history+of+lanes+and+arcades


 * __History of Lanes and Arcades__**

Governor Bourke suggested that the little streets in Melbourne (laneways and alleyways) would be used as access routes for delivery trucks and service properties. By the mid 1800’s there were over 80 named lanes In Melbourne’s CBD. In central Melbourne lanes were mainly used for rubbish tips and the frequent use of a public toilet. The laneways were named after immigrant ships. The laneways filthy backdrops brought criminals and unwanted street violence. In the 1900s they were finally recognised for their heritage character. A corporation lane off Flinders street was renamed AC/DC lane; to commemoration the rock bands hit ‘it’s a long way to the top’. The film clip featured he band performing in the back of a truck driving along Swanston Street. Today lanes have been reborn to modern café hand outs; some are yet to be discovered.

Arcades have been around since the 19th century. The concept originated from the oriental bazaars from the Middle East. Arcades offered luxury goods and specialty items. The first arcade in Melbourne was ‘The Queens Arcade’. The most popular fashion arcade was ‘The Royal Arcade’. The Post war Period brought the building of numerous arcades. Arcades began by laneways being misused and by placing a roof on them. It was also because the public needed to escape weather and the crowds of people travelling into work every day.

Each laneway is named after someone because they either did something great for the community or they just decided that the name of the laneway would be theirs. Or in other cases it would be the name of an immigrant ship from overseas. Degraves Street is named after a merchant pastoralist, William Degraves. He built a steam driven flour mill on the site in 1851. Flinders Lane is named after Navigator, Captain Mathew Flinders in April 1802. He discovered Port Phillip but later recognised the prior arrival in February of the lady Nelson under acting lieutenant John Murray. Menzies Alley was named after Archie Menzies, who was from the Empire Hotel, in 1895. The land where the Royal Arcade now is located was first purchased in 1837 for 20 pounds by Joseph Moore. It was later sold to Simon Staughton in 1855 for 650 pounds. A competition was held to design the Royal arcade in 1868. It was won by Charles Webb. The construction commenced on the 4th of June 1869 and it was officially opened by Charles Amess who was the lord mayor of Melbourne in May 1870. The Gaunts clock, Gog and Magog were installed at the southern end of the arcade in 1892 and the Elizabeth street annex was added in 1902.

Ownership of the arcade was given to Staughton and Spensly families and their decedents until 1958 when it was sold for 540,000 pounds to a company to form by tenants at the time. The original purpose of these laneways and arcades was an escape from the city crowds, Also an excuse for women to go shopping in a quiet place. The original purpose of a laneway was to be a quick entry and a quick exit from back of shops. Some lanes were converted into arcades by adding a roof. 

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