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A timeline of Christchurch events in chronological order from pre-European times to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

Begin at the beginning Start here

This week in history

February 6, 1866
Telegraph to the West Coast (Hokitika) opens.
February 6, 1908
Stranges fire destroys buildings in High, Cashel and Lichfield Streets. Stranges Department Store was New Zealand’s biggest in the early days of this century. The early morning blaze spread to the DIC, Ashby Berghs and the White Hart Hotel. Damage was over £300,000, New Zealand’s worst to that date.
February 6, 1914
New evening paper, the "Sun" appears. This independent paper caused a sensation in the newspaper industry because of its modern style and lavish use of illustrations.
February 7, 1851
“Castle Eden” arrives with settlers. There had been trouble on the voyage, and her crew was arrested and imprisoned for mutiny.
February 8, 1857
St Andrews Presbyterian Church opens.
February 8, 1864
George Parr’s “All England” cricket team defeats a Canterbury side.
February 8, 1870
Opening of Christchurch’s first art exhibition.
February 9, 1898
"Black Wednesday" - Canterbury skies darkened by smoke from Australian bush fires.
February 9, 1917
Scott statue, sculpted by his widow, unveiled opposite the (then) Municipal Offices in Oxford Terrace.
February 10, 1863
First sitting of the Court of Appeal.
February 10, 1864
First Council artesian well drilled at the corner of Tuam and High Streets. It gushed to a height of 3 or 4 metres above ground level.
February 10, 1913
News reaches Christchurch of the Scott expedition’s fate. The city’s special relationship with the expedition caused deep mourning over the tragedy.
February 11, 1843
Deans, Gebbie and Manson families sail from Wellington on the “Richmond” to settle at Riccarton.
February 11, 1851
Land Office opens in Christchurch on the site now occupied by the Chamber of Commerce building.
February 11, 1928
Opening of St Georges private hospital.
February 11, 1960
Mrs H.L. Garrett appointed New Zealand’s first jury forewoman.
February 12-14, 1958
Visit by Queen Mother.
February 12, 1905
Catholic Cathedral (the Basilica) opens. Designed by F.W. Petre, it is widely regarded as the finest Renaissance building in New Zealand.

Notes

  • This resource includes images from our photographs collection - clicking on the image will take you to a larger version of that image.
  • This resource links to various other local history resources on our website.