John Lithgow was born in Wanganui and educated at the Wanganui Collegiate. He worked in stock firms for three years and farmed in New Zealand and Australia before attending Lincoln Agricultural College, where he completed a diploma in agriculture....
Creator: National Publicity Studios, Wellington
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1976
This engineering display was to show Engineering Officers and Senior Officers the capabilities of equipment used by the New Zealand Army. The building of an infantry assault bridge, across the lake at Linton Camp, was part of the display.
Creator: Manawatu Guardian
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1975
A war memorial to commemorate local soldiers who died in World War One was erected in the centre of The Square, Palmerston North, in 1926. The figure that sits atop the memorial was based on a similar one in Folkstone, England. Today it also comme...
Creator: Crown Studios
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: February 7, 1926
The presents were packed at the offices of the Manawatu Racing Club, alongside the premises of Reid & Grey Ltd, to be distributed by a number of Father Christmases with the help of local citizens. This was to mark the first Christmas after the end...
Creator: Whalley and Co., Crown Studios,
Place: Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North
Date: December 25, 1918
Looking down Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North, from the corner of The Square and Broadway, showing Christmas decorations strung across the street. The photograph features the three buildings that comprised Collinson and Cunninghame Ltd, establish...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North
Date: 1971
The Victoria Esplanade gardens were opened in 1897. The phoenix palms were first planted along Victoria Drive in the late 1930s, although many of them have since been replaced.
Creator: Massey University
Place: Palm Drive, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North
Date: circa 2000
Niels and Ragnhild Hansen's newly built house at Whakarongo, situated nearly opposite James Line with the bush line beyond. Niels, an immigrant from Denmark, met and married Ragnihild Gudmudsen in Palmerston North in 1884. They moved to this house...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1895
These flats were designed by Reginald Thorrold Jaggard, a local architect, for Mrs M S Curle in 1938. The flats, on the corner of Rangitikei Street and Wellesbourne Street, stand beside Palmerston North Boys' High School. Plans are held in Ian Mat...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1939
In 1952 Palmerston North celebrated 75 years since being proclaimed a Borough. Heading the procession down Cuba Street are four marching drum “Majorettes”. Directly behind them is the Scottish Society Pipe Band, followed in turn by a group of marc...
Creator: Bruce Watt
Place: Cuba Street, Palmerston North
Date: March 1952
The cenotaph, constructed 1926, was unveiled by the Prime Minister of the day Mr J F Coates. The memorial, a copy of one found in Folkstone, England, was for the men who died in the First World War, (WWI) and as such faced north-west towards the b...
Creator: Unknown
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: February 7, 1926
A war memorial to commemorate local soldiers who died in World War One was erected in the centre of The Square, Palmerston North, in 1926. The figure that sits atop the memorial was based on a similar one in Folkstone, England. Today it also comme...
Creator: Unknown
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: February 7, 1926
A war memorial to commemorate local soldiers who died in World War One was erected in the centre of The Square, Palmerston North, in 1926. The figure that sits atop the memorial was based on a similar one in Folkstone, England. Today it also comme...
Creator: Unknown
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: February 7, 1926
The float, created by the Palmerston North City Council, is pictured in Cuba Street. A procession of nearly 100 floats took place as one of the highlights of the celebrations of 75 years since the establishment of the Borough of Palmerton North.
Creator: Bruce Watt
Place: Cuba Street, Palmerston North
Date: March 15, 1952
There was a week of events to celebrate Palmerston North being granted Borough status in 1877. Celebrations began on Saturday and included a display of floats. Shown here is Garners department store float in Cuba Street.
Creator: Bruce Watt
Place: Palmerston North
Date: March 15, 1952
The Manfeild Motor Circuit was built by the Manawatu Car Club Inc. in 1973. It was 3.033km long, with pit and garage areas, and hospitality and toilet facilities for the public. In 1990 the track was extended to international standards. In October...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Manawatu
Date: 1970s
These American roller dance champions were in Palmerston North to give a performance at the Waldegrave Skating Rink. They toured the country for two weeks giving performances and seminars.
Creator: Manawatu Evening Standard
Place: Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North
Date: 1982
The display window features summer fashions in a beach setting, entitled 'Season in the Sun'. An existng business was reorganised into the PDC in 1915 when bought by James Wallace, and a new 3 storey building was constructed in 1929. The business ...
Creator: Elmar Studios, 459 Main Street, Palmerston North
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: December 1959
He hui mō te whakamaumaharatanga o te taenga mai o ngā tauiwi i te tau 1871. I tū te hui i muri i te whakaritenga karakia ki YMCA Stadium. Ko Meihana Durie ko te kaumātua o te iwi Rangitāne me Ngāti Kauwhata. Ko ia hoki e whaikōrero ana. I noh...
Creator: John Cleland Photo Studio Ltd
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1971
The Square was extensively remodelled for the 1971 centennial celebrations. Additions included a raised flower bed at the Fitzherbert Avenue end and the construction of the Centennial Pavilion.
This photograph was one of four scenes of Palmersto...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1971
A dinner was held in the Produce Hall at the Showgrounds, Palmerston North to celebrate the return of Slesvig to Denmark, followed by entertainment and games for the children, and a concert in the evening. Over 400 Danish settlers and their descen...
Creator: Anderson's Studio
Place: The Showgrounds. Palmerston North
Date: April 14, 1920
Looking down Main Street West, Church Street West is on the far left, with All Saints Church on on side and the Grand Hotel on the other corner. The Coles building is on the corner of Main Street West and the Square. Built in 1903, it was pulled d...
Creator: Unknown
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: July 27, 1939
The official opening by Mr Moohan, Minister of Railways, at the Longburn end of the deviation, just outside Palmerston North. To his right is Mr W B Tennent, Mayor, and Mr W Nash, Prime Minister.
Creator: Manawatu Evening Standard
Place: Longburn, Palmerston North
Date: 1959
This postcard has the message, "Will you send me a box of violets for Miss Fraser for the party if it is not too much trouble. Meta". It was addressed to Mrs HY Lethbridge, Ruatuangata, Wangeahu, Wanganui and postmarkes 4 J1 1904. To the left of t...
Creator: Crown Studios
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1904
The Seafarers-Mandarin Restaurant was located at 217 – 223 Cuba Street in Palmerston North. In September 1981, Wai Holdings, owner of the restaurant, sold it to Arnold and Jenny Jarden. Currently this site is being renovated to become Focal Point,...
Creator: Manawatu Evening Standard
Place: 217-223 Cuba Street,Palmerston North
Date: September 26, 1981
This building was Palmerston North’s fourth Post Office, operating from 1906-1988. It was extended towards Broadway and up Main Street in the early 1920s and in 1937. This image must come from 1905, before the clock face had been installed. The cl...
Creator: Muir and Moodie
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1905
The foyer of the Palmerston North Library showing the garden, mosaics and stairs ascending to the first floor. This building operated as the public library in Palmerston North from 1965-1996.
Creator: Colin Rush
Place: Corner Main Street and The Square, Palmerston North
Date: 1970s
Mrs Laila Ann Morpeth (nee Maynard) was the Children’s Librarian at the Palmerston North Public Library. She qualified for her new Zealand Library Association (NZLA) certificate in 1963 and her ANZLA certificate in 1973. She began working at the P...
Creator: Manawatu Evening Standard
Place: Main Street, Palmerston North
Date: July 26, 1974
This building was the fifth to house the Palmerston North Municipal Library, and the second to be built specifically as a library. The City Council approved the plans for the multi-purpose project in July 1963 and building was completed November 1...
Creator: Unknown
Place: The Square, Palmerston North
Date: circa 1964
Looking north over the city from the top of the old Public Library building on Main Street. In the distance at right can be see the multi storey Palmerston North Hospital. St Patrick's Cathedral spire is the other notable landmark. The building on...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Corner Main Street and the Square, Palmerston North
Date: circa 1980
Nine year old Robbie Grith was one of 30 children who made a dragon after the story, 'The boy and the Taniwaha' was read to them as part of a holiday programme at the Palmerston North Public Library.
Creator: Manawatu Evening Standard
Place: Main Street, Palmerston North
Date: May 14, 1982