The Urban Image Thread

View attachment 132526
Bush Chooks Café & Roadhouse - {Day 09-04} by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

Day 9: Esperance to Albany: The Unconventional Ride. 750 km in 10 days. Dropped into the Bush Chooks Café and Roadhouse [aka Boxwood Hill Roadhouse] for lunch. I initially wasn't too sure about the place but after seeking some local knowledge from the Head Chook, Jill Collier my view changed. Jill was most helpful and knowledgeable. I can highly recommend dropping in and spending a few dollars [the food is good too]; just remember to show an interest in the area :)

I love these roadhouses in Aus. Each of them is unique from a flyblown risk of Delhi Belly to ultra-modern. Even managed to get a CROISSANT in one en route from "Middle of Nowhere" to "Miles from Anywhere"
 
Sony A7 II, Leica Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8 at f/8, ISO 100:
_DSC0104.jpg


M.
 
38484953880_8b74c5f760_h.jpg

Albany Co-operative Society Building (fmr) by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

Located at 40-46 Frederick Street, Albany, the building is described as being difficult to “perceive [of] any aesthetic heritage value.” That said it is in the City of Albany municipal inventory and it is listed as an “indicative place” in the Register of the National Estate.

What interests me with this building besides its structure is it formation. The State Heritage Office reports that

“in 1867, P & O Agent, William Carmalt Clifton instigated the formation of the Albany Co-operative Society for P & O
employees.

They opened a shop in 1868 and then constructed the building in Frederick Street, which is the core of the
former Westrail Barracks.”

There is more details on its history at the State Heritage Office website, inHerit.
 
40327206551_746df366c2_h.jpg

Law Offices (fmr) - Australian Heritage Sites by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

“York House, a two storey Federation (c1890-c1915) with Victorian Regency style influences rendered masonry office building, has aesthetic, historic, representative, social and rarity cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place contributes strongly to the physical character of the Albany town centre, located near a prominent intersection and displays some fine aesthetic qualities typical of the Victorian Regency style; The place is an important component of the Stirling Terrace landscape and a goldrush example of commercial development in Albany; The place is closely associated with the commercial life of Albany and surrounding farm districts and; The place is a substantial goldrush building which contributes to the community's sense of place, having occupied its prominent corner site since 1894.” - The State Heritage Council of WA

York House is in fact 133-135 York Street, Albany but I have only photographed here 135 York Street.

Also what is interesting is the Google Street view from 2015 shows a verandah over the pavement and semi-enclosed outside dining area. All now gone.

Taken with a Olympus OM-D E-M5 ii and a Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150 F4.0-5.6 II
 
26476112378_5cc3c31fce_h.jpg

Rotunda, Stirling Tce, Albany, WA, Australia - Australian Heritage Sites by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

A surviving example of Victorian street furniture built in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee; a covered bandstand and public address place.

The rotunda is located within Queens Gardens, 53-145 Stirling Terrance and is bonded by Proudlove Parade, Albany.

A little bit of its history thanks to the Heritage Council State Heritage Office listing in inHerit:

In 1890, Albany Mayor Mr J. Moir proposed the development of the embankment of Stirling Terrace, an area which was formerly a dumping ground. It was subsequently opened in June 1897 as Queen's Park in honour of Queen Victoria on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. At this opening ceremony it was proposed that a bandstand be built to supplement the park.

Funding for the structure was provided by a state government grant of £150, a donation of £90 from the Albany Council and public subscription. Construction was carried out by local carpenter and joiner, Nobby Clark under the supervision of the designer Mr Robert Greensheilds.

The bandstand was officially opened on 23rd May 1898 by Mayor WG Knight. The mayor 'hoped that it would be a means of giving entertainment with the assistance of the band and he was sure that the towns people and visitors would appreciate it'. From this time, the Rotunda was used regularly for band concerts, public addresses, shelter, and even ceremonial occasions such as the reception of the official party during Fleet Week in September 1908.

During the late 1940's the covered entrance to the bandstand was removed and Queen's Park has been reduced to make way for road works.

Repairs to the bandstand were carried out in 1972 by the Albany council. Since the alteration of the park and changing patterns of use the structure became unsuitable as a bandstand and is now used as a viewing structure and shelter.

Restoration works were again carried out to the Rotunda in 1992.

Taken with a Olympus OM-D E-M5 ii and a Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150 F4.0-5.6 II
 
40353528461_1b5df7baef_h.jpg

Drew Robinson & Co (fmr), Stirling Tce, Albany, WA, Australia by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

Dylan's Restaurant is on a block of land that originally had two street frontages, Stirling Terrace and Frederick St. It is thought that the original owner was John McKail and Co, as indicated on the façade at that time. This was later covered up by the verandah.

Early photographs indicate that the building had some association with the merchant company Drew, Robinson & Co based on advertising for the company on the eastern side of the building.

A later 1890s photograph shows a sign for the Adelaide Steamship Company on the eastern face.

An even later photograph advertises Offerd's Engineering.

Source: Heritage Council - inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/...

Taken with a Olympus OM-D E-M5 ii and a Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150 F4.0-5.6 II
 
39739168674_d1a2e04350_h.jpg

Albany Railway Station & Bond Store by Andrew Priest (Aushiker), on Flickr

Whilst the railway lines are still in use for goods services there is no longer a passenger service servicing Albany. The only public transport today to and from Albany is the Transwa bus service.

Taken with a Olympus OM-D E-M5 ii and a Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150 F4.0-5.6 II
 
Back
Top