Queen Street, western side, viewed from the vicinity of Fort Street
ca.1880 (unknown photographer) - 2022
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Historical image: copy by Henry Winkelmann of a photograph by an unknown photographer | Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1-W0295
The New Zealand Insurance Company building (seen at centre in the historical image, with the clock tower) was constructed between 1869 and 1871. The following report appeared in the Auckland Star, 14 October 1870.
Dating the historical picture: this photograph must have been made no later than 1882 as from that date the Bank of New Zealand building, seen here at centre-left, was extended. The Colonial Bank building, seen here to the left of the NZI building, was referred to as being "new" in a newspaper report from June 1879 (Auckland Star, 7 June 1879, page 3).
After dominating this section of Queen Street for over 40 years the NZI building was demolished in 1915, as seen in a Henry Winkelmann photograph below. The building's replacement (seen in the 2022 view) is rising in the background.
Henry Winkelmann | Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1-W1353
And yes, the new NZI building was also to have a clock:
Auckland Star 1 April 1916 page 6
For a very similar view of Queen Street made by Josiah Martin about ten years later, click here.
