History & Culture
Lost photos of Brisbane 120 years ago
Photos found a Brisbane house showing the city at the turn of last century show a rare glimpse into the past. The 100-year-old images were discovered in the suburb of Red Hill. Amateur photographer Alfred Elliott had keenly documented changes in the city over 50 years, from the time he acquired his first camera in 1890. Elliot’s photos include historic events such as royal visits and troops going off to the Boer War in South Africa. Hundreds of glass plates and film negatives were found when the Brisbane Council purchased the house in the early 1980s, where they were stored in cigar boxes. The photos are on display as part of ‘The View From Here‘ exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane, 13 February – 30 August 2015.