Author Archives: lytteltonwitch

Bedford Row – Bedford Row was once the grass covered centre of the extensive nurseries belonging to William Barbour Wilson (1819- 1897) from which trees were obtained for the main four avenues. Wilson was a nurseryman, businessman and local politician. First mentioned in The Press in 1877, appears on an 1879 map and first appears …

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Kilmore Street in the Central City- Named after an Irish bishopric, Kilmore, near Cavan. One of Christchurch’s original streets named in 1850 by Captain Joseph Thomas (b. 1803?) and Edward Jollie (1825- 1894). The names were taken from bishoprics listed in Burke’s Peerage. John Robert Godley lived at Killegar Park, in County Leitrim, near Kilmore …

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Oxford Tce in Central City- Brightlings Lane was incorporated into Oxford Terrace. Named after Christ Church, Oxford University. Brightlings Lane was named after John Brightling (1842-1928) One of the original Christchurch streets named in 1850 by surveyors Captain Joseph Thomas (b. 1803?) and Edward Jollie (1825-1894) in March 1850. John Robert Godley (1814- 1861) studied …

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Mollett Street in the Central City – Mollett’s Road and Mollett’s right-of-way, Named after Thomas Mollett (1823-1906). Mollett was a builder and surveyor. He had a builder’s yard, probably where this street was later formed. A “first class” building site on Mollett’s Road is advertised for sale in the Star in 1878. The work of …

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Chester St East in the Central City – Cranmer Terrace Named after the English Anglican bishopric of Chester. One of the original Christchurch streets named in 1850 by Edward Jollie (1825- 1894), and Captain Joseph Thomas (b. 1803?). The names were taken from bishoprics listed in Burke’s Peerage. First mentioned in The Lyttelton Times, in …

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Willow Street in the Central City – First mentioned in The Press in 1880 when the Christchurch City Council called for tenders for its “forming and shingling”. First appears in street directories in 1885.A small amount of information on the library website. The name Willow was most likely from willows trees along the riverbank. Entries …

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Tuam Street in the Central City- Tuam Street was formerly known as Old Drain Road. Named after the Irish (Anglican) bishopric of Tuam One of the original streets of Christchurch named in 1850 by Captain Joseph Thomas (b. 1803?) and Edward Jollie (1825-1894). The names were taken from bishoprics listed in Burke’s Peerage. First mentioned …

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Duke Street in the Central City- Queen Street South Land for sale in Queen Street South is first advertised in the Star in 1886. First appears in street directories in 1887. Re-named Duke Street on 7 March 1904.A small amount of information from the library website. I searched Papers Past but found very little information. …

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Dawson Street in the Central City- formerly David Street, Carter’s Lane and Carters Street. Formerly Carters Street. Named after James Carter (1862-1939). Re-named Dawson Street. Appears on an 1875 map as David Street. By 1883 it is listed as Carter’s Lane. It was taken over by the city council that same year becoming Carters Street. …

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Ulster Place in the Central City – In 1892 an application was sent to the council asking for it to take over “a private street turning out of Taylor’s Lane” (later Aberdeen Street). First appears in street directories in 1914.A small amount of information from the library website. I am assuming that the street was …

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