ALEXANDRA GARDENS
ALEXANDRA AVENUE MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
Please visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out more about the Heritage Inventory.
-
-
ALEXANDRA GARDENS - History
Heritage Inventory History of Site: The area where the Alexandra Gardens is located was originally a swampy area of lagoons, the flood plain of the Yarra. Whitehead described the area in 'Civilizing the City' as swampy, scarred by brickmakers' pits that became lagoons and subject to periodic flooding. During the period 1896-1900 a new channel for the Yarra was built to prevent flooding and improve the area. The spoil from the channel was used to fill the lagoons along the south bank and build up the level of the land. the Alexandra Ave, Park and Gardens were planned and laid out following the reclamation of the land and prior to the Royal visit in May 1901 by the Duke of York.
ALEXANDRA GARDENS - Interpretation of Site
Heritage Inventory Interpretation: The archaeological investigation reveals that the site had comprised of orange gravel cambered paths edged with glazed tile spoon drains (Cornwell's). The paths had been maintained over the years being repaired with bitumen and resurfaced several times. The paths encircled the oval garden bed and a star shaped garden bed. These beds had compacted stone and clay foundations. The spoon drain that encircled the oval garden bed fed into a storm water access pit and drain at its western edge. The overlying fill and top soil was laid down sometime after the second world war when the garden s were simplified. Artefacts were found in association with the fill and the earlier features..
ALEXANDRA GARDENS - Historical Significance
The site has the potential to contain historical archaeological deposits related to the former occupation of the site by the Immigration House (also known as the Immigration Aid Society), established in the 1840s.
Heritage Inventory Description
ALEXANDRA GARDENS - Heritage Inventory Description
The Alexandra Gardens are located on the south side of the Yarra by the Princess Bridge. The original features of the garden exist below the current features covered after the Second World War to simplify maintenance. The path that circled the oval garden bed was covered and reoriented to run through the northern side of the garden bed. The path that circled the star garden bed further east was totally covered and the round beds between the star were grassed over.
Heritage Inventory Significance: Medium. Extensive remains of early features (1900-1945). Remains are in good condition. similar paths were used at Royal Botanical gardens, but none remain; representative of a type. Reflective of the history of public gardens in Melbourne, the changes in attitude toward them and their care (Criterion A)
Heritage Inventory Site Features: Oval garden bed, Orange gravel paths, Blazed tile spoon drain "Cornwells",Stormwater drain and access pit, Star garden bed, Other garden beds.
-
-
-
-
-
RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0513
-
RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0514
-
SALVATION ARMY TEMPLEVictorian Heritage Register H0436
-
-