Old South Grafton This map was originally published by Grafton Print in a booklet to commemorate the centenary in 1967 of South Grafton's Anglican church. The map, based upon information supplied at that time by a 90-year-old man named Allan Friar, represents South Grafton in the 1880s. There are many significant elements of information in this map. Here are some of the things that interested me most: There is a big accent on bullock teams:
There is a big accent on river activities:
There is a big accent on activities involving horses:
Wharf Street (not Skinner Street) is marked as the main street of the town. Five hotels: Royal, Walker's, Tattersall's, Australia and Post Office. Who were their clients? Three butchers: Tom Hutching, Kelly and Bratson. Three churches: Roman Catholic, Church of England and Presbyterian. Two private schools: Nelson and Miss Morrow. Were they denominational? Curiously, Nelson is also the name of the headmaster of the public school. The existence of Cowan's Creek seems to have necessitated a bridge in Skinner Street. A building that I do not recall: the Assembly Hall in Through Street. Rural setting: Hawthorne's saleyards in the middle of town, and a vast south-east zone labelled "scrub". The properties or residences of only three citizens are indicated: Bawden's estate, G T McKittrick and Adam Hawthorn(e).
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