Tram wires dominate the skyline, hundreds of people spill out onto the streets and warm dark coats are the clothing item of choice.
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It’s not the pedestrian crossing outside Flinders Street Station – it’s Ballarat in 1902.
The amazing picture comes courtesy of Ballarat man Max Harris, who has been collecting rare and histo-rical images of Victoria’s gold rush capital for 40 years.
Mr Harris has restored images dating back to 1857, including the streetscape snap taken from the Camp Street corner and a rare 1860s shot of Sturt Street taken from the old fire station tower.
The building which is now the Golden City Hotel can be made out on the right as the vista winds back to what is now Bridge Mall.
Mr Harris said historical photographs of Ballarat have been his passion for decades.
He said the one depicting a celebration of the Coronation of King Edward VII in August 1902 was given to him as a glass plate years ago, but has since been broken.
“I took a copy before it broke,” he said.
“It’s one of the pictures that not many people have seen.”
Mr Harris said it was interesting to note the differences between the main street of Ballarat then and now.
“People used to go out to celebrate things all the time,” he said.
“Today, they would just sit at home and watch it all on television.”
Mr Harris is looking to sell copies of a personalised book containing these and many more pictures of old-world Ballarat.
To enquire about the book, call Mr Harris on 0402 812 376.