Author Archives: lytteltonwitch

Kitchener Place – Named after Horatio Herbert Kitchener, the Earl of Khartoum, usually known as Lord Kitchener (1850-1916). Kitchener visited Christchurch in 1910. First mentioned in The Press in 1945. First appears in street directories in 1947. A wee bit of information from the library website and I can’t add anything extra. The houses in …

Continue reading “Kitchener Place in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Ford Road – Named because it was the site of a ford across the Heathcote River used by early settlers travelling from Lyttelton to Christchurch. First appears in street directories in 1906.A wee bit of information from the library website.I couldn’t find much more information on-line but think that it had been known by this …

Continue reading “Ford Road in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Lichfield Lane and Courtyard. Nothing on library website and is probably a new development. It runs from Tuam St to Lichfield St but the interesting part is from Lichfield St to Ash St. Between Ash St and Tuam it just looks like the back entrances to businesses on Madras St and Poplar St.There were restaurants …

Continue reading “Lichfield Lane and Courtyard in the Central City, Christchurch”

Ash Street – formerly Elm Street and Beech Street. Elm Street is first mentioned in the Star in 1892 when the Christchurch City Council made it a public street. First appears in street directories in 1906. Re-named Beech Street in 1926 when 21 streets were re-named. Re-named Ash Street on 1 September 1948 when 120 …

Continue reading “Ash Street in the Central City, Christchurch”

Rauora Park and Bedford Terrace. Nothing on library website as this area has been developed since the earthquakes. Most of the original buildings were demolished. It is an area bounded by Armagh St, Manchester St, Lichfield St and Madas St. It is an open area that has been landscaped and is still being developed. Down …

Continue reading “Rauora Park and Bedford Terrace in the Central City, Christchurch”

Poplar Street – The council made it a public street on 10 October 1892. First appears in street directories in 1919. A small amount of information from the library website. I couldn’t find any information on Papers Past apart from lots of ads for a furniture factory. In later years this street became a popular …

Continue reading “Poplar Street in the Central City, Christchurch”

Latimer Square – Named after Hugh Latimer (1492?- 1555), Bishop of Worcester 1535- 1539. One of the original streets of Christchurch named by Captain Joseph Thomas (b. 1803?) and Edward Jollie (1825-1894). The names were taken from bishoprics listed in Burke’s Peerage. Latimer Square, Cranmer Square and Ridley (later Cathedral) Square are all named after …

Continue reading “Latimer Square in the Central City, Christchurch”

High Street – Formerly Sumner Road. Named after the bishopric of Sumner. Re-named Lower High Street and later High Street. Probably named after a street in Oxford, England, The High, as Christchurch itself was named after the college in Oxford. Sumner Road was named by surveyors Captain Joseph Thomas (b. 1803?) and Edward Jollie (1825-1894) …

Continue reading “High Street in the Central City, Christchurch”

Huanui Lane in the Central City. nothing on library website as it is a new street since the earthquakes. It runs though a new park in a development in an area called East Frames. It is a Fletcher development and naming of this area is coming from Ngai Tahu.

Aynsley Terrace – formerly River Rd Named after Hugh Percy Murray -Aynsley (1828- 1917). Murray-Aynsley arrived in New Zealand in 1858. He owned Riverlaw 1863-1905, a property at what later became 81 Aynsley Terrace. River Road “from the Opawa Bridge to the Rapaki Road” was renamed Aynsley Terrace in 1916. First appears in street directories …

Continue reading “Aynsley Terrace in the suburb of Hillsborough, Christchurch”