I can’t help it. I’m obsessed with these old photographs. Actually, I’m kinda obsessed with Melbourne’s 19th century history (and my own steampunk recreation of it, in the novel I’m working on) She here we have the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, right beside where I used to live. I love it’s former glory: the iron lacework balconies. The wealthy used to live there. Not so now: from my old apartment window I could see that the upper rooms were filled with piles of old chairs and things.

Queens wharf in 1880, on Flinders street (between King/William and Queen):

Another of Queens Wharf, this one in 1870, so a little earlier.

I think these were the original St Kilda Sea Baths, but the newer photographs (say from 1910) show very different buildings. I’m still finding out their history. But anyway, how cool is it?