Located, as it is, on a glistening harbour and founded, as it was, by convicts, Sydney is a fairly hedonistic place with a populace so laid back as to be nearly comatose. However, there is one section of this city that is solemn and takes my breath with every step.
Martin Place acquired its status in the 1880s when our civic fathers built the third version of the colony's General Post Office (GPO). Sir James Martin had been the State Premier three times and then became the Chief Justice. At that point Martin Place only had the 'solemn' end, the section from Pitt to Castlereagh being called Moore St (named after Sir Charles Moore, the Lord Mayor) and the section from Castlereagh to Macquarie still occupied by offices and tenements.
The solemn bit came with the installation of the Cenotaph on Anzac Day 1927. The road became a pedestrian plaza in 1971.
7 comments:
I love it when you post old pictures with your new ones Julie!
I love the story that is told. I never understand the British way of thinking though, "lets send our convicts from our wet cold island, to a wonderful island paradise!"
Just saying!
I always love looking at how much things have changed from the old shots to the new shots. You've done well to capture it from every angle.
The pictures are very beautiful!
I particularly like the angle of the top shot. I love the buildings along Martin Place, so beautifully formal.
Great comparison of the then and now pictures. Even in the 'then' shot were a few people.
Terrific post, makes my pulse quicken, really!
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