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 […]
Upon his discharge from war service in New Guinea, Bert Cowell headed straight back to Avalon Beach. At his wife’s suggestion he thought he would ‘have a go’ at green-grocering. The truck he bought had no brakes but undaunted Bert crawled around in first gear “and then I jumped out and shoved a brick under […]
This classic photo shows the commercial area of Avalon Beach in the late 1930s. ‘Avalon Beach Store’ was built by Stan Wickham in 1934 and in the same year, the ‘Avalon Service Station’ and the neighbouring NRMA Patrol Hut were built by A.J. Small. J.T. Stapleton’s huge real estate advertising sign and agency has been […]
