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The origins of George Street lie in the layout of the Sydney Cove colony. Captain Arthur Phillip placed the convicts and marines on the rocky western slopes of the bay. A track leading from the convicts' encampment in the area of The Rocks, past the marine barracks and alongside the banks of a stream to a brick pit, located near to the present location of Central Station. This track that eventually became George Street and is one of the two original thoroughfares, along with the track that became Bridge Street. It is possible that George Street was the first street in Australia.
Until 1810 George Street was generally referred to as High Street in the English custom. George Street was named for King George III of the United Kingdom by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1810.
Until 1810 George Street was generally referred to as High Street in the English custom. George Street was named for King George III of the United Kingdom by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1810.
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Macquarie bequeathed a very British and monarchist flavour to the central streets - the given names of the current monarch, George III, and his queen, Charlotte - and the ducal titles of the sons of George III - York, Cumberland, Sussex, Clarence, Cambridge and Kent.
On 8 December 1899 an electric tramway was opened along George Street to Harris Street. This reduced the traditional dependence on horses and human feet. In 1959 the trams were replaced by diesel buses.
George Street is still the busiest street in Sydney in terms of number of buses per hour; most bus services to the inner western and north-western suburbs travel along part of or most of George Street.
On 8 December 1899 an electric tramway was opened along George Street to Harris Street. This reduced the traditional dependence on horses and human feet. In 1959 the trams were replaced by diesel buses.
George Street is still the busiest street in Sydney in terms of number of buses per hour; most bus services to the inner western and north-western suburbs travel along part of or most of George Street.
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In 1932, as part of the construction of the City Circle, the George Street roadway was opened outside the Sydney Town Hall and Town Hall underground station was constructed. Further north, Wynyard underground station was constructed with a major entrance to George Street near Hunter Street.
David Jones
David Jones store on the corner of George and Barrack Street can be seen on the right foreground of the original postcard. Just 50 years after the founding of the colony, Mr David Jones, a Welsh-born immigrant, opened "large and commodious premises" on the corner of George and Barrack Streets on 24 May 1838. David Jones eventually retired and left the management of the store to his business partners. Unfortunately, the store failed and the assets of David Jones were assigned to Trustees. He came back out of retirement, borrowed heavily, and with the help of new partners and his son Edward Lloyd, managed to recreate the store's success.
David Jones
David Jones store on the corner of George and Barrack Street can be seen on the right foreground of the original postcard. Just 50 years after the founding of the colony, Mr David Jones, a Welsh-born immigrant, opened "large and commodious premises" on the corner of George and Barrack Streets on 24 May 1838. David Jones eventually retired and left the management of the store to his business partners. Unfortunately, the store failed and the assets of David Jones were assigned to Trustees. He came back out of retirement, borrowed heavily, and with the help of new partners and his son Edward Lloyd, managed to recreate the store's success.
More Sydney Streets
George Street; Bridge Street; Bent Street; King Street;
Martin Place; Market Street; Macquarie Street; Pitt Street
Ridge Street (North Sydney); Sydney Road (Manly)
William Street; York Street;
Canterbury Road and Constitution Road (Meadowbank)
Other Sydney Streets (College Street; Oxford Street; Queen Square; Argyle Cut; O'Connel Street)
George Street; Bridge Street; Bent Street; King Street;
Martin Place; Market Street; Macquarie Street; Pitt Street
Ridge Street (North Sydney); Sydney Road (Manly)
William Street; York Street;
Canterbury Road and Constitution Road (Meadowbank)
Other Sydney Streets (College Street; Oxford Street; Queen Square; Argyle Cut; O'Connel Street)