Argo Street Bridge
Argo Street SOUTH YARRA, STONNINGTON CITY
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Statement of Significance
Relevant themes from the City of Stonnington Environmental History are indicated by TEH.
What is Significant?
The Argo Street, South Yarra is understood to have been built in 1860 when the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company extended its line from Cremorne to Windsor, to link up with the St Kilda to Brighton Railway. It is a single-span two-lane road bridge retaining its original bluestone abutments in a relatively intact state. The original wrought iron girders have been replaced with reinforced concrete and there is with chain wire fencing on the eastern side of the bridge in place of the original bluestone parapet walls. The road deck was raised in height in 1916 in anticipation of the electrification of the suburban rail network.
Elements that contribute to the significance of the place include (but are not limited to):
- The bridge's early form, materials and detailing.
- The unpainted state of the stonework.
- Unimpeded views to the sides of the bridge abutments and to the bridge parapet walls from the street.
- The absence of signage on the bridge and its immediate environs other than traffic signs.
Modern fabric, including the road deck and metal balustrades, are not significant.
How is it significant?
The Argo Street Bridge is of local historical and architectural significance to the City of Stonnington.
Why is it significant?
The Argo Street Bridge is historically significant as rare surviving evidence of the early development of Melbourne's railway system by private companies (TEH 4.4.1 Early private railways Criterion A & B). The bridge may also be the oldest extant railway structure in the municipality. The Argo Street Bridge is of additional historical interest for its associations with the electrification of the suburban rail network, having been raised in height to provide clearance for electric trains (TEH 4.4.3 Twentieth century improvements).
The Argo Street Bridge is architecturally significant as a representative example of a bridge from the first era of railway construction in Victoria (Criterion D).
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Argo Street Bridge - Physical Description 1
The Argo Street Bridge is a single-span, two-lane road bridge over the Sandringham railway line. It has abutments of rock-face regular coursed bluestone with pilasters on each side. Smooth faced stone is used for string courses and parapet wall coping. The abutments appear substantially intact but the original iron girders have been replaced with a modern concrete structure. The bluestone parapet walls on the east side of bridge have been replaced with steel pipe and chain wire fences.
Argo Street Bridge - Local Historical Themes
The Argo Street Bridge, South Yarra illustrates the following themes, as described in the Stonnington Thematic Environmental History (Context Pty Ltd, 2006):
4.4.1 Early private railways
4.4.3 Twentieth century improvementsHeritage Study and Grading
Stonnington - Heritage Places in the City of Stonnington - Heritage Citations Project
Author: Bryce Raworth Pty Ltd
Year: 2013
Grading: A2
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PRIMARY SCHOOL NO. 1467Victorian Heritage Register H1032
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PRAHRAN TOWN HALLVictorian Heritage Register H0203
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FORMER POLICE STATION AND COURT HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0542
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