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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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#4 Group of people from Sydney, 1885

Group of people from Sydney, 1885

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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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#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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#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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#16 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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#22 Children in street from Sydney, 1889

Children in street from Sydney, 1889

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#26 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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#32 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney, 1875

Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney, 1875

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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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#36 The Gap, Sydney, 1880

The Gap, Sydney, 1880

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#39 University of Sydney, 1897

University of Sydney, 1897

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#42 Queen’s Statue, 1897

Queen's Statue, 1897

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#46 Hyde Park, 1897

Hyde Park, 1897

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#49 Sydney Observatory, 1897

Sydney Observatory, 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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#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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#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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#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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#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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