i SYDNEY CITY MISSION HOSTEL SITE I COMMONWEALTH,...

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

SYDNEY CITY MISSION HOSTEL SITE

COMMONWEALTH, HUNT AND CAMPBELL STREETS - SURRY HILLS

A Report Prepared for Jackson Teece Chesterman and Willis

On Behalf of Sydney City Mission

March 1995

WENDY THORP '

I~. ________ ~ ________ __

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CONTENTS OF THE REPORT

1.0

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

4.0

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

. Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Context of the Investigation

Context of the Study . . . .

Location and Parameters of the Investigation

Objectives . .

Methodology .

Authorship and Acknowledgements.

Historic Context . . .

Phase I: 1788 - 1854 .

Phase II: 1854 - 1929

Phase Ill: 1929 - 1995

The Potential Archaeological Resource & Its Management .

Identifying the Potential Resource .

Physical Evidence . . . . . . . . .

Significance of the Potential Resource

Impact of the Development & Management of the Resource

2

2

2

3

3

4

5

6

7

9

10

10

11

11

11

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5.0

5.1

5.2

5.3

7.0

Supplementary Documentation

Abbreviations Used in the Text

Endnotes ...

Bibliography .

Management Strategies

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13

13

15

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Archaeological Assessment: Sydney City Mission

SECTION 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The subject of this report is the potential archaeological resource contained within the land bound by Commonwealth, Hunt and Campbell Stre~ts, Surry Hills. The land is to be . redeveloped for the Sydney City Mission and it is the objective of this study to determine the extent, nature and significance of the potential archaeological resource as a means of determining the most appropriate means of management throughout that redevelopment.

Analysis of primary archival evidence and an evaluation of limited physical evidence has produced an archaeological profile for this site of late nineteenth century residential buildings housing working class families. The majority of this evidence is likely to have been destroyed or removed by several building programmes carried out during the early decades of the twentieth century.

The significance of this potential archaeological resource is determined to be low. While it is consistent with sites which have been subject to investigation for the purpose of documenting similar conditions the degree of disturbance on this site is such that little, if anything, of a new or complimentary nature is likely to be gained from it either through controlled excavation or monitoring and recording.

No further archaeological action is required on this site although the owners and managers are reminded of their responsibilities under the Heritage Act of NSW. If substantial archaeological relics are unearthed during the redevelopment the Heritage Council must be informed and advice sought with regard to the most appropriate means of management.

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SECTION 2.0 CONTEXT OF THE INVESTIGATION

2.1 Context of the Study

This report has been prepared on behalf of Jackson Teece Chesterman and Willis who are acting on behalf of Sydney City Mission. The study area was identified in the City of Sydney Archaeological Zoning Plan as one of archaeological potential (partially disturbed). This assessment, therefore, is required as one component of a Development Application to be presented to Sydney City Council.

2.2 Location and Parameters of the Investigation

The subject of this investigation is an area ofland identified as the block bound by Commonwealth, Hunt and Campbell Streets, Surry Hills. The site is occupied by several warehouses and other structures except for a small vacant portion at the eastern end.

This report generally may be termed an archaeological assessment and strategy document. 11 Archaeological 11 resources may be defined as physical evidence that resides within or on the site and which may be used to document, explain or illustrate the past occupation, management and use of that land. This evidence, termed a 11 relic 11 or 11 relics 11 , is defined within the Heritage Act of New South Wales 1977 (amended 1987) as,

"any deposit, object or material evidence not being Aboriginal settlement;

a) which is fifty or more years old and,

b) that relate to the settlement of the area that comprises New South Wales".

This report considers only the potential below ground archaeological resources.

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2.3 Objectives

This report is primarily concerned with determining whether significant archaeological resources are contained within the study area and, if so, how these resources should be managed as part of the development process. Four separate objectives were defined for this work. These were:

• to identify the historical evolution of the site; to determine if physical evidence, relics, of that evolution may be contained within the site;

• to evaluate the significance of any extant relics;

• to define strategies that may be implemented for the future management of those resources. These strategies encompass statutory requirements and are commensurate with the assessment of significance.

2.4 Methodology

A number of tasks were identified that were necessary to achieve these objectives. These were:

2.4.1 Identification of Existing or Complimentary Research

The site has been identified in the Archaeological Zoning Plan for Sydney as one of archaeological potential (partially disturbed). No other archaeological research or assessment has been carried out apart from this preliminary description. No site specific research was available at the commencement of this investigation. Similarly there is no archaeological site work available in the close vicinity of the study area.

2.4.2 Primary Research

The definition of archaeological resources within the study area and an assessment of their significance are both dependent upon a precise, site specific historical context. This information is primarily used to evaluate the general theme or cultural context of that past use as well as identify areas which may retain evidence of these activities. As well it provides a context for the role of the site in the wider community profile. Significance assessments are made on the basis of the identification of a specific site, an evaluation of the integrity of the resource contained within that site and an appreciation of its importance in the community profile.

A fundamental task of this investigation has been the implementation of research designed to describe the specific development of the built environment of this site sufficient to evaluate the likely archaeological resource which has resulted from this process. To this end research has been undertaken in the repositories ofMitchell Library, the State

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Archives Office of NSW, the Sydney Water Board Archives and those 'ofthe Royal Australian Historical Society.

2.4.3 Assessment

An assessment of the evidence likely to be contained within the site is made by defining the probable physical extent of each phase of occupation and making an evaluation of the impact of ongoing development on each preceding phase. Where possible reference is made to geo-technical information or comparative data from near-by archaeological sites. Physical intervention within the site is not used to arrive at this assessment. It is a predictive model for planning purposes.

2.4.4 Cultural Significance

The cultural significance of the site's relics are addressed through criteria defined in the Burra Charter and the NSW Department of Planning State Heritage Inventory. They include the nature and degree of cultural significance which refer to values such as archaeological, historical, social, architectural 'and scientific as well as the degree of rarity or the representativeness of the relic.

2.4.5 Management Options

Management of archaeological resources has several options available ranging from a "do-nothing" scenario to complete archaeological investigation prior to development. The selection of the appropriate strategy depends primarily on the evaluation of cultural significance. Essentially this refers to the manner in which an archaeological resource may best contribute, if at all, to questions of historical, social, technical and other areas of concern and interest. The strategy resolved to be the most appropriate to the resource must be commensurate in its degree and intensity of archaeological involvement to the degree of significance determined for the resource.

2.4.6 Documentation

This report is intended to act as a resource document in its own right. It may also be used to support an application for an Excavation Permit from the Heritage Council of NSW if that action is considered a necessary outcome of this assessment.

2.5 Authorship and Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared by Wendy Thorp. The author would like to thank Mr Christo Aitken (Jacks on Teece Chesterman and Willis) and Mr John South (Sydney City Mission) for their advice and assistance. Mr AlIen Burnett of Sydney City Council provided access and help with Council records.

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SECTION 3.0 HISTORIC CONTEXT

The study area generally is a product of development of the second half of the nineteenth century although it was alienated much earlier as part of a private grant. The following narrative has been presented as one of several phases that represent the principal periods of alienation and evolution. These phases are:

Phase I: 1788 - 1854, Alienation, "Surry Hills Farm" and "Fosterville"

Phase IT: 1854 - 1929, Domestic and Commercial Life

Phase ITl: 1929 - 1995, Clearance, Warehouses and Other

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3.1 Phase I: 1788 - 1854

Alienation, "Surry Hills Farm" and "Fosterville"

The area known as Surry Hills originally was not considered to be part of the town of Sydney but was thought of as rural land to be granted for farming. The first land grants in the area for this purpose were made in the 1790s. Principally Surry Hills was divided between three grants being those of "Surry Hills Farm", "George Farm" and "Donaldson's Farm". The study area was located in the extreme north-western portion of Suny Hills Farm, the grant of 105 acres made to Captain Joseph Foveaux in 1793. Foveaux had his land partially cleared and cropped but there is no evidence that the study area contained any significant element of this early farm (1).

The first subdivision in the area occurred in 1814. During the 1820s and 1830s the early attempts were made at street alignment. Private owners, until then, had created roads relevant only to their own holdings. By this time the study area was encompassed in a large private land grant carved from the original Foveaux farm. This property was owned by John Samuel Smith and was known as "Fosterville" (2).

There is, again, no evidence to suggest that any significant component of the estate was encompassed within the study area. However, it is clear from later evidence that portions of "Fosterville" had been leased out to a variety of tenants. At least three parcels are likely to have been used for this purpose on the study area. These oddly shaped blocks which fronted Hunt (or at that time Little Foster) Street are shown on an 1854 plan of the city (3).

By the 1830s Surry Hills had become a more desirable residential location due to the growth of population, proximity of the suburb to the city and the end to free grants which made that land available to develop. The suburb's location made it particularly ideal for a growing artisan population.

An attempt was made in 1843 to sell the Fosterville Estate. It was doomed to failure. It was made in the middle of the most severe economic recession faced by the colony.

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3.2 Phase IT: 1854 - 1929

Domestic and Commercial Life

After the worst impact of the 1840s depression had receded, a commercial and building boom during the 1850s encouraged the further general subdivision of the area. From the 1850s onwards the previously intact estates of Surry Hills progressively came to be divided to take advantage of the buoyant economy. This closer settlement of Surry Hills finally came to include the "Fosterville" estate. It was subdivided in 1854. The Sydney Morning Herald reported of Surry Hills at this time that houses were "springing up by hundreds and thousands" (1).

The subdivision of the Fosterville Estate took the form of twelve separate sections or blocks. The study area was nominated as Section 7 and it was further subdivided into lots with a small lane in the centre providing access from Hunt Street to Campbell Street. The lots were bought by six separate buyers, some single and a number in double lots. The small triangular portion at the intersection of Campbell and Hunt Streets was not sold (2).

As the later years of the nineteenth century passed in Surry Hills it evolved from an open area enj oying a reputation for good health and scenery into one of Sydney's most famed spots for poor and sub-standard housing and rookeries of crime. By 1890 the area was a fully integrated part of the city but with a reputation of its own. It was peopled by lower middle class tradesmen and working class labourers. It was the most densely populated area of Sydney.

The development of the study area reflects this overall pattern of suburban development. By 1858 at least a portion of the block had been built up by its new owners. The earlier leasehold premises on Hunt Street appear to have been demolished and this portion remained vacant as did the Macquarie (later Commonwealth) Street lots. However, along Campbell Street, a variety of tenants including a schoolmaster and bank clerk were housed in terraces. Some portions still remained vacant (3). This remained the case into the 1860s although by the middle years of this decade the Campbell Street frontage was much more densely occupied by tradesmen and their families (4).

By 1870 most of the Macquarie Street frontage had been developed for housing also occupied principally by tradesmen. Hunt Street, at this time, had one occupant (5). It also seems likely that some of the earlier housing along Campbell Street had been demolished by this time and was in the process of being replaced by more modem premises. These were still utilised for residential purposes. A similar picture, although one of closer and more intensive occupation is apparent by the end of the century (6).

The later nineteenth century full block development is best seen on a city survey produced in 1895. This plan shows the Macquarie Street frontage completely occupied by eight terraces of varying sizes all with out-buildings. The block at the corner of Hunt and Macquarie Streets contained a large, single free-standing building, probably a house. Campbell Street was occupied principally by several terraces and their out-buildings. The two corner blocks at the intersection of Campbell and Hunt Streets contained three, large

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free-standing buildings (probably domestic) and a number of sheds. Hunt Street was partially vacant although it did contain a row of four terraces in the middle of the street frontage (7).

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3.3 Phase Ill: 1929 - 1995

Clearance, Warehouses and Others

The first decade of the twentieth century heralded significant changes in Surry Hills. A combination of factors including concern about the outbreak of plague led to some resumptions and demolition. By World War I most of the northern portion of Surry Hills had been cleared including the area around Campbell Street. The study area, however, remained intact and was still a residential block now containing some lodging houses.

Much of the area did not immediately sell after its resumption and demolition and between 1900 and 1930 the City Council actively encouraged the development of factory and warehouse sites rather than housing. This policy was largely due to an evaluation of the residential conditions then existing in the area and an appreciation of the value of the land in relation to the city centre.

After WWI much effort had been expended by Council in identifying the worst slum areas of Sydney. Nine such areas were said to exist in Surry Hills. The City Surveyor warned that the area between Commonwealth, Goulburn, Campbell and Riley Streets (including the study area) was the worst in the city. The area north of Campbell Street was said to be congested, crime ridden and devoid of access (1). The City Surveyor went on to state that this area was too valuable to be retained as a residential area.

The new development of the study area in the early decades of the twentieth century reflects this shift in planning. The first significant change to the nineteenth century configuration occurred in 1910. In that year the Chinese Presbyterian Church was opened in a building on the Campbell Street frontage (replacing older building stock) that utilised a facade brought from the first church on Foster Street and salvaged materials (2). In 1929 the Catholic Press Newspaper Company opened in a newly constructed factory/warehouse on the corner of Commonwealth and Campbell Streets (3).

By 1931 the study area was occupied by the factory of JA.Campbell and Co at the intersection of Commonwealth and Hunt Street, the Catholic Press Newspaper Company and the Chinese Presbyterian Church. The land at the intersection of Campbell and Hunt Streets was vacant. This was the building stock that existed (and remains) on the study area at the time that Sydney City Mission purchased its property in 1976 after having operated in the area since the later years of the nineteenth century in a variety of premises including, in the 1890s, St Michaels parish hall in Fitzroy Street and, in 1904, Nithsdale House in Liverpool Street.

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SECTION 4.0 THE POTENTIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE AND ITS MANAGEMENT

4.1 Identifying the Potential Resource

It is clear from the primary documentation that, apart from a small number of early nineteenth century structures along Hunt Street, the principal occupation of the study area derived from development in the second half of the nineteenth century. This took the form of residential buildings, mostly terraces with a few single and free-standing structures.

The impact of the development of these buildings is certain to have disturbed and probably destroyed any earlier nineteenth century evidence. Therefore it may be assumed that the principal archaeological evidence of the nineteenth century occupation of the study area could be described as working class and lower middle class residential sites.

These buildings were progressively removed and the sites redeveloped from 1910 and, particularly, from the 1920s onwards. In particular, the building now occupied by Sydney City Mission and the other warehouse/factory structures on this block are likely to have had a substantial impact on the sub-surface evidence of nineteenth century residential life. All of these buildings have basements or part basement areas that, in their construction, are likely to have either completely removed or disturbed any evidence left after the demolition process. Even the building erected by the Chinese Presbyterian Church is shown to have a pier construction which would have disturbed any pre-existing elements.

The only portion of the site not substantially disturbed by twentieth century redevelopment is the small triangular block at the intersection of Campbell and Hunt Streets. This housed a small portion of a large-free standing building which appears to have been demolished at about the same time as the majority of the buildings on this block.

It may be assumed from this pattern and style of demolition and rebuilding that the majority of the remnant archaeological evidence that may have survived the demolition programmes of the early twentieth century would have either been removed or even more disturbed by the construction programmes associated with the basements and foundations for the principal structures that now occupy the block. The one exception to this will be the small portion of vacant ground at the intersection of Hunt and Campbell Streets. This, along with any intact remnants that might survive between basements and foundations, will relate to later nin~teenth century working class housing and its associated services and refuse. All the potenti~l archaeological resource is likely to be highly disturbed.

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4.2 Physical Evidence

No physical investigation was entered into as part of this assessment and there has been no prior archaeological investigation of either this or any adj acent site. The only physical evidence that is available to either confirm or question this assessment is the results of several cores that were taken for geo-technical purposes.

All cores were taken from the pavement area except one from the vacant corner portion of land. All cores recorded approximately half a metre of land fill with some crushed brick. Although it is impossible to use these results for an accurate assessment of the entire site it seems likely that they indicate a process of either the remnant building materials from the demolition or introduced fill being spread across it to level it for the new buildings. In either or both instances it provides some confirmation for the extent of disturbance caused by the demolition and construction programmes of the early twentieth century (1).

4.3 Significance of the Potential Resource

The profile of the potential resource, that of later nineteenth century working class housing, accords with several other sites where investigations have been undertaken to more accurately document social conditions. This resource could have provided a useful comparative site from another portion of the city which, to date, has not been investigated to any significant extent. However, the degree of disturbance of any potential resource indicates that the value of any evidence recovered from the site would be minimal. It would be too fragmentary to add any significant and substantial new or complimentary evidence to the existing data base.

The archaeological significance of this site is assessed to be low.

4.4 Impact of the Development and Management of the Resource

The proposed redevelopment of the study area entails complete disturbance of the sub-profile. The only exception to this is at the vacant corner block where the existing level will be built up.

The likely condition of the remnant archaeological material is such that prior archaeological investigation is unwarranted. Furthermore, it is also determined that monitoring of the excavation will achieve little because of the fragmentary nature of the resource. It may be concluded, therefore, that no further archeological action is required for this site.

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The client and managers of the site should be aware, however, that the provisions of the Heritage Act still apply to the site. In the event of any significant and substantial archaeological evidence or relics being located in the course of the future redevelopment of the site they have a responsibility to inform the Heritage Council of NSW. Officers from the Heritage Branch will advise on the most appropriate means of management.

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SECTION 5.0 SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTATION

5.1 Abbreviations Used in the Text

ML Mitchell Library

5.2 Endnotes

Section 3.1

1. C. Keating, Surry Hills; 15-17.

2. Ibid., 18-19.

3. Woollcott and Clarke, Map of the City of Sydney 1854.

Section 3.2

1. Quoted in C. Keating, Surry Hills, 31.

2. J. Armstrong, Plan of"Fosterville" 1843; lv1LM3811. 181911184312.

3. Sands and Kenny, City and Suburban Street Directory 1858.

4. Ibid., 1863.

5. Ibid., 1870.

6. Ibid., 1899.

7. Lands Department NSW. City Detail Series 1895, Section G 1.

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Section 3.3

1. C. Keating, Surry Hills; 79

2. Wendy Lu Mar, A Cloud of Witnesses; 8-9.

3. Sydney City Council Rate Records.

Section 4.1

1. J effery and Katauskas Pty Ltd, Geo-Technical Investigation.

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5.3 Bibliography

5.3.1 Books and Reports

Rosemary Annable Historical Notes Surry Hills - South Sydney Heritage Study Tropman and Tropman. 1994.

Jeffery and Katauskas Pty Ltd Report to Lowe and Hooke (Aust) Pty Ltd on Geo-TechnicalInvestigationfor Proposed Sydney City Mission Hostel. 1994.

Christopher Keating Surry Hills The City's Backyard Hale and Iremonger. 1991.

Max Kelly and Ruth Croker Sydney Takes Shape Doak Press. 1978.

Wendy Lu Mar So Great A Cloud of Witnesses A History of the Chinese Presbyterian Church Chinese Presbyterian Church. 1993.

5.3.2 Directories, Statistics etc

Sands and Kenny City and Suburban Street Directory 1858 -1932

Sydney City Council Rate Records Campbell, Hunt and Commonwealth Streets.

Sydney City Mission Land Title Information (Supplied SCM)

5.3.3 Graphics

J. Armstrong Fosterville (Evolvedfrom Lease Map of 1843) ML M3 811. 1819111843/2

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Lands Department NSW Sydney Metropolitan Detail Series 1895. Section G1. ML M Ser4 811.17/1

Presbyterian Church Campbell Street Sydney ND (c. 1910) Sydney Council Archives

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