Heritage

Image collection: Christchurch city scenes

This is a sample of photographs of Christchurch. You can search the catalogue for more or browse the collections.

Sketch of the Canterbury Plains from the Bridle Path, Port Hills [ca. 1850]
Sketch of the Canterbury Plains from the Bridle Path, Port Hills [ca. 1850]
First post office, Colombo Street, Christchurch [ca. 1851]
First Post Office, Colombo Street, Christchurch [ca. 1851]

Christchurch, December 1852, showing Worcester Street bridge, Land Office, the Clarendon, and Dr Barker's house [Dec. 1852]
Christchurch, December 1852, showing Worcester Street bridge, Land Office, the Clarendon, and Dr Barker's house [Dec. 1852]
From the corner of Armagh and Durham Streets looking north-west across the site of the Normal School, Christchurch [ca. 1854]
From the corner of Armagh and Durham Streets looking north-west across the site of the Normal School, Christchurch [ca. 1854]
General grocers on the corner of Colombo and High Streets, Christchurch [ca. 1861]
General grocers on the corner of Colombo and High Streets, Christchurch [ca. 1861]

Snow on Oxford Terrace, Christchurch [1862]
Snow on Oxford Terrace, Christchurch [1862]
Market Place, looking north-east [ca. 1864]
Market Place, looking north-east [ca. 1864]
Christchurch shown nineteen years after its foundation [1869]
Christchurch shown nineteen years after its foundation [1869]
The first Methodist church built at St Albans Lane, Christchurch [1870]
The first Methodist church built at St Albans Lane, Christchurch [1870]
The old town halls, High Street, Christchurch [between 1864 and 1882]
The old town halls, High Street, Christchurch [between 1864 and 1882]
Ballantynes, Cashel Street, Christchurch [ca. 1885]
Ballantynes, Cashel Street, Christchurch [ca. 1885]
Canterbury College, Christchurch [ca. 1885]
Canterbury College, Christchurch [ca. 1885]
Cathedral, Cathedral Square [ca. 1888]
Cathedral, Cathedral Square [ca. 1888]
Coxhead, F. A. (Frank Arnold), b. 1851
Christchurch from the Cathedral tower, showing Colombo Street and Market (Victoria) Square [ca. 1888]
Christchurch from the Cathedral tower, showing Colombo Street and Market (Victoria) Square [ca. 1888]
Coxhead, F. A. (Frank Arnold), b. 1851
Home of Dr Henry Horsford Prins (1835?-1896), 158 Manchester Street, Christchurch [ca. 1890]
Home of Dr Henry Horsford Prins (1835?-1896), 158 Manchester Street, Christchurch [ca. 1890]
Cathedral Square, Christchurch [1899]
Cathedral Square, Christchurch [1899]
The Universal, advertised as the most up-to-date establishment in Christchurch [189-?]
The Universal, advertised as the most up-to-date establishment in Christchurch [189-?]
Street decorations for the Canterbury jubilee celebrations in December 1900 shown here in Colombo Street north [1900]
Street decorations for the Canterbury jubilee celebrations in December 1900 shown here in Colombo Street north [1900]
A fire brigade turn-out in Christchurch [1900]
A fire brigade turn-out in Christchurch [1900]
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Barbadoes Street, Christchurch [ca. 1905]
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Barbadoes Street, Christchurch [ca. 1905]
Miss Roberts in full swing on the Shirley Links in the Christchurch Golf Club's Easter Tournament [Apr. 1908]
Miss Roberts in full swing on the Shirley Links in the Christchurch Golf Club's Easter Tournament [Apr. 1908]
The south side of Gloucester Street, Christchurch [1910]
The south side of Gloucester Street, Christchurch [1910]
Busy Christchurch :a view in Cathedral Square looking towards the BNZ corner on a hot summer's day. [1913]
Busy Christchurch :a view in Cathedral Square looking towards the BNZ corner on a hot summer's day. [1913]
Canterbury College, University of New Zealand : lecture theatres in Northern Quad, to right is Engineering School. [ca. 1919]
Canterbury College, University of New Zealand : lecture theatres in Northern Quad, to right is Engineering School [ca. 1919]
High Street, between Lichfield and Cashel Streets, Christchurch [ca. 1920]
High Street, between Lichfield and Cashel Streets, Christchurch [ca. 1920]
Radcliffe, Frederick George, 1863-1923.
Returning from Sumner seaside to Christchurch by steam tram [ca. 1921]
Returning from Sumner seaside to Christchurch by steam tram [ca. 1921]
Some of the 13,000 spectators leaving Lancaster Park after the second test match between New South Wales and New Zealand, 1 Sept. 1923 [1 Sept. 1923]
Some of the 13,000 spectators leaving Lancaster Park after the second test match between New South Wales and New Zealand, 1 Sept. 1923 [1 Sept. 1923]
A newspaper vendor in Cathedral Square, Christchurch [1927]
A newspaper vendor in Cathedral Square, Christchurch [1927]
3YA Christchurch Station of the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand [1927]
3YA Christchurch Station of the Radio Broadcasting Company of New Zealand [1927]
Christchurch harriers out for a run on Sumner beach [1927]
Christchurch harriers out for a run on Sumner beach [1927]
A crowded New Brighton beach, New Zealand, on gala day [1927]
A crowded New Brighton beach, New Zealand, on gala day [1927]
High Street, Christchurch [ca. 1929]
High Street, Christchurch [ca. 1929]
A delightful little garden at 66 Ruskin Street, Addington, Christchurch [1930]
A delightful little garden at 66 Ruskin Street, Addington, Christchurch [1930]
Colombo Street, Christchurch, looking south towards the Cathedral [ca. 1930]
Colombo Street, Christchurch, looking south towards the Cathedral [ca. 1930]
Cashel Street Christchurch, looking west toward the Bridge of Remembrance [1931]
Cashel Street Christchurch, looking west toward the Bridge of Remembrance [1931]
A view of the lily pond and Peacock Fountain with the McDougall Art Gallery in the background, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch [1935]
A view of the lily pond and Peacock Fountain with the McDougall Art Gallery in the background, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch [1935]
Stanley McKay's Gaieties of 1936 [Jan. 1936]
Stanley McKay's Gaieties of 1936 [Jan. 1936]
McKaskell, William C.
View of still smoking Ballantyne's building from the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets, Christchurch [1947]
View of still smoking Ballantyne's building from the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets, Christchurch [1947]
Aerial view of the Cathedral Square and central Christchurch [June 1952]
Aerial view of the Cathedral Square and central Christchurch [June 1952]
Woman serving expresso coffee at Fails Cafe, 82 Cashel Street, near the Bridge of Remembrance [ca. 1955]
Woman serving expresso coffee at Fails Cafe, 82 Cashel Street, near the Bridge of Remembrance [ca. 1955]
Memorial Avenue, Christchurch [ca. 1958]
Memorial Avenue, Christchurch [ca. 1958]
Children sailing model yachts on Victoria Lake, Hagley Park [ca. 1960]
Children sailing model yachts on Victoria Lake, Hagley Park [ca. 1960]
Horses parading in the ring at Riccarton Racecourse [ca. 1960]
Horses parading in the ring at Riccarton Racecourse [ca. 1960]
View from the Colombo Street bridge, near Kilmore Street [ca. 1960]
View from the Colombo Street bridge, near Kilmore Street [ca. 1960]
Two cricket matches under way in Hagley Park [ca. 1960]
Two cricket matches under way in Hagley Park [ca. 1960]
Rubbish day in a Christchurch suburb : Christchurch City Council refuse collection. [ca. 1960]
Rubbish day in a Christchurch suburb : Christchurch City Council refuse collection [ca. 1960]
Traffic at the intersection of High, Lichfield and Manchester Streets [ca. 1962]
Traffic at the intersection of High, Lichfield and Manchester Streets [ca. 1962]
Cars and buses in Cathedral Square : view looking up Colombo Street, with the Colonial Mutual Life building behind the Cathedral [Apr. 1964]
Cars and buses in Cathedral Square : view looking up Colombo Street, with the Colonial Mutual Life building behind the Cathedral [Apr. 1964]

Flickr

1970s

Bridge of Remembrance Bible Lady

Creekside Community Corner of Waltham and Shakespeare

1980s

North end of Cathedral Square Victoria Square

Rolleston avenue and Museum The outside shell of the new Central Library almost finished

2002

Story Tram

2004

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

2007

2007 Santa Parade

2008

The Wizard

2009

Real People Red phone box

2010

Lantern Festival 2010 Tram Tracks being laid in Cathedral Square

2011

The Bridge of Remembrance

2012

Hotel Grand Chancellor Restart High Street Old Post Office, Cathedral Square Hereford Street Convention Centre Gloucester Street, beside COCA Overlooking the Crossing, Colombo Street Looking down Gloucester Street Avon River, Bridge of Remembrance New Regent Street Central Bus Station Colombo Street Talking with the Wizard