Hawthorne Street in the suburb of Strowan, Christchurch

Hawthorne St in Strowan – Formerly Brighton Street for a short time only. Also formerly named Schmidts Road. Named after William (Wilhelm) Schmidt (1832- 1894). Re-named Hawthorn (later Hawthorne) Road and later Hawthorne Street. Named after the Hawthorne Nursery of John Greenaway (1831-1880) situated on 5 acres there.Named Brighton Street by John Bligh (1838- 1896), possibly to publicise the fact he was establishing Blighs Gardens at New Brighton. Brighton Street never appears in street directories but is mentioned in the advertisement in The Press in November 1880 when Bligh subdivided his land and it was auctioned. The land is described as having frontages on “the Papanui Road, Bligh’s Road, Nursery Road (later Watford Street) and Brighton Street”. Also formerly named Schmidt’s Road. Schmidt was the proprietor of Barrett’s Hotel and built the New Zealander Hotel at 76 Madras Street. In retirement, he lived on the corner of Papanui Road and where Schmidt’s Road was developed. He is listed in street directories as living on Papanui Road in 1878. His funeral is mentioned in the Star in 1894. Schmidt’s Road first appears in street directories in 1887 and is also an address in an advertisement in the Star in 1888. Hawthorn Road is first mentioned in the Star in 1880 in a report of a meeting of the Avon Road Board. So the street appears to have alternate names for a time. Hawthorn Road first appears in street directories in 1892. It later becomes Hawthorne Road and was officially named Hawthorne Street on 21 February 1962.

A huge amount of information from the library website and I am not sure that I can add much to it. Papers Past had lots of birth and death notices. Between 1873 and 1894 there were a few large properties for sale. From about 1893 both names are used for the street but eventually the Schmidt name disappears. In 1924 there were complaints about stagnant water. In 1934 various streets in the area including this street were renumbered to conform with city policy. That will confuse anyone researching where their ancestors lived.

This is another street that I actually walked in October 2021. I am slightly behind in writing up streets. Was too hot for walking today so gives me a chance to catch up. There are at least two houses dating from 1910 here and they look lovely. Also many lovely wooden villas from the 1920s. The rest cover every decade onwards with a large number built in 1970s. Most of the modern houses built after the earthquakes are ugly and one looks like a shipping container. It makes a change from toilet block style. Probably a pleasant street but very close to the railway line. Another street beyond my budget which is a pity as some of those older houses really appealed.