William Street from the Cross - 1856 and more

The very same corner, across two centuries.

1856. The top of William Street, where the famous Coke sign is today, was just a rock shelf before it was built on.

1896. The tram lines have been put through, which congest the narrow main road. Later, after WW1, the entire south side of William Street will be demolished to widen it.

1946. The widened street works well, for the while.

1965. The trams have been removed from Sydney in place of buses, but the growing population still causes increasing congestion. By 1970, the west and south sides of this intersection will disappear for the new Kings Cross tunnel which will go underneath.

Today. For the record, this was taken in the exact spot as the other photos above. It's just the reorientation and redevelopment of the roads have shifted due to the tunnel below.