Carlton Community History Group

The Carlton Community History Group (CCHG) was established by a committed group of people interested in the history of Carlton, an inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia. CCHG was incorporated in 2007 and launched at the Carlton library in 2008.

We invite you to explore this website, find out more about us, share your recollections and participate in our meetings and activities.

Read about George Ward's recollections of growing up in Henry Street Carlton.

---

Photo: Julie Elder Rathdowne Terrace 331 to 335 Rathdowne Street Carlton

A Tale of Two Terraces In 2010 and again in 2011 CCHG received enquiries on the location of Rathdowne Terrace in Carlton. During the course of our research we discovered that there were two terraces of the same name, each with its own story to tell. Rathdowne Terrace, located at 331 to 335 Rathdowne Street, was built by John Pigdon in the 1870s. John Pigdon, who had extensive property holdings in Carlton and North Carlton, served on the Melbourne City Council and was elected Mayor in 1877. His name is commemorated in Pigdon Street North Carlton. But there was another Rathdowne Terrace, near the southern end of Rathdowne Street, built by the Snowball brothers and dating back to the early development of Carlton in the 1850s. This narrow street of seven small cottages co-existed with its more opulent namesake for more than twenty years. More information

Photo: CCHG Mixed Bathing at Carlton Baths Rathdowne Street Carlton 1 Carlton : a history. MUP, 2004, p. 316-319 2 Carlton Baths and Family Resource Centre redevelopment 3 Walking Melbourne

Carlton Baths Redevelopment On 19 October 2011, the Carlton Baths complex in Rathdowne Street closed for major renovations, the latest makeover in the Baths' 96 year history. The Carlton Baths were offically opened on 11 February 1916, with the original entrance via Victoria Place, a laneway running off Princes St. The introduction of mixed bathing at Carlton and North Melbourne Baths, approved by Melbourne City Council in October 1929, led to major improvements. Five houses in Rathdowne Street (nos. 240-250) were demolished to build a new entrance and changing facitities for both sexes. 1 More recent improvements in the 1970s and 1980s have seen the Carlton Baths transformed into a sporting and recreational facility. The latest redevelopment incorporates water and energy efficient design, improved security and access, and upgraded plant and equipment. 2 During redevelopment, the Carlton Family Resource Centre has relocated to the Kathleen Syme Education Centre, site of the former Faraday Street School. State School No. 112 was designed by architects Reed and Barnes and built by Cockran and Company in 1876-77. The school closed in December 1972, after nearly 100 years of primary school education. The building is classified by the National Trust (B3461) and is on the Victorian Heritage Register (H1625). 3

---