Alpha Book Lounge

A new title from the Alpha Book Lounge has been located in the Christ Church Op Shop, North Essendon, by Marilyn Kenny.  Once again, this relic of a circulating library can tell us about the sort of books the libraries stocked, the length of time they spent on the shelf, changes in opening hours and the fact that the library was co-located with a dry cleaning business, and expands the time period we know the library operated.  Click on the link above for more details about the Alpha Book Lounge which operated in Napier St, Strathmore from about 1953 to 1974.  This is an earlier post on the Alpha Book Lounge.

House photos of Essendon and Flemington

"Anchorage", 25 Carlyle St, Moonee Ponds, circa 1908.  

Courtesy of Louise Falk.

In view of the speed with which the old homes of the district are being demolished and replaced, I have begun a new section of the Time Travellers website for original photos of the old homes.  You can find the link from the front page.   The house above is "Anchorage', still standing at 25 Carlyle St, Moonee Ponds.

St Thomas' Grammar School, Moonee Ponds

The new St Thomas' Grammar School buildings, opened in 1910. The school itself began in 1906, operating in the St Thomas' Sunday School classrooms.   Their new buildings was on the site of the present day Sam Merrifield Library in Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds, next to the St Thomas' vicarage, seen on the right of the school.   Ruth Hollick, a notable Melbourne photographer who lived in Moonee Ponds, took a series of photos of the school and the boys, which you can see on the Time Travellers website.

Galloping Development

Gone - 22 Park Street, Moonee Ponds.  Photo courtesy of Dian Williams.

As the old homes of the district are being demolished at an alarming rate, I have started a new section of the Time Travellers website devoted to original House Photos by Street and Suburb.  It goes without saying that this is a work in progress.