Ever had a memory that flashes in your brain, but you cannot seem to grasp it, to enable closer examination. I have a memory of this 'area'. In 1958, my paternal aunt had a bed-sit in the building on the left. It has been renovated out of recognition, but I have stalked the area, and this is the only candidate. I was 10 and television was oh so new in Sydney. My aunt had her own apartment, and in that apartment was a television. Next to the television was a floor lamp with a scarlet velvet lampshade which cast an eerie red glow. I was very impressed.
Forbes Street runs from Taylor Square in Darlinghurst, across William Street, and into Wooloomooloo where it is stopped by the Plunkett Street housing estate and school. Originally, I guess it to have ended down near the Finger Wharf, about where Harry's Cafe de Wheels stands. It was named in honour of Sir Francis Forbes, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW from 1824 to 1837.
Forbes Street consists of a number of sudden 'dips', and down onto William Street is one of those dips. William Street was widened in 1916 (by demolishing buildings along its south side, the side which now boasts these steps). The steps, built in 1925 totally cut Forbes Street and prohibit vehicular traffic. Mr W.H. Chard was a local land-holder.
