initially collapsed.
Significance
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
Print 9 x 12.5 cm
Subjects
References
- ELTHAM. (1923, October 19). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 2 (AFTERNOON). The original bridge fell in to the creek at one end during flooding (Oct. 1923)
- YARRA FLOOD (1923, October 15). News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), p. 7 (HOME EDITION). The bridge over the Diamond Creek on the main road at Eltham has collapsed. The bridge was 80 years old, having been built for the coach road when. Cobb & Co.'s coach was the only conveyance between Eltham and Melbourne.
- FLOODS IN MELBOURNE. (1923, October 20). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 34. Widespread damage was done in Melbourne and surrounding areas by floods resulting from the overflow of the Yarra at many points along its banks on October 13 and 14. The long suspension bridge near Eltham was torn down by the force of the flood waters.
- ELTHAM. (1924, April 4). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 3 (AFTERNOON) The temporary bridge across the Diamond Creek on the main road was severely damaged by the flooding of the creek, and was closed to vehicular traffic.
- ELTHAM. (1926, May 14). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 2 (AFTERNOON). NEW CONCRETE BRIDGE. 14 May 1926 The new concrete bridge, spanning the Diamond Creek, on the main Melbourne road, is now approaching completion. All the concrete piles and abutments have been completed, and flood waters will now hinder the work -but little. The bridge, when completed, will be handsome, as well as a serviceable structure.
