https://d28dhd8eubcyz4.cloudfront.net/iiif/2/curtis-production2-cache%2F1%2Fa%2F8%2Fb9c30a-b729-4e15-b581-fee982837dd6%2Fresize_master_697e988abba36c617c2be84bdca429f3.jpg/full/!880,1024/0/default.jpg?sig=68abc64f7f7b1be3b1d2832e714dae58f41f4cd8&ver=1723856125Cuba Street, Name and History
- Description
Name: The origin is unknown. It is assumed to be named after Cuba Street in Wellington. The Wellington Street was named after the ship, "Cuba," which landed immigrants on Petone Beach in January 1840.
The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.
History: Cuba Street was one of the city's original streets. It first ended at Short Street (now known as Cook Street) and was extended out to Burns Avenue at a much later date.
For a comprehensive history of Cuba Street, take a look at this Back Issues article by Lesley Courtney.
In 1871, Palmerston’s first public cemetery was established on the site of the present Palmerston North Showgrounds. By 1875, a decision was made to move the cemetery to Napier Road, due to the Cuba Street site being too wet. The bodies were exhumed and reinterred at Terrace End Cemetery.
In 1886 the Borough Council determined that the old cemetery plot in Cuba Street would become a Showground. Established by the Manawatū and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it has hosted: A&P Shows, sports clubs and events, military troops, celebrations, relief and transit camps, parades and more. For a brief history, read Palmerston North Showgrounds History, by Leanne Croon Hickman.
In 1940, the 28th Māori Battalion trained at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. In 1964, Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall was opened at 138 Cuba Street, as a national memorial to the men of the 28th Māori Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. The hall became a Poppy Place in 2018.
In 1981, Cuba Street was the scene of barbed wire, police lines and protesters; when anti-Apartheid activists opposed the Springbok Tour. Take a look at this Back Issues article by Stephen Berg to find out more.
Renumbering: The addresses on Cuba Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.149 to p.153 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
Built Heritage Inventory:
- Bryant Building, 201-207 Cuba Street, 1905, 1911, 1915.
- Carlton Hotel, 169-199 Cuba Street, 1927.
- The Palmerston North Working Men's Club, 233 Cuba Street, 1928. The main entry was on Cuba Street with the lounge bar and some other spaces on Taonui Street.
- Returned Soldiers Club, 236 Cuba Street, 1917. The former Soldiers' Club became a Poppy Place in 2018.
- Mowlem Building, 268-270 Cuba Street, 1925.
- The Arcade, 256-258 Cuba Street, 1906.
- Ward Bros. Building, 213-215 Cuba Street, 1935.
Identification
- Object type
- Map
- Content type
- Map/Plan
- Date
- 1923
- Digitisation ID
- 2024M_IMCA-DigitalArchive_042458
- Format
- Born Digital