What did Goulburn look like in 1882? A History Goulburn event at 2pm on Sunday, 16 June will seek to answer this question.
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The Illustrated Sydney News published long articles that provide answers in words and etchings.
In 1869 the rail link between Goulburn and Sydney had opened up business opportunities for rural and manufacturing enterprises. The extension of the lines beyond Goulburn brought further prosperity.
A visiting journalist reported on the marvellous progress of Goulburn, which far outstripped that of Bathurst. The city developed rapidly but expansion was constrained. The land surrounding the city was held in large, private estates.
In 1882 there were three steam-powered mills turning cereal into flour. When local supplies were low, wheat was bought from Adelaide, San Francisco and other distant markets to keep the mills working. The milled flour was sent to Sydney.
Orchards provided fresh fruit for the Sydney market. The production of jams and fruit preserves was a new industry.
Goulburn was becoming a major production centre for leather goods. Hides, wattle bark and water were in plentiful supply; only labour was missing.
Edmund Cooper Manfred had begun working in Goulburn in 1879 - a young and talented architect. His Job Books record a steady flow of work from 1880: civic and commercial buildings, cottages and villas. Manfred contributed to the 'city' feel of Auburn St with designs for two-storey shops and housing.
An article in the Illustrated Sydney News Saturday of March 31, 1882 described Goulburn in detail. The writer forecasted a prosperous future. Etchings accompanied the article.
The edition of May 13, 1882 included more etchings of Goulburn buildings. The edition of September 30, 1882 devoted 5 pages to Goulburn. Page one featured a 'bird's-eye view' of the city, while pages 14 and 15 gave detailed information on businesses and organisations and page 16 had images of eight prominent Goulburn men. Page 20 covered the suburbs and district.
Bird's Eye view
In the 1870s and 80s 'bird's-eye views' were a popular way of promoting a town or city in the US and the colonies.
Sometimes the artist's depiction of a town was more fanciful than accurate as reported by disappointed travellers.
Local businessmen agreed to pay towards the production of the city map if their business was highlighted in the border.
The aerial view drawn in 1882 will be the starting point for the next History Goulburn event. We will be discussing Goulburn's built heritage by focussing on the buildings surrounding the 1882 map. The businesses promoted were a cross-section of public services, manufacturing, shopkeeping, banking, and accommodation enterprises.
How was this visual image of Goulburn created? How many of the individual buildings remain?
The transcribed Goulburn Rate Books for the years around 1882 have been consulted. The results might surprise you.
Join History Goulburn on Sunday 16 June, 2pm at Goulburn Soldiers Club. A3 size copies of the 1882 Goulburn 'bird's-eye view' will be available for $10 each.
RSVP historygoulburn.events@gmail.com subject line: 1882
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