Christchurch, 1860s

Over six years of writing and research uncovered surprising connections for me: not one but two shops were owned by the Harts in the centre of early Christchurch. Prior to this discovery I had always assumed the Harts set off for the West Coast within a short time of their arrival in January 1865.

High Street

Early Christchurch prior to 1860 Taken by Alfred Barker from the new Provincial Government buildings.

In the left middle distance Cathedral Square can be seen marked by white fences and shrubbery around the perimeter. Beyond that is Fishers Corner and the spire of the Methodist church on High Street.

Central Christchurch c1862. Showing the Square at the top, Hereford Street, Cashel Street and High Street intersecting at an angle. Nathaniel Hart’s first shop was close to the corner of High and Hereford Street.

(map detail from Christchurch City Libraries)High Street 1863 showing the smaller shops between Fishers Corner and the Methodist Church. One of these was Nathaniel Hart’s first shop. Image: Illustrated London News

Windmill Road

Panorama of early Christchurch from the Provincial Government buildings looking south-east towards Antigua Street. This image shows the windmill (which was already gone by 1865) that gave the popular name “Windmill Road” to the area where the Harts were living when they had their last baby, Barnett Hart in 1866.

Hereford Street

Hereford Street c1880. Nathaniel Hart’s second shop was ‘three doors down’ from Fishers Corner which is on the far right of this image. The second shop would have backed onto their first shop on High Street.

Top: BNZ on the north corner of Hereford Street and the shops opposite. Nathaniel Hart’s second shop was most likely one of the small shops past the verandah.  Bottom: Hereford Street looking east prior to the 2011 earthquakes. Most of the buildings in this view have since been demolished.