Historical information
The donor George Lister Coop was about 21 years of age when he took this photo. It is one of a small series of photos donated by him that relate to Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations. He has always had an interest in railways and there are other examples of his documentation of railway history in other collections contributing to this database.
R J Mercer was the butcher at 112 Union Road. This property has a long history of being a butcher's shop beginning from c1904. He took over from Edward Lloyd in 1951.
Spotless Dry Cleaners were at 104 Union Road.
Significance
This is an important photo as there are few known colour images of the station prior to the installation of the third line in the early 1970s, which resulted in the demolition of the station built in 1883. It is also significant as a record of the housing along the south side of Stirling Crescent which was later replaced by light industry.
Physical description
A digital colour photo of Surrey Hills railway station taken from the overhead pedestrian footbridge looking towards Canterbury. Both tracks and the verandas on either side of the line can be seen, as can the railway gates in the open position and the signal box, beside which is a large palm tree. A section of red goods vans are positioned in the adjacent goods yard. Some of the businesses and advertising hoardings in Union Road can be seen in the background. These include A Doubleday (real estate agents), R J Mer..., grocer, baker, Spotless Dry Cleaning, Robur tea and Lipton tea (part of only). A number of the Edwardian houses along the south side of Stirling Crescent are also seen.
