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Taylor Square in the 60s and Beyond

TAYLOR SQUARE A BRIEF HISTORY & TOUR




Oxford Street, a haven for 'crime and drugs'

Oxford Street is the major commercial street of Darlinghurst, running from Hyde Park, through to Taylor Square and beyond through to Paddington, Woollahra and Bondi Junction. It was a toll road in its early years with the toll gates being located near present day Glenmore Road. Oxford Street assumed its current name in 1875. In recent years it has become renowned for its annual Gay Mardi Gras. The punks replaced the hippies in the mid '70s, the gays replaced the punks, and so it goes on. 

Taylor Square, is the intersection of Oxford, Flinders, Burke Streets.  It is surrounded by the suburbs of Paddington, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Surry Hills. The historical buildings in the area, include the National Art School (East Sydney Technical College and formerly Darlinghurst Gaol), Victoria Barracks, SCEGGS, Darlinghurst Court House, Sacred Heart and St Vincents Hospital. 

In the early '60s The Odeon or West's Theatre (cnr. Oxford and South Dowling Streets), was a regular meeting place for youngsters from the inner city, featuring Talent  and Yo Yo championships during interval. 


In the late 1960s, The Odeon was renamed the Mandala and featured rare and x-rated moves referred to as 'underground movies', some I recall are,  Fellini's '8 1/2', 'Juliet of the Spirits' and 'Satyricon', and, the hilarious spoof 'Fritz the Cat'.  Live entertainment was presented by Tully (Sea of Joy) 

'August 1969 was another important month for Tully 
-- Fusions premiered on ABC on August 1, and on August 17 
Tully headlined a (Harry M. Miller-produced) concert at Sydney Town Hall, 
supported by the John Sangster Quintet and The Executives. 
A similar show at the Mandala Theatre was also a success ... Milesago
In the late '60s Oxford Street became akin to Haight-Ashbury with hippies wandering up and down, blues and jug band music drifting from the numerous wine bars and pubs. One could detect the scent of stained leather wafting from Frank's Cafe, Indian clothing, trinkets and paraphernalia were displayed for purchase in import stores. Anybody remember the store opposite the Mandala that sold of 'real' yoghurt  with fresh chunky fruit from large containers or vats?

Picture
Picture
Darlinghurst Courthouse 2010
The Darlinghurst Court House is located on Oxford Street at Taylor Square, in the inner city suburb of Darlinghurst. This sandstone court house is still used by the New South Wales Supreme Court. The central block, designed by Mortimer Lewis, was built in 1835 in the Greek revival architectural style, with the side wings added in the 1880s. The court house was connected to the old Darlinghurst Gaol, which was located directly behind it, via underground passages.
(Photo 1933 - Fairfax Archives, NLA

The roman numeral date on the portico (MDCCCLXXXVIII = 1888) is the longest roman year numeral for many years. (The year following was MDCCCLXXXIX)
Picture
Cnr Oxford and Flinders 1909
Beauchamp Hotel - cnr Oxford and Sth Dowling
259 Oxford, a few doors up from the Beauchamp
290 South Dowling Street
Cnr Flinders and Oxford '09
Mandala Theatre - cnr Sth Dowling and Oxford. Fellini, Fritz the Cat lightshows, Tully
A midnight romp to the servo for a delightful greasy hamburger
Taylor Street '09
Sacred Heart
223 Oxford '09
223 Oxford
1978
Fashion sense ... the corner of Oxford and Liverpool streets at the boulevard's city end, c.1903. Photo: William Livermore
Courthouse Hotel
Sydney Court House
East Sydney Technical College, once the notorious Darlinghurst Gaol
Cell Block Theatre
Darlinghurst Public School
Darlinghurst Public School, attended 1952-1959
Taylor Square_Allen Taylor, Lord Mayor Sydney 6 years 1905 (SLNSW).
National Library Australia 

History of Taylor Square

Oxford Street, 1938

Map of Taylor Square
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