Historic York Street in the Sydney CBD was originally known as Barracks Row, because of its proximity to the military barracks parade ground. Governor Lachlan Macquarie renamed it after the Duke of York and Albany, second son of King Richard III.
Below is an image looking south along York Street in the 1830s. The markets are pictured on the left. It looks as though a load of hay is being delivered, so much was needed to fuel all the horse-power in those days Note the man and woman with baskets on their heads. They probably had a produce stall at the markets.
Around the time of the above photo Mr Francis Low opened a hotel in York Street. He appeared to provide all that a visitor from up-country could desire.
The city’s first Synagogue was built in York Street. It opened in 1844.
As the following plaque explains, a new Great Synagogue was later built in Elizabeth Street. The York Street building was replaced by a warehouse, since converted to a hotel.
For me, the hotel is a convenient place to stay on city breaks. A balcony room provides close views of the Town Hall, the Queen Victoria Building etc. So many layers of Sydney history.
Another of my favourite York Street hotels is the Art Deco Grace Hotel. It was built as headquarters and ‘flagship’ store for the retailers Grace Brothers. Unfortunately, York Street could never lure shoppers away from adjacent George Street, so as a department store it was a bit of a flop. The building was inspired by the Tribune building in Chicago. They do have lovely dinners there, albeit costing a trifle more than Mr Low’s one shilling and sixpence. As for newspapers, I don’t think enough survive today to have to file them as Mr Low’s staff did.
THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN HALL
Sydney’s first Town Hall was in York Street, on the western side between Druitt and Market Streets. It was formerly the Pultney Hotel, and was leased in 1843, the year after the first City of Sydney council was elected. Its owner, Mr Roberts, was paid £250 per annum.
In the 1870s a new, very grand Town Hall was built on the site of the city’s old cemetery. The image below is actually from George Street, looking across the cemetery to the Synagogue in York Street. (Marked with the arrow.)
As you can imagine, building on the cemetery site created a lot of angst. The photo below shows the building still under construction. I notice that the clock face is still to be installed in the tower. And what a long row of patient horses outside the market..
And here is the same view today. The streets are still fairly quiet as Sydney emerges from the Covid pandemic.
FOR A HISTORY WALK ALONG THE LENGTH OF YORK STREET CLICK HERE
