William Street, from railway crossing, Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

View looking to the river from the intersection of William and Wellington Streets. Most of the buildings appear to be for commercial use and the shopsigns include those advertising: S.Visbord, Clothier & Outfitter; C. Coulson & Co., Undertakers & Furniture Manufacturers; and, The Perth Fish & Oyster Co..The foreground railway building is of brick construction with a corrugated iron roof. Further down the street can be seen the Gothic revival spire of the Wesley Church, built in 1867 to a design by Richard Jewell. The building on the opposite corner from the railway bridge is the Royal Hotel. Built in 1882, it is an example of the influence of French Second Empire architectural style with its multiple, high-pitched mansard roofs and cast-iron ornament. The streetscene is populated largely by men and there are several cyclists and a variety of horsedrawn vehicles. The man standing in the middle of the street wearing a helmet is perhaps a policeman. The power and telegraph poles of this era are particularly conspicuous. Show more