What really old photos tell us about earlier days of Timaru... Images from the Hocken Library of Timaru around 1860-70s
"A view of Stafford Street, Timaru, in 1864. Taken from George Street looking across the largely empty sections north of the Bank Of New Zealand building (out of shot on the right), towards the Cobb & Co livery stables on Beswick Street (top right). Inscribed with the title and "protected W. Ferrier". Ferrier was not the photographer who took the image, but clearly purchased the plate after he came to Timaru in 1881, perhaps from another retiring photographer (a common practise of the time)." - South Canterbury Museum 6116 https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/photo/C9B559BC-4DE9-48C8-AF40-603871076306
A view of Stafford Street, Timaru, in 1864. Taken from George Street looking across the largely empty sections north of the Bank Of New Zealand building (out of shot on the right), towards the Cobb & Co livery stables on Beswick Street (top right). Inscribed with the title and "protected W. Ferrier". Ferrier was not the photographer who took the image, but clearly purchased the plate after he came to Timaru in 1881, perhaps from another retiring photographer (a common practise of the time). - South Canterbury Museum 6116
c1864 George St to East Timaru South Canterbury Museum 2094. The buildings of Clarkson & Turnbull plus the Post Office appearon the right. Two men are pictured standing outside the Post Office while a horse and wagon can be seen outside Russell Ritchie and Co. on the left. In the background two ships are visible in the roadstead.
Corner of Stafford and George Streets Timaru South Canterbury Museum 6108
Gabites corner, Timaru. South Canterbury Museum 2019/049.32 https://timdc.pastperfectonline.com/photo/3B05B0B3-C62C-4CDF-9279-291299517379
George St, Timaru, looking toward Bank of N.Z.. Hocken Digital Collections, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23463
Looking across Strathallan Street from site of P.G.G.. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23481
Boat launch. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23485
George St, looking towards seed. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23488
Guyzon House looking towards sea. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23492
George Street. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23495
Timaru waterfront. Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23499
George Street, Timaru (1869-70). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23512
George St, Timaru, looking towards the sea (C. 1870). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23684
View over Timaru looking towards the Sea (1860-1870). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23632
Looking towards the sea near Timaru (1871-1875). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23692
Timaru Caroline Bay rocky cliff area of coastline with the harbour and sailing ships in the distance 14797
This photograph shows a rocky cliff area of coastline with the harbour and sailing ships in the distance. Unknown, Timaru coast (c.1880s). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 23/07/2026, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/58441