Monthly Archives: January 2010

Balmain Town Hall dome

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In this 1909 aerial image by Kerry Studios we can see the dome that was situated on top of Balmain Town Hall – a handsome complement to its dome-topped neighbour the Balmain Court House.

Built in 1888 and designed by architect E. H. Buchannan the Balmain Town Hall  is classified as a ‘Victorian Free Classical’ style building.

The dome was supported on an arcaded storey,  capped by a lantern and was designed to emphasise the stair tower. The design of one dome as opposed to two was a break away from the symmetrical precepts which denoted Victorian Classical Style buildings. What resulted was an asymmetrrical building in the Classical style, freely interpreted.

The dome, lantern and arcaded storey were removed during World War II  leaving a gap in the skyline of Darling Street’s civic precinct.  More on Kerry & Co studios can be found at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/theme,1420,Charles_Kerry_Photography_Studio_1885-1917

Air raid shelters, Balmain

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Sunlight Oil and Soapworks (later Unilever) Balmain, c1928

Betty Sparnon grew up in Balmain and writes “we often played in the old air raid shelter near Unilever and I recently met another child of Balmain who remembers an air raid shelter under a factory opposite the Dry Dock Hotel. How can we find out more about these shelters?”

We searched our collection but haven’t uncovered anything that would assist Betty. If you have any information on air raid shelters around Balmain, contact us at localhistory@lmc.nsw.gov.au and we will pass this information on to Betty.