Thames (NZ): Then & Now Richmond Street (1900s & 2019)

Around the town are dotted some grand old villas - high ceilings, a bay window or two, a wrap around terrace and wide staircase leading up to the front door. They were built in the late 19th century to early 1900s.

"A villa was a suburban house that was larger (at least four or five rooms) and more expensive and ornate than a cottage. Villas usually featured two- or four-pane double-hung windows and could be built in Gothic or (neoclassical) Italianate styles." Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

The 'Then & Now' photographs below are firstly of importance for the view of the grand villa on the North-East corner of Richmond and Sandes Street. When the 1900s photo was taken the house belonged to the Court family - the family owned the dress and haberdashery store at the corners of Mary and Pollen Streets.  In the 1923 Street Directory, Alfred Court jnr is recorded as owning the house.  Over the decades the house has been maintained, renovated, but always in keeping with the original features of the home.

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Then & Now N-E corner Richmond & Pollen Streets, Thames. Above 1900s, Below 2019.

Top photo Source (copyright): J Vedder-Price Collection

The second thing to look at is the state of the roads! The street itself has always been wide (compared to many), running from the foot of the Karaka (Una) Hill to the foreshore in the west. Many of the streets were little more than tracks until well into the 20th century. Richmond Street running up the hill is grass and scrub, a footpath clearly visible running across the road. Sandes Street runs across the photo - and the track looks barely one carriage wide.

Further Then & Now Street Views CLICK HERE