Hyde Park - A road runs through it

Taken in 2013 from Sydney Tower. A better view of Macquarie St is impeded by buildings.

There was Macquarie Street. There was Macquarie Street North. And there was Macquarie Street South. Macquarie Street North still runs from the Opera House Forecourt to Bent St (the State Library corner). Macquarie Street runs from Bent St to Prince Albert Road/St James Road. Macquarie Street South no longer exists. The stretch from Liverpool Street down to Wentworth Ave was renamed Commonwealth St in 1905. It had appeared on the original subdivision of the Fosterville Estate in 1843 as Macquarie St. There was a Little Macquarie St parallel to Commonwealth St, but it was renamed Alberta St in 1896. I do not know when the road running north-south through Hyde Park was removed, but my guess would be around the turn of the century.

Left: View of Macquarie St 1842, (John Rae)(State Library NSW) Right: View of Macquarie St, 1830-1850 (Ellis)(State Library NSW)

I was amazed when I found the above two sketches of an early Hyde Park. I had no idea that Macquarie Street had bisected it. Park street bisected the park east-west in 1831. Park St, in the guise of William Street, ran up to Kings Cross from 1834. So, from 1831 to close to the end of the 19th century, Hyde Park was split into quadrants. No wonder Macquarie Street was truncated!

Hyde Park (2007) commissioned from Airview by Dictionary of Sydney

I am indebted to the City of Sydney, for their excellent "History of Sydney Streets"

Glorious sandstone

ABOVE: Walking down the other side of Loftus Street. making this facade part of the Lands Building. Keeping in mind that these images were taken on 2nd January, and the teeming hordes were not in the city yet after their night of festivities. This is the block around the Department of Education building. Remember, this building is flanked by Bridge Street, Loftus Street, Bent Street, and Young Street.

What has gotten into me? Glorious sandstone, and I show the images in B&W. Grilled windows in Loftus Street. Grilled windows in Youmg Street. Wrought iron door grill in Bent Street. BELOW:This young chap was picking his way down Loftus Street to Circular Quay.

Cabbage Tree Palm, Farrer Place

As you can see from the clock tower on the Lands Department Building in the second image, I have not moved far from yesterday's image. Spring Street segues into Bent Street. The building up close in the second image is known as the Education Departmebt Building, even though this facade has "Dept of Agriculture" carved in stone above the door. William Farrer (1845-1906) was a research scientist who did much to improve the wheat crop in Australia. This plaza was named in his honour in 1935. The Cabbage Tree Palm is 'livistona australis', which grows up to 30 metres in height. Prior to European settlement, it dominated the vegetation of the Sydney area, and the City Council is replanting whereever possible. More about this part of Sydney, the government and bureaucratic hub, tomorrow.