1845 First Bridge in MelbourneA drawing of the plans for the proposed First Bridge for Melbourne in 1845, designed by David Lennox. Melbourne was settled in 1835 on the north side of the Yarra, but as the city grew north and south, there was no permanent crossing point of the Yarra River. Over time various punt and ferry operators were granted licences to ferry people and other traffic across the river. Discussions regarding the need for a bridge were commenced around 1842, with

then Altson's building with its small dome on the north-east corner of Collins Street

Kilda Road and bridge over Yarra River

A reproduction of a chart published in 1860 showing the detailed information about the entrance to Port Phillip Bay

This charming view is of a period now long gone - contributing to the notion of "The Paris End" of Collins Street

looking east along the Yarra from where Swan Street Bridge now stands

looking north from Collins Street

This part of Melbourne is one of the steepest areas in the city and the steep slope  is emphasised by the photographer's lens

This amazing image captures the state of the Yarra's south bank around 1865

Named as "Prince's Bridge" it provided Melbourne with an important

(Copyright)

between Lonsdale and Little Bourke would define that area well into the middle of the 20th century

located on the SW corner of Swanston Street