Photographic Collection: Flinders Street

Flinders Street has been the centre of the Townsville's CBD for over 130 years. In the 1870s Flinders Street (named after explorer Matthew Flinders) was little more than a rough track running along the banks of Ross Creek. Yet even at this early stage of Townsville's development warehouses and shops had been built along the length of Flinders Street to service the needs of the port and local settlers.

ca 1870

As larger business such as banks and insurance companies came to Townsville, large imposing buildings were built in Flinders Street, most of which are still being used today. Gaslights were installed in 1883 and were in use until 1923 when they were replaced with electricity. The flowerbeds that can be seen today in the middle of Flinders Street East and West were established in 1923.

ca 1935

World War II had quite an impact on Flinders Street. After the bombing of the Darwin Post Office by Japanese aircraft in 1942, people worried that the Townsville Post Office's prominent tower could become a target: within days the tower had been dismantled. The current tower was erected in 1963. Also visible in the photograph are 'Hanlon's Hideouts' air raid shelters that were constructed in the middle of Flinders Street.

1943

Following the war business as usual resumed in Flinders Street. But by the mid 1960s Australia-wide trends toward suburban shopping centres meant the Townsville City Council had to consider ways of revitalising the CBD and encouraging people back to the City Heart. In September 1979 construction began on Stage I of Flinders Mall. By the Mall's official opening in June 1980, the entire section of Flinders Street between Stanley and Denham Streets had been closed to traffic. Since then the Mall has undergone several cosmetic changes but remained a popular pedestrian only shopping destination.

Read more information about the planned Flinders Street Redevelopment.

2001

For more information, please contact CityLibraries.

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