Lang Street 1875c

When Sydney was still pretty much a quiet outpost, its later Victorian expansion and wealth soon to develop.

Petersham 1888

What strikes me most here is the engineering - all cut, dug and built by hand, with just rudimentary tools, no machines. And for a remote, small population, where these works are repeated throughout the land, it's an amazing feat. We really don't appreciate our pioneers. 

Today, the same spot, just higher up, as a light-rail line runs beneath, and under that again the creek is now a concreted canal.

 

As an addendum, next to the modern viaduct is a remnant of the original. You have to look for it to know it was there. 

Circular Quay 1929

At the far back is George St; in front, the fire station with the steeple was demolished for the overpass in the 1950s; the little bank on the right was rebuilt in the 30s and then demolished in the 50s. 

Standing and looking in exactly the same spot today (verified on SIX Maps) -

York at Market 1877

 

 

York Street 1936

Anzac Parade, Moore Park 1870

From the earliest days of the colony, Moore Park was officially set aside for public use.

The same place today -

Woolloomooloo 1935

A police photograph from a crime scene, detectives investigating. All very noir.

But today, not so much -

Yes, though unbelievable, we are looking from the exact same spot as the photo at top. I verified it on SIXMaps.