At the turn of the 20th century, Sydney was home to more than a million people, and its streets were bustling with commuters, horse-drawn wagons, and trams. Many tramways, railways, and ferry routes linked the inner-city to an expanding network of suburban suburbs. Sydney led the nation during rapid growth; the country was transitioning from steam power to electricity. The Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed on January 1, 1901, making Sydney the capital of New South Wales, no longer a colonial capital.
The Rocks and Surry Hills were razed and rebuilt in large parts. Several parts of Darling Harbour were abandoned and redeveloped to handle the tons of goods now passing through the port of Sydney since the existing facilities were not sufficient. The city’s transportation infrastructure was considered a whole for the first time and included the expansion of roads, railways, and harbor facilities. A proposal was made to electrify and extend the railway network, which eventually became a reality. Sydney Harbour became a vital investment due to a permanent link between its north and south shores. An alternative to the high-density Victorian housing that fell out of favor after the outbreak of the plague was the creation of model suburbs inspired by contemporary housing developments in Europe and North America. In translating concepts into reality, some of the ideologies got lost, but the essence of a better, new place remained. The city continued to grow, and its significant growth areas were along the railway lines and tram lines to a lesser extent. With the growth of suburban developments along Parramatta Road and the western railway line, the North Shore resembled suburban rather than rural areas. These developments eventually merged with those around Parramatta, forming the North Shore today. There was a fusion of settlements in the north, the west, and the south and north of Sydney Harbour.
Sydney’s beaches had been popular seaside vacation spots during the 19th century; however, daylight sea swimming was considered indecent until the early 20th century. On October 10, 1902, William Gocher, wearing a neck-to-knee costume, defied these restrictions by entering the water at Manly Beach, only to be removed by police. In the year following, Manly Council lifted its restrictions on all-day bathing – provided swimsuits covering your neck to knees were worn – and Sydney’s love affair with sun and surf flourished. The world’s first surf lifesaving club was founded at Bondi Beach, Sydney, in 1906.
Below are some fascinating historical photos that show what Sydney looked like in the early 20th century.
#1 General Post Office
#2 Art Gallery of New South Wales
#3 Bathurst Street from George Street
#4 Approach to Central Railway
#5 Argyle Cut, Sydney
#6 Bayswater Road, Darlinghurst
#7 Erskine Street
#8 Pitt Street, near Spring Street
#9 Barrack Street
#10 Belmore Markets
#11 Brickfield Hill
#12 Bridge Street at Exchange
#13 Bridge Street from George Street
#14 Bridge Street, from Government House gates
#15 Bridge Street
#16 Church Hill from Pettys Hotel
#17 Circular Quay at Orient Wharf
#18 Colonial Sugar Co. offices
#19 Druitt Street
#20 Electric Tram, George Street, David Jones Corner
#21 Electric trams, Brickfield Hill
#22 Electric trams, George Street, David Jones corner
#23 Elizabeth Street showing Jewish Synagogue
#24 Elizabeth Street
#25 Elizabeth Street and Supreme Court
#26 Elizabeth Street from Hyde Park
#27 Exchange corner, Pitt Street, Sydney
#28 Fire Station, Castlereagh Street
#29 Free Public Library
#30 General Post Office, Sydney
#31 Exchange Corner, Bridge Street
#32 George Street, by Town Hall
#33 George Street and GPO
#34 George Street at GPO
#35 George Street at Haymarket
#36 George Street at Hunter Street
#37 George Street at Town Hall
#38 George Street at Town Hall
#39 George Street by Church Hill
#40 George Street by Market Street
#41 George Street by Victoria Markets
#42 George Street from Market Street
#43 George Street looking south
#44 George Street looking south
#45 George Street near Hunter Street
#46 George Street, Haymarket
#47 George Street, looking north from GPO
#48 George Street, looking south from Hunter Street
#49 George Street, Sydney
#50 Herald Office
#51 Hotel Australia
#52 Hunter Street from George Street
#53 Hunter Street
#54 Hyde Park, Sydney
#55 King Street East
#56 King Street looking east from George Street
#57 King Street looking east
#58 King Street looking west
#59 King Street
#60 King Street
#61 King Street
#62 King Street
#63 Livepool Street at College Street
#64 Livepool Street at College Street
#65 Macquarie Street, near Hospital
#66 Macquarie Street
#67 Market Street
#68 Martin Place
#69 Martin Place
#70 Martin Place
#71 Martin Place
#72 Mutual Life Assurance Office
#73 Mutual Life Assurance Office
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this clearly has the wrong label