Commemorating the social and cultural history of Christchurch. New stories added regularly.

September 1888 – the most destructive earthquake since the Canterbury Pilgrims landed

September 1888 – the most destructive earthquake since the Canterbury Pilgrims landed

Shortly after 4 o’clock this morning the whole of the South and a portion of the North Island was shaken…

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Panorama of houses in Christchurch looking towards the hills at the time the Boot family arrived, 1860s, with Liverpool and Manchester House. in foreground, displaying a array of goods outside including what looks like linen and a bed. To the left is Papparill's store. Photographer: Alfred Charles Barker. Source: National Library of New Zealand, ID: 1/2-075411-F.

“Would to God I had never heard the name of New Zealand”

“To tell you is a great task, for I can assure you it is a most awful country,”  wrote James Boot…

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Back of D McTaggart's butcher shop after earthquake, Cheviot. Image: Alexander Turnbull Library ID: 1/2-022298-F

1901 Earthquake – a warning for Greengrocers & ‘Portly Ladies’

Earthquakes in Christchurch are not unusual events, we’ve been beset with them since European settlement began – and no doubt…

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Johann Franz Julius von Haast and Mary von Haast alongside a house, believed to be in Christchurch, circa 1860s. Photographer unidentified. Source: Alexander Turnbull Library. ID: PAColl-5381-02.

Julius von Haast and his milk can seismometer

German born colonist, Sir Julius von Haast, was an explorer, specialising in geology. Amongst his many achievements was the founding…

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Date: 1929. By: Wicks, Arthur John, 1871?-1942; Martin, J L, fl 1932; New Zealand. Commissioner of Crown Lands. Source: National Library of New Zealand, Ref: Eph-A-EARTHQUAKE-1929-01, Photograph on Postcard

A Poor Joke! A Premonition of What Was Yet to Come.

This photographically produced postcard of Christchurch’s Provincial Government buildings, appearing twisted and warped, was a semi-humorous card sent out at Christmas after…

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St Michael's and All the Angels church from the west along Lichfield Street taken soon after its construction in 1871. Source: Bridge and Hastings family records / Marion Hastings Bridge, Archive 334, p. 41 .Image: Christchurch City Libraries File Reference CCL Photo CD5, IMG0097.

Built with earthquakes in mind – St. Michaels and All the Angels Church c. 1871

The Anglican church of St. Michaels and All the Angels Church at 84 Oxford Terrace stands on the site of…

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A busy dock scene at Lyttelton, with steam and sailing ships, wharf buildings, and families awaiting their luggage, collecting their luggage and greeting friends and relations. Some are still being helped off the ship onto the wharf. Source: Illustrated Australian news :Landing immigrants at Lyttelton, N. Z. Image: Alexander Turnball Library ID: PUBL-0119-1878-13

Christchurch – Dull and as Flat as a Kitchen Table 1880′s

In 1886, an English woman who called herself ‘Hopeful’, wrote of her experiences after emigrating to Christchurch, New Zealand.  She…

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Crowd in Cathedral Square, Christchurch on Armistice Day, 12th November 1918. Source: Black and white original negative, Samuel Heath Head Collection, Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library Head 1 Black & White original negative, ref: 1/1-007108-G

“It’s over!” Armistice Day in Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square hosted one of New Zealand’s most significant historic events after the armistice was signed by the Western Allies…

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