Ranked list Story Audio

Menu

Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time.

Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time.

in Places & People

What Sydney looked like in the 1890s

314 Views 4 Comments

The 1890s was a time of significant change and growth in Sydney, Australia. The city’s population had grown rapidly, and new opportunities and challenges came with this growth. The economy was booming, and many new businesses and industries were established. The city’s infrastructure was also expanding, with new buildings, roads, and transportation systems being constructed.

One of the most noticeable changes in the city during this time was the growth of the working-class population. Many new immigrants arrived in Sydney, seeking better opportunities and a better life. The city’s working-class population lived in densely populated areas, often crowded and unsanitary. This was a significant concern for health officials struggling to control outbreaks of diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, and cholera.

The city’s wealthy population also grew during this time, with many new homes being built in the suburbs. The suburbs were seen as a place of luxury and comfort, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The wealthy population of Sydney enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, with many of the luxuries that came with wealth, such as fine dining, entertainment, and shopping.

The 1890s also saw the development of new forms of transportation in Sydney. The city’s first electric tram system was established, providing residents with a fast and convenient way to travel around the city. The introduction of the tram system was a major milestone in the city’s development, and it helped transform the way people lived and worked.

Despite Sydney’s many changes and developments during the 1890s, the city also faced significant challenges. The economic boom was not without its downsides, and many people found themselves struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment was high, and many people were forced to live in poverty. The city’s working-class population was especially vulnerable, and many were forced to rely on public assistance to get by.

#1 King and Elizabeth Street corner from Sydney, 1890

King and Elizabeth Street corner from Sydney, 1890

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#2 An aviary from Sydney, 1880s

An aviary from Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#3 Children in street from Sydney, 1885

Children in street from Sydney, 1885

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#4 Group of people from Sydney, 1885

Group of people from Sydney, 1885

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#5 Advertising hoarding from Sydney, 1886

Advertising hoarding from Sydney, 1886

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#6 Street scene from Sydney, 1887

Street scene from Sydney, 1887

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#7 A chimney sweep walking across Pyrmont Bridge Sydney, 1888

A chimney sweep walking across Pyrmont Bridge Sydney, 1888

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#8 Street scene from Sydney, 1888

Street scene from Sydney, 1888

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#9 Woman selling fruit from small barrow Sydney, 1880s

Woman selling fruit from small barrow Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#10 Street scene. Phillip Street, 1885-90 Sydney, 1880s

Street scene. Phillip Street, 1885-90 Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#11 Group of people, Sydney, 1889

Group of people, Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#12 People at Circular Quay Sydney, 1889

People at Circular Quay Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#13 Horsedrawn ambulance outside Civil Ambulance & Transport Brigade headquarters, corner of George & Pitt Sts opposite the Benevolent Asylum, now Central Square, 1889

Horsedrawn ambulance outside Civil Ambulance & Transport Brigade headquarters, corner of George & Pitt Sts opposite the Benevolent Asylum, now Central Square, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#14 Small band playing in street from Sydney, 1890

Small band playing in street from Sydney, 1890

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#15 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#16 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#17 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#18 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#19 Group of people from Sydney, 1889

Group of people from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#20 Group of people from Sydney, 1889

Group of people from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#21 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#22 Children in street from Sydney, 1889

Children in street from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#23 Street scene from Sydney, 1889

Street scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#24 Farm scene from Sydney, 1889

Farm scene from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#25 Girl with pet duck on lead from Sydney, 1889

Girl with pet duck on lead from Sydney, 1889

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#26 Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#27 Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

Street scene from Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#28 Advertising hoarding for McLean, Rigg from Sydney, 1880s

Advertising hoarding for McLean, Rigg from Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#29 Manly Ferry Wharf from Sydney, 1880s

Manly Ferry Wharf from Sydney, 1880s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#30 Railway work shops, Sydney, 1871

Railway work shops, Sydney, 1871

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#31 Governor Bourke Hotel from Sydney, 1870s

Governor Bourke Hotel from Sydney, 1870s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#32 Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney, 1875

Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney, 1875

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#33 National Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1899

National Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1899

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#34 Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, June 1893

Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, June 1893

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#35 Pechey family, Craigend, Darlinghurst, 1882

Pechey family, Craigend, Darlinghurst, 1882

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#36 The Gap, Sydney, 1880

The Gap, Sydney, 1880

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#37 Wynyard Square, 1897

Wynyard Square, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#38 St Mary’s Cathedral, 1897

St Mary's Cathedral, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#39 University of Sydney, 1897

University of Sydney, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#40 Sydney Town Hall, 1897

Sydney Town Hall, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#41 General Post Office, 1897

General Post Office, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#42 Queen’s Statue, 1897

Queen's Statue, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#43 Manly Beach, 1897

Manly Beach, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#44 Royal Botanic Gardens, 1897

Royal Botanic Gardens, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#45 Circular Quay, 1897

Circular Quay, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#46 Hyde Park, 1897

Hyde Park, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#47 Sydney Hospital, 1897

Sydney Hospital, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#48 St. Andrew’s Cathedral, 1897

St. Andrew's Cathedral, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#49 Sydney Observatory, 1897

Sydney Observatory, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#50 Park entrance, Parramatta, 1897

Park entrance, Parramatta, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#51 Lavender Bay, 1897

Lavender Bay, 1897

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#52 Carts parked along the sidewalk with a small wooden shed atop a mound of earth

Carts parked along the sidewalk with a small wooden shed atop a mound of earth

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#53 The Parramatta River at Sydney, 1890.

The Parramatta River at Sydney, 1890.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#54 Circular Quay in Sydney, 1890

Circular Quay in Sydney, 1890

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#55 Sydney street with steam powered tram and horse carriages, 1890s

Sydney street with steam powered tram and horse carriages, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#56 Sydney Museum. 1890s

Sydney Museum. 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#57 Sydney Ferry LEIPOA Perdriau’s Balmain ferries, 1890s

Sydney Ferry LEIPOA Perdriau's Balmain ferries, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#58 Sydney, Government House. 1890s

Sydney, Government House. 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#59 Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, 1893

Arrival of Governor Sir Robert Duff, Circular Quay, Sydney, 1893

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#60 Sydney Cove wool stores, east side, 1890

Sydney Cove wool stores, east side, 1890

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#61 ‘The Departure of Lord and Lady Carrington from Sydney for England, 1890s

'The Departure of Lord and Lady Carrington from Sydney for England, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#62 Harbor view, Sydney, 1890s

Harbor view, Sydney, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#63 Circular Quay, Sydney, 1890s

Circular Quay, Sydney, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#64 Town Hall, Sydney, 1890s

Town Hall, Sydney, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#65 General Post Office, Sydney, 1890s

General Post Office, Sydney, 1890s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#66 Children in street from Sydney, 1885

Children in street from Sydney, 1885

-1 Points

Upvote Downvote

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

4 Comments

Sort by

William Taylor says:

September 22, 2023 at 21:13 Copy Link of a Comment

The world has changed so much in the last 150 years. In 150 years from now, there will be millions of hours of HD footage from what it was like now.

0

Reply
- Charlie Chaplin says:
  
  September 22, 2023 at 21:14 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  Slightly different shorelines.
  
  0
  
  Reply
  - Eddie the Eagle says:
    
    September 22, 2023 at 21:14 Copy Link of a Comment
    
    laughs in Melbournian
    
    0
    
    Reply
Valeria Hernández says:

September 22, 2023 at 21:14 Copy Link of a Comment

Despite living in an 1890s home, I haven’t really gotten a sense of the general Sydney vibe until looking through all these 🙂 really interesting stuff! I giggled when I saw the little girl walking her duck

0

Reply

Next post

Back to Top

Close Add post

Share this Post 🥺

Please take a moment to share this content. Your support is greatly appreciated! 🙌🙏