Before the Christchurch Earthquakes

February 20, 2014  •  Leave a Comment

   

 

This Saturday is the 3rd anniversary of the earthquake that killed 185 people and changed the city of Christchurch forever.

It was the third most expensive natural disaster ever, behind only the Japan Tsunami and the Thailand floods.

80% of buildings in the central city suffered irreparable damage from the quakes and have since been demolished. Empty spaces are all that remain where many of the historic buildings once stood proudly.

 

The Christchurch CathedralThe Christchurch Cathedral

ChristChurch Cathedral, the city's symbol, as it stood before the quakes. (taken in 2008)
It was a Category 1 building.

 

Recently while looking through old photos, I found a large number of pre quake Christchurch photos. Today I sorted out some of the more well known landmarks, and decided to put them all together here on a blog post for others to see. 

I hope they bring back lots of pleasant memories of how Christchurch once looked.

 

Press BuildingPress Building

The Press Building. Cnr of Worcester and Colombo street, behind the Cathedral 

(It was a Category 1 Heritage building)

 

Edmonds Band RotundaEdmonds Band Rotunda

 Edmonds Band Rotunda, Avon River, Manchester St

(It was a Category 2 Heritage building)

 

Inside Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament HallInside Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Hall Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

(It was a Category 1 Heritage building)

 

Inside the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament DomeInside the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Dome

Main dome, Inside the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

 

New regent StreetNew regent Street

New regent Street, and the Grand Chancellor.

 

St Johns Anglican ChurchSt Johns Anglican Church St John's Anglican Church (Where the Cardboard Cathedral now stands).

(It was a Category 1 Heritage building)

 

St Pauls Trinity Pacific ChurchSt Pauls Trinity Pacific Church St Paul's Trinity Pacific Church, Cnr of Cashel St and Madras.Built in 1887.

A few weeks after I took this photo, this church was badly burnt in a fire. It was being repaired when the Chch earthquake struck.

(It was a Category 1 Heritage building)

 

Provincial HotelProvincial Hotel Provincial Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Christchurch. Licensed in 1865.

(It was a Category 1 Heritage building)

 

UnknownUnknown I'm not sure which building this was on, I remember I took it somewhere in the square in 2008.

Last time I was in the Square, I had a look at the remaining buildings, but it's gone.

 

Clarendon TowerClarendon Tower Clarendon Tower, one of the highest buildings in Christchurch before the quakes.
(It was a Category 2 Heritage building)

 

This list of all the tall buildings that have been destroyed since the quakes is pretty amazing.

And the Historic Places Trust website has some good information about some of the older buildings lost.

 --If I have any facts wrong in this blog, let me know and I will edit it --

 

If you enjoyed this, follow me on my facebook page
Check out some of my other photography:

Mt Fuji here

The amazing Jewel Beetle here

Perfect rainbows here

Hilarious Frogs here

 

Follow me on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/DamonBayPhotography

 

フェイスブックで「いいね!」をしたら、新しくアップする写真や記事を見れるよ!

Please help me out by clicking this blog vote button.

いつも見てくれてありがとうございます。ブログランキングもやっています↓

 

 


Comments

No comments posted.
Loading...

Archive
January February March April May June July (6) August (8) September (2) October (5) November (7) December (7)
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January (2) February (1) March April (2) May June July (1) August September October November December