Book Barons – the Whitcombe & Tomb’s Story

Articles, Lost Christchurch

New Zealand’s largest and most iconic booksellers, publishers and printing company was Whitcombe & Tombs of Christchurch. It was established in 1882 by Mr. George Hawkes Whitcombe, a seem…

Quid non pro patria: Bridge of Remembrance, 1924

Articles, Lost Christchurch

“The most historic bridge in Christchurch” The iconic stone arch which spans over Cashel Street bridge – linking Cambridge with Oxford Terrace is “a visible symbol” wh…

Down the Avon to New Brighton, 1890 – Notes on a Christchurch Trip

Articles, Lost Christchurch

By Fabian Bell The Avon is a lovely river. Of course I know that many people will say that it is no better than a ditch, &c. I pity their want of taste. Of course the stream is narrow and does …

Midday on Manchester Street c.1905

Articles, Lost Christchurch

It is midday on the busy intersection of Manchester, High and Lichfield Streets when this photograph was taken from the corner of Bedford Row c. 1904. The street is full of activity as shoppers mak…

1901 Earthquake – a warning for Greengrocers & ‘Portly Ladies’

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Earthquakes in Christchurch are not unusual events, we’ve been beset with them since European settlement began – and no doubt long before. What is most disturbing of all is that our Eur…

The Earthquake Wave at Lyttelton, 1868

Articles, Lost Christchurch

The town of Lyttelton on Saturday morning (15 August) was thrown into a state of great excitement owing to a most extraordinary rise and fall of the water in the harbour…

Remembering Lost Christchurch

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Our city is a repository for the social and historical narrative of our past Each street, wall, facade, interior is an integral part of the people who walked passed them, shopped in them, worked in…

Why Our Historic Buildings Are Important

Articles, Lost Christchurch

Up until February 22nd, 2011, the city of Christchurch was a unique, historic and cultural living and breathing entity. Inherited from a long list of valuable contributors dating back to its incept…