This unusual view looking to the south/east (probably taken from Park Avenue) shows the intersection of Avalon Parade and Old Barrenjoey Road around 1932. On the north/east corner stands the first general store, tenanted at the time by Stan Wickham. JTStapleton’s tiny garage from which he sold real estate is dwarfed by his huge advertising […]
This remarkable photograph shows the view west along what would have been called Clareville Road. The name Avalon Parade first appeared on AJSmall’s ‘Palmgrove Estate’ subdivision on Boxing Day 1921. AJSmall had envisaged it as a grand tree-lined parade linking Avalon Beach with Clareville. The distant white fence to the left of centre marked the […]
This rather dramatic photo shows what remained after the ‘Hole in the Wall’ (St Michael’s Arch) collapsed in 1867.The structure stood on the North Avalon rockshelf and was given a variety of names by the locals – ‘The Stone Lady’ and ‘Lot’s Wife’ being the most popular. During the 1920s the single weathered stone on […]
The first general store was built by AJSmall in 1922. The view which this photo shows is north/east across the intersection of Avalon Parade and (Old) Barrenjoey Road. The store was eventually demolished to make way for the ‘Barefoot Boulevarde’ in 1965. Stan Wickham was the most notable and popular tenant from 1924 until he […]
The Society’s AGM was another success with 52 members and guests attending. They saw some fascinating short clips from longer videos, super 8 movies etc. showing eras and aspects of early Avalon Beach. One showed the Department of Main Road’s (as the RTA were called back in the 1960s) attempt in the late 1960s to […]
Standing in their fire-fighting gear in front of the 1936 Dennis Ace are the first seven members of the Avalon Fire Brigade (begun in 1940). From left to right are Captain Ted Hock, Tom Chegwyn, Harry Wright, Lambert-Smith, Ron Edwards, Fred Wilson and Wal Ward. The garage which housed the fire engine stood on the […]
This photo is a part of a much longer panorama taken by E.B. Studios around 1925. The special camera was mounted on the high ground above the path (to the right) which led down to the pool. The two planter boxes stand on the site which 10 years later would be occupied by the first […]
This is one of those ‘the more you look the more you’ll see’ photos. An aerial view taken in 1941 provides a good overview of the developing central area. The roofless dressing sheds were a favourite with those who chose to tan all over (without strap marks!). During the 1940s several circus-style marquees were erected […]
The ‘Bathing Pool’ was as close to a natural rock pool as geologically possible. In 1917 A.J.Small lodged a cheque with Warringah Shire Council to allow workmen to formalise the shape and level the bottom of the pool to improve its use. Access to the pool at the time was somewhat difficult and at your […]
