BATMAN’S HILL, MELBOURNE. EARLY 1860s
The rise of land seen in this photo has enormous significance to the white settlement and development of Melbourne, beginning in 1835.
The location is (was) immediately west of what is now Spencer Street, between Collins and Flinders Streets. From the early 1860s the area was occupied by the Victorian Railways who later built their Administration building, rail-yards and sheds on the site.
The 18 metre tall hill was first named ‘Pleasant Hill’ by pioneer John Pascoe Fawkner. It became Batman’s Hill when in 1836 fellow pioneer John Batman built his home there with his schooner ‘Rebecca’ anchored nearby in the Yarra River. Batman lived there until his death in 1839.
This photo, looking to a cottage, sheds and even a washing line was taken by John H. Jones around 1860-1861. The photo cannot have been taken later than 1863 as in that year the hill was partially levelled for the expansion of the Spencer Street railway station.
The photo is half of a stereoscopic image. I shall include the full scene in comments below.
BATMAN’S HILL was such a landmark to Melbourne that in 1837 when Robert Hoddle laid out his street plan for the new city, the hill served as his western reference point. This is indicted by its prominence on Hoddle’s plan. See photo below.
The Hill had other uses following Batman’s death. It was a position for navigation beacons and once held a small hospital. The Government acquired the western slope in 1847 for a powder magazine.
But it was in 1859 when the original Spencer Street railway station (known initially as Batmans Hill) was built, that the days of the hill were numbered.
The station and yards were extended from 1863 which is when what had been the historically significant Batman’s Hill was levelled.
The road sign points to Sandridge (Port Melbourne) via the ferry across the river.
(photographer credit: John. H. Jones 1817-1872)
text: Tony Beyer
