Historical information

In late 1919, the Country Roads Board approved an amendment of the Belgrave-Emerald Road between Gembrook Road (likely now Old Gembrook Road) in Emerald and Paradise (now Clematis) Station. This image shows part of those works, where they intersected with Ogilvy Road. Public works projects such as road constructions were popular in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, when many men returned home without work and were eager to earn a living by participating in government projects.

Significance

This image represents an infrastructure project from the 1920s that helped to build the Emerald of today. It displays the tools and technology available for public works projects in the early 20th century, and the manner in which road construction occurred.

Physical description

A sepia photograph on card backing depicting a road construction project. The workers are relying on horses and manual labour to build a road amongst trees and hills. The lower-left corner of the photograph is damaged and faded, with some damage and the photo peeling away from the backing along the left side as a whole. The rear has some handwritten text, with some illegible.

Inscriptions & markings

Rear: "Mr O'Connor / 12 / date / Clematis / Making the Road to Clematis / 1920?"