The Dundee Arms was built by John Robertson in 1860, who hailed from Scotland. A timber merchant, he had purchased the plot in 1847 for just over ₤212. Where the deck is now (along the southern wall) which is a quasi beer-garden, was Wharf Lane which joined to the currently non-existing Wharf Street which disappeared with the creation of Day Street in 1906, as a consequence of the massive demolitions caused by the bubonic plague.
The left 1860 image shows the Robertson family posing with their newly-built hotel. John is sitting on the stoop. Note the steep fall-away of Wharf Lane, as it then was. The right 1983 image shows Wharf Lane, and the nearly unrecognisable "Dundee Arms" dressed in its very sad guise as KERMAC House. Wharf Lane is still there behind the cyclone fencing. Wharf Lane is still there today, just beneath some decking, otherwise the lower cellars are inaccessible. |
9 comments:
A good name, and I like the look of the building.
What a lovely railing around that building. Now that's a public house I would love to visit. Excellent vintage photo!
Glad you pointed out the steepness of hill it was built atop of. The present day photos don't show that at all.
Goodness, I'm very happy that this building has been cared for and has its wrought iron again. Thank goodness that 1983 facade is long gone!
Breat then and now pics. It is looking good now.
The Dundee Arms has had many lives Julie. Let us hope it has many more.
Not familiar with this one. I'll have to look for it.
Lovely post Julie. Do you know the source of the c1860 photo?
My apologies. Here is where I located the image http://www.shfa.nsw.gov.au/sydney-About_us-Heritage_role-Heritage_and_Conservation_Register.htm&objectid=156 right down the end of the report. They say here that the image is copyright to the SL-NSW.
The image of its time as Kermac House comes from the archives of the City of Sydney.
Post a Comment