Historical information

This photograph depicts Emerald Main Street in 1907, still unpaved and traversed by horses more than cars. Mr. W. Moffat's general store is in the background on the right. The year after this photograph was taken, bushfires would threaten Moffat's store, (along with other stores and homes, on top of the church and the railway sleepers) which was ignited several times but not destroyed.

According to Old Ferntree Gully Shire History, the man in the horsecart is David Charman, early Emerald resident and namesake of Charman Avenue.

This is a copy of an original; part of a stamp on an older copy is cut off in the top right of the photograph. Additionally, another copy of this photograph is in our collection.

Significance

This photograph captures a much earlier Emerald Main Street, almost unrecognisable today.

Physical description

A black and white photograph at the center of a labelled card backing. The photograph depicts a wide dirt road, with a horse and cart traversing the center of the road. There are buildings - mostly shops - on either side, amidst trees. A hill rises in the background.

Inscriptions & markings

Top: "Main Street, Emerald"
Bottom: "1907"