By Roselyn Fauth

I have learned that our CBD is a mash-up of centuries of ideas, styles, and influences. Kings, queens, wars, relsions, politicians – all those global stories filtered down and ended up shaping the facade on the streets of Timaru. This blog features bluestone our very special rock that has been quarried localy for construction.

Bluestone is the local name for the rock. It is also called Basalt, which is cooled lava. The lava in Timaru flowed here from near Waipouri/Mt Horrible to what is now the coast around 2 - 2.5 million years ago. It flowed like flingers creating the ridges of our towns geography. Many of our streets and roads follow the humps and hollows. You can see the cooled lava along our coast, which now forms reefs and important marine habitat. 

Centennial Park was a former quarry. The Harbour Board used the rock to construct the Port. There were multiple quarries in Timaru. The rock was used for civil work like underground stromwater drains, bridges, to mitigate coastal erosion, the historic Reservoir was lined in basalt. And many of our special heritage buildings and monuments had bluestone incorporated into its construction.

Below are photos that I have collected over time of bluestone buildings, monuments, fences etc... incase you are curious about how we have used our lava rock in the past.

For me, the bluestone, bricks and mortar in our town are more than just structures. They help us connect to our past, like bookmarks in our history timeline that remind us who we were and where we’ve come from...

Photograph of buildings that face Stafford Street from behind - a bluestone building stands amongst the brick - Roselyn Fauth 2026

Former Timaru Gladstone Board of Works - RFauth-2026

Former Criterion Hotel - bluestone building - R Fauth 2026_115110

Former Union Bank 

Section of photo Stafford Street Timaru by Muir and Moodie Te Papa 014724

Whites Aviation photo from Retrolens - Multiple Aerial Photos stitched together to show the coastline in 1956

1909 Photograph taken by an unidentified photographer employed or contracted by 'The Press' newspaper of Christchurch.Stafford Street, Timaru, with carts, horses and people in the street. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008815-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29944621

Stafford Street, looking up, 1904, Timaru, by Muir & Moodie. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (PS.001032)

1934-07-11 When Timaru Is On Pleasure Bent: An Animated Scene In Stafford Street During The Holiday Season - supplement to the Auckland Weekly News, 11 July 1934, p.43. Please acknowledge Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19340711-43-01 - No known copyright restrictions

[Stafford Street, Timaru], New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (C.014724)

1900 Street scene, Stafford Street, Timaru, including horses and carts. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008712-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29945985

The 1868 fire that destroyed three quarters of Timaru's CBD wooden buildings, started behind the shop on the far right at the corner of Stafford Street and Church Street and destroyed buildings up to near Woollcombe Street. Looking across Strathallan Street from site of P.G.G.. Hocken Snapshop. hocken.recollect.co.nz/24022

The Ship Hotel on the corner of Strathallan and Stafford Street, Timaru, sometime in the 1860s prior to the fire of 1868. A copy negative, believed to have been taken by William Ferrier, of an original print. South Canterbury Museum - CN: 2019/049.34

Heritage buildings aren’t just old walls; they’re storytellers, holding the hopes and choices of the people who built our towns

1910 New Zealand Government Life and Accident Insurance building, Stafford Street, Timaru, with men, horses and carts in the foreground. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008809-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29939829

Stafford St. 1941. Photographer New Zealand Herald W B Beattie. 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1370-464-02' when re-using this image. Hay's Building to the right. Learn more

CML Building Corner - Timaru. Photo: Roselyn Fauth 2025 

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 35-R1485

Corner of Stafford, Church and Strathallan Streets. Store SC Dresden - sold pianos. The Old Bank Hotel Robert Bowie, Stafford St., sold pickles.

1911 A fleet of motor cars in parade, on a street lined with commercial buildings, Timaru, to celebrate the coronation of George V. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008618-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29944218

Overlooking Church Street and towards the harbour, Timaru. You can see the Old Bank on the Corner of Stafford and Church Street. - The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008810-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29946828

Looking along Stafford Street, Timaru showing (on right) the Empire Hotel, with advertisement for Speight's Beer, boxing show and taxi stand outside; England McRae Ltd - ironmongers; P W Hutton and Co (by advertisement for Onoto Pens) - bookshop. On the left is the Crown Hotel, with motorcycle and sidecar parked outside. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 35-R1477

Corner of Stafford and Church Street, Timaru - Photography By Roselyn Fauth 2025

1934-07-11 One of Timaru's Main Shopping Centres: A Busy Day In Stafford Street North - supplement to the Auckland Weekly News, 11 July 1934, p.43. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19340711-43-01 - No known copyright restrictions

1915 Looking down Stafford Street in Timaru, circa 1915, with shops lining both sides of the street. The shop second in from the right, with the ornate facade, is the business of T & J Thomson. Cars, horse drawn carriages and bicycles can also be seen on the street. Taken by Frederick George Radcliffe. Tiaki IRN: 133640 Tiaki Reference Number: 1/2-006892-G Collection: PA-Group-00408: Radcliffe, Frederick George, 1863-1923 : New Zealand post card negatives

Looking south along Stafford Street, Timaru showing (at right) A Washer and Company - auctioneer. At left is W Angland and Company - grain and produce merchants, outside of which stands a motorcycle with sidecar. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection 35-R1476

1900 Stafford Street, Timaru, with people standing in the street, horses and carts and people on bicycles. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008716-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29947735

Timaru, 1902, Timaru, by Melvin Vaniman. Purchased 2024. Te Papa (O.051719)

Stafford Street, Timaru 41916? Looking down Stafford Street, Timaru. Showing (at left) Ballantyne's store at the corner of Stafford and Canon Streets; A Washer and Company - auctioneers. On the left is H A Glenie - motor and livery stables; Adams Ltd - motor garage. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 35-R1486. No known copyright restrictions

1910-11 Sacred Heart Basilica - Blue Plaque that was organised with the Timaru Civic Trust and South Canterbury Historic Places Trust. Right: The church. Photography by Roselyn Fauth 2025

Roman Catholic Church, Timaru, 1912, Timaru, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (O.001824)

Roman Catholic Church, Timru - Photo By Ferrier - in handwriting reads, RJ Newton - Postcard sourced from Facebook

St Marys Church, Timaru, circa 1909, Timaru, by William Ferrier. Te Papa (O.051437)

Saint Mary's Anglican Church, Timaru, with crowds of people and a motor car out the front. The Press (Newspaper) :Negatives. Ref: 1/1-008664-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/29947796

Edinburgh Portrait Gallery, St Mary's Church, Timaru (1871). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 10/09/2025, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/52118

St Mary's Anglican Church, Timaru 1894 - Photo by William Ferrier. The New Zealand Graphic and Ladies Journal, 30 June 1894, p.616. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-18940630-0616-01. No known copyright restrictions

Timaru.  From the album Scenes of New Zealand, circa 1880, Timaru, by Messrs. F. Bradley & Co. Te Papa (O.042400)

Chalmers Church from Church Street, Timaru, circa 1910, Timaru, by William Ferrier. Te Papa (O.051446)

A view from the lighthouse on The Terrace, Timaru, looking west toward Chalmers Church, circa 1920. Several buildings and businesses can be seen along Stafford and the surrounding Streets, including the Carlton Bros, coal merchants. The title and photographer's name appear in the lower centre of the image.  Chalmers Church - South Canterbury Museum 2466b

  South Canterbury Museum The Methodist Wesley Church, Timaru (# 4419)

Photo of the Timaru Landing Services Building - Courtosey of Phil Brownie

Photograph of the foot of George Street, Timaru, circa 1868. The building is pictured in the centre is a landing service building (either the Timaru Landing and Shipping Company or the George Street Landing Service), while Rhodes' original cottage is to the left. South Canterbury Museum 2000/210.095

Here you can see the boat launch at the foot of George Street, the Landings Service Building and beside it the Rhodes cottage. Hocken Snapshop hocken.recollect.co.nz/24023

Timaru circa 1904 Dunedin by Muir and Moodie Te Papa C014423 - section of photo

ABOVE: 1870 photograph of what was then known as South Road, Timaru (present day Stafford Street) showing construction underway of Richard Turnbull’s Stone Store up the hill on the left.  On the corner is Richard Turnbulls shop that was rebuilt in stone after the 1868 fire. – Alfred Charles Barker, Canterbury Museum ID 13/57.

Postcard - Timaru April 1876 Herald Office on Great South Rd and other buildings. (Stafford street just down from Theatre Royal). The obscured building on left is the Criterion Hotel, later renamed the Excelsior. - courtesy of Jason Westaway

The Post Office and the Public Library, Timaru. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 10/09/2025, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23731

Stafford Street, Timaru (1880-1884). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 10/09/2025, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/66686

Section of a photo of Stafford Street, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (C.014725) 

August 2025 - Photography By Roselyn Fauth

Club Hotel that used to be owned by Strong Work Morrison, Timaru's first beach master, on the corner of timaru s Stafford, Strathan Street intersection MA I470176 TePapa Dunedin. Today the corner has been revitalised as a town square. And the building was demolished and replaced with a modern building that in 2025 housed the ANZ Bank.

Crop from a photo of Timaru in 1875. By Burton Brothers, Alfred Burton. Te Papa (C.014374) 

Bluestone Wall on King George Place Timaru - RFauth 2026

Timaru Polytechnic Bluestone Wall - Photo Roselyn Fauth 2026

1904 Post Office Timaru Muir and Moodie Te Papa 014680 

Timaru Bluestone Wall at the Polytech - Photo Roselyn Fauth 2026

South Canterbury War Memorial

Timaru War tour Timaru Monument Photo By Roselyn Fauth 2026. Queen Street, beside Timaru Botanic Gardens. 1918 discussion begins, 1925 construction, 25 April 1926 unveiling. Designed by Herbert Hall, constructed by Parkinson and Co of Auckland for the South Canterbury fallen and Anzac Day community

6. South Canterbury War Memorial

Location: Queen Street, beside Timaru Botanic Gardens
Access: Public
Associated years: 1918 discussion begins, 1925 construction, 25 April 1926 unveiling
Associated people/groups: Herbert Hall, Parkinson and Co of Auckland, South Canterbury fallen, Anzac Day community

The South Canterbury War Memorial is one of Timaru’s central civic war sites. This is a park/gardens war memorial, with a cross, wreath, orb and column, unveiled on 25 April 1926.

Architect Herbert Hall designed the monument in a fluted Corinthian column on a stepped base, made of basalt, granite, marble and bronze, topped by a wreath, orb and cross. There were discussions about a memorial in October 1918, even before peace was formally declared.

This is the civic heart of Timaru’s formal war remembrance. Many New Zealand dead were buried overseas, so local memorials became substitute graves, teaching places and gathering places. The memorial’s position near the Botanic Gardens matters because it places grief within a public landscape of life, rest and civic identity.

Find a WuHoo: Read the names. Then look back down Memorial Avenue. The memorial is not isolated; it is part of a designed landscape of public remembrance.

ANZAC Timaru War Monuments and Signage - The Lone Pine tree. Timaru Botanic Gardens - Photo Roselyn Fauth

Troopers War Memorial

Troopers War Memorial. The Timaru Troopers’ Memorial remembers local men who died in the South African War, also called the Boer War. NZ History records the inscription: “This memorial is erected by the inhabitants of Timaru and districts to the memory of their soldier sons who died in action or from wounds or disease during the Boer War 1899-1902.” It also records names on the memorial, including men who served in South Africa and later fell in the Great War. Photo R Fauth 2026

Section of a photo taken by the Burton Brothers on Church Street. Te Papa looks to be a brick building

Section of a photo Photo taken by the Burton Brothers on Stafford Street. Te Papa looks to be timber buildings 1870s

Section of a photo Photo taken by the Burton Brothers on Strathallan Street. Te Papa the building at the left is the Horse Bazar and part of its construction includes bluestone

Timaru, from Grosvenor Hotel, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (C.014406) a bluestone building appear to the right

 [Stafford Street, Timaru], Dunedin, by Muir & Moodie. Te Papa (C.014724)

Stafford St Timaru c1905 Muir and Moodie Te Papa 014382

Ship Hotel Safford Strathallan St 1870s -Burton Brothers Te Papa 014591

MA_I811893_TePapa_The-Main-School-Timaru_preview 1909

1859 The first formally controlled school in Timaru began under the Church of England. This predates the later bluestone Main School building. Background history from local account.
1870 Public pressure grew for a non-denominational public school and in 1872 A school site was approved at Wilson’s Paddock, bordered by North Street, Theodosia Street, Arthur Street and Grey Road.

1873–1874: Bluestone brought in for the original Timaru Main School building. the foundation stone was laid 1873 and the first classrooms opened in October 1874. 

1877–1878 The former headmaster’s house, now known as Bluestone House, was built beside the school. In 2012 Buestone House was vacated because of earthquake-strength concerns.

1921 The Timaru Main School War Memorial was erected at the corner of Arthur Street and Grey Road. Its lower parts are bluestone/basalt and its upper sections are granite.

1956: The original bluestone school demolished. At least some salvaged stone was reused at the Pātītī Point bluestone BBQ / barbecue area, a project championed by the Rotary Club of Timaru.

2004–2005 Timaru Main School and Timaru West School were merged, becoming Bluestone School on the Timaru West site.