Pictured: Moves to relocate buildings such as the Post & Telegraph Office (pictured) and Wollongong Courthouse to the present-day CBD began during the 1870s. CREDIT: From the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society.
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The shifting commercial centre of Wollongong led to a transfer of major facilities from the harbour to Crown Street and surrounds during the 1890s.
But calls for the relocation of buildings such as the Post & Telegraph Office and Wollongong Courthouse and police station in line with this development started as much as 20 years earlier.
The first stirring came in 1875 when a letter writer to the Mercury said almost all the business of Wollongong was conducted in Crown Street, "and even there towards the west end". Any person with court business must "go all the way down the town" to reach the office.
Nothing more was published on the idea until April 1878 when a meeting was called to discuss the desirability of relocating the courthouse, police station and post office to a more central location.
The meeting was chaired by Mayor George Osborne who expressed his support, saying that the courthouse especially was "out of the way".
He said the government years ago made a serious blunder in not reserving sites for public buildings in more central positions.
Scandalously, he said the post office was built during the time the late Mr R Haworth represented the district in Parliament, and was erected upon ground belonging to that gentleman.
"The matter was done very quietly, but the residents were to blame for not agitating against the erection in that position," he said.
Mr WJ Wiseman moved that steps be taken to have both built in a more central location. He said the courthouse was so near the tramway, the magistrates and judge were often interrupted by the noise.
"The police station is also in a most out-of-the-way place. In cases of disturbance the police are so far away that one might have to battle with five or six individuals before assistance arrives. It is also necessary in some cases to procure a barrow to wheel drunken men down to the station," he said.
Patrick Lahiff opposed the idea. He said the reasons put forward were "paltry" and unjust to those who had bought property in the vicinity on the faith of the buildings remaining.
Andrew Lysaght moved an amendment that the buildings remain where they were. He said Market Square had been dedicated for use by residents, and there was still a large quantity of vacant land belonging to the Smith family that could be developed in the area. The amendment was carried three to one.
Genealogy tip
The local studies section at Warilla Library has a fascinating collection of materials to assist with your heritage research, including newspapers, electoral rolls and historical photographs.
