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in Places & People

What Sydney looked like in the 1890s

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The 1890s was a time of significant change and growth in Sydney, Australia. The city’s population had grown rapidly, and new opportunities and challenges came with this growth. The economy was booming, and many new businesses and industries were established. The city’s infrastructure was also expanding, with new buildings, roads, and transportation systems being constructed.

One of the most noticeable changes in the city during this time was the growth of the working-class population. Many new immigrants arrived in Sydney, seeking better opportunities and a better life. The city’s working-class population lived in densely populated areas, often crowded and unsanitary. This was a significant concern for health officials struggling to control outbreaks of diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, and cholera.

The city’s wealthy population also grew during this time, with many new homes being built in the suburbs. The suburbs were seen as a place of luxury and comfort, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The wealthy population of Sydney enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, with many of the luxuries that came with wealth, such as fine dining, entertainment, and shopping.

The 1890s also saw the development of new forms of transportation in Sydney. The city’s first electric tram system was established, providing residents with a fast and convenient way to travel around the city. The introduction of the tram system was a major milestone in the city’s development, and it helped transform the way people lived and worked.

Despite Sydney’s many changes and developments during the 1890s, the city also faced significant challenges. The economic boom was not without its downsides, and many people found themselves struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment was high, and many people were forced to live in poverty. The city’s working-class population was especially vulnerable, and many were forced to rely on public assistance to get by.

#1 King and Elizabeth Street corner from Sydney, 1890

King and Elizabeth Street corner from Sydney, 1890

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#2 An aviary from Sydney, 1880s

An aviary from Sydney, 1880s

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#3 Children in street from Sydney, 1885

Children in street from Sydney, 1885

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#4 Group of people from Sydney, 1885

Group of people from Sydney, 1885

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#5 Advertising hoarding from Sydney, 1886

Advertising hoarding from Sydney, 1886

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#6 Street scene from Sydney, 1887

Street scene from Sydney, 1887

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#7 A chimney sweep walking across Pyrmont Bridge Sydney, 1888

A chimney sweep walking across Pyrmont Bridge Sydney, 1888

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#8 Street scene from Sydney, 1888

Street scene from Sydney, 1888

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#9 Woman selling fruit from small barrow Sydney, 1880s

Woman selling fruit from small barrow Sydney, 1880s

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#10 Street scene. Phillip Street, 1885-90 Sydney, 1880s

Street scene. Phillip Street, 1885-90 Sydney, 1880s

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#11 Group of people, Sydney, 1889

Group of people, Sydney, 1889

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#12 People at Circular Quay Sydney, 1889

People at Circular Quay Sydney, 1889

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#13 Horsedrawn ambulance outside Civil Ambulance & Transport Brigade headquarters, corner of George & Pitt Sts opposite the Benevolent Asylum, now Central Square, 1889

Horsedrawn ambulance outside Civil Ambulance & Transport Brigade headquarters, corner of George & Pitt Sts opposite the Benevolent Asylum, now Central Square, 1889

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#14 Small band playing in street from Sydney, 1890

Small band playing in street from Sydney, 1890

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#15 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

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#16 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

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#17 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

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#18 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

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#19 Group of people from Sydney, 1889

Group of people from Sydney, 1889

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#20 Group of people from Sydney, 1889

Group of people from Sydney, 1889

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#21 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

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#22 Children in street from Sydney, 1889

Children in street from Sydney, 1889

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#23 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

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#24 Farm scene from Sydney, 1889

Farm scene from Sydney, 1889

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#25 Girl with pet duck on lead from Sydney, 1889

Girl with pet duck on lead from Sydney, 1889

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#26 Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

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#27 Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

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#28 Advertising hoarding for McLean, Rigg from Sydney, 1880s

Advertising hoarding for McLean, Rigg from Sydney, 1880s

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#29 Manly Ferry Wharf from Sydney, 1880s

Manly Ferry Wharf from Sydney, 1880s

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#30 Railway work shops, Sydney, 1871

Railway work shops, Sydney, 1871

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#31 Governor Bourke Hotel from Sydney, 1870s

Governor Bourke Hotel from Sydney, 1870s

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#32 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney, 1875

Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney, 1875

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#33 National Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1899

National Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1899

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#34 Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, June 1893

Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, June 1893

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#35 Pechey family, Craigend, Darlinghurst, 1882

Pechey family, Craigend, Darlinghurst, 1882

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#36 The Gap, Sydney, 1880

The Gap, Sydney, 1880

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#37 Wynyard Square, 1897

Wynyard Square, 1897

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#38 St Mary’s Cathedral, 1897

St Mary's Cathedral, 1897

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#39 University of Sydney, 1897

University of Sydney, 1897

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#40 Sydney Town Hall, 1897

Sydney Town Hall, 1897

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#41 General Post Office, 1897

General Post Office, 1897

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#42 Queen’s Statue, 1897

Queen's Statue, 1897

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#43 Manly Beach, 1897

Manly Beach, 1897

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#44 Royal Botanic Gardens, 1897

Royal Botanic Gardens, 1897

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#45 Circular Quay, 1897

Circular Quay, 1897

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#46 Hyde Park, 1897

Hyde Park, 1897

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#47 Sydney Hospital, 1897

Sydney Hospital, 1897

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#48 St. Andrew’s Cathedral, 1897

St. Andrew's Cathedral, 1897

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#49 Sydney Observatory, 1897

Sydney Observatory, 1897

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#50 Park entrance, Parramatta, 1897

Park entrance, Parramatta, 1897

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#51 Lavender Bay, 1897

Lavender Bay, 1897

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#52 Carts parked along the sidewalk with a small wooden shed atop a mound of earth

Carts parked along the sidewalk with a small wooden shed atop a mound of earth

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#53 The Parramatta River at Sydney, 1890.

The Parramatta River at Sydney, 1890.

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#54 Circular Quay in Sydney, 1890

Circular Quay in Sydney, 1890

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#55 Sydney street with steam powered tram and horse carriages, 1890s

Sydney street with steam powered tram and horse carriages, 1890s

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#56 Sydney Museum. 1890s

Sydney Museum. 1890s

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#57 Sydney Ferry LEIPOA Perdriau’s Balmain ferries, 1890s

Sydney Ferry LEIPOA Perdriau's Balmain ferries, 1890s

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#58 Sydney, Government House. 1890s

Sydney, Government House. 1890s

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#59 Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, 1893

Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, 1893

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#60 Sydney Cove wool stores, east side, 1890

Sydney Cove wool stores, east side, 1890

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#61 ‘The Departure of Lord and Lady Carrington from Sydney for England, 1890s

'The Departure of Lord and Lady Carrington from Sydney for England, 1890s

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#62 Harbor view, Sydney, 1890s

Harbor view, Sydney, 1890s

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#63 Circular Quay, Sydney, 1890s

Circular Quay, Sydney, 1890s

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#64 Town Hall, Sydney, 1890s

Town Hall, Sydney, 1890s

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#65 General Post Office, Sydney, 1890s

General Post Office, Sydney, 1890s

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#66 Children in street from Sydney, 1885

Children in street from Sydney, 1885

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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4 Comments

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William Taylor says:

September 22, 2023 at 21:13 Copy Link of a Comment

The world has changed so much in the last 150 years. In 150 years from now, there will be millions of hours of HD footage from what it was like now.

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- Charlie Chaplin says:
  
  September 22, 2023 at 21:14 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  Slightly different shorelines.
  
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  - Eddie the Eagle says:
    
    September 22, 2023 at 21:14 Copy Link of a Comment
    
    laughs in Melbournian
    
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Valeria Hernández says:

September 22, 2023 at 21:14 Copy Link of a Comment

Despite living in an 1890s home, I haven’t really gotten a sense of the general Sydney vibe until looking through all these 🙂 really interesting stuff! I giggled when I saw the little girl walking her duck

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