Hackthorne Road – Thornhill Crescent was incorporated into Hackthorne Road. Named after Hackthorn Hall, the home in Hackthorn, Lincolnshire, England of the Cracroft family. Sir John Cracroft-Wilson (1808-1881) was a judge, farmer and politician. His mother was Elizabeth Cleminta Wilson, née Cracroft. The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography says Wilson “conducted himself as a selfconscious descendant of the landed Cracrofts of Hackthorn, Lincolnshire.” Hackthorne Road is first mentioned in the Star in 1898 in an advertisement. First appears in street directories in 1908. [An “e” was added at the end of the name.] Thornhill Crescent is first mentioned in The Press in 1913. First appears in street directories in 1928 running off 126 Hackthorne Road. Still being referred to in The Press in 1935. Later incorporated into Hackthorne Road.
A reasonable amount of information from the library website and there is nothing that I can add about the Cracroft- Wilson family as their history in Christchurch is well known. Papers Past had a reasonable amount of information and there were lots of ads for servants. Sections were for sale in 1914 plus a few in 1937.
Thornhill Crescent had sections for sale in 1914, 1921 and 1927. It looks like Thornhill Crescent went from Dyers Pass Rd around to where the Sign of the Takahe is. There were a few mentions of Thornhill in relationship to the building of the Sign of the Takahe where the road was widened to allow for parking. Also part of Thornhill Crescent was used to form a reserve at the Sign of the Takahe. I couldn’t find an exact date for Thornhill Crescent being added to Hackthorne Rd.
Many of the houses are dated from 1910 and 1920 but a few modern houses which are obvious rebuilds from the earthquakes. A couple of toilet block style in the rebuilds.
Walking from Cashmere Rd you have Princess Margaret Hospital grounds on one side for a short distance. Half way up there is a small reserve and behind the reserve is a reservoir.
At the Dyers Pass corner there are the shops and two cafes. I suggest that you give Emperors New Clothes a miss and have your coffee at The Cup.
Crossing the road here is difficult and I recommend using the pedestrian and cutting through the grounds of Cashmere Primary School. Great street art style of artwork in school grounds. As you continue up the street there is a small walkway leading to Kidson Tce and I might have quickly ducked down the walkway to find a cache.
Not far from here is a property called Hackthorne Gardens and it is apparently luxury accommodation. Still some lovely older houses here but near the top there were a couple of modern houses. As you get to the end there is the Sign of the Takahe which is on the corner of Hackthorne Rd and Dyers Pass Rd. You can also get to Victoria Park from here. The reserve at the Sign of the Takahe is well worth a wander through and there are great views of Christchurch from the viewing platform.
Lytteltonwitch's Walking the streets of Christchurch Project 