Shirley, New Zealand
| Shirley | |
|---|---|
 Shirley
|
|
| Coordinates: 43°30′14″S 172°39′39″E / 43.503963°S 172.660879°ECoordinates: 43°30′14″S 172°39′39″E / 43.503963°S 172.660879°E | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.1454 km2 (1.2144 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 7,176 |
| • Density | 2,300/km2 (5,900/sq mi) |
Shirley, sometimes referred to as Windsor, is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north-east of the city centre.
[edit] Naming
Susannah Buxton (née Shirley) was married to John Buxton (1806–1886).[1] On her deathbed in 1868, she asked her son, Joseph Shirley Buxton (1833–1898), to gift land to the Methodists to build a church. Her wish was carried out and the Shirley Methodist Church was named after her. The suburb eventually became known as Shirley after the church.[2]
Subdivision started in the early 20th century, at which time the area was known as North Richmond.[2] The name then changed to Windsor, until it was discussed at a meeting at the Windsor Wesleyan School that land agents indicated land sold better if the locality is called Shirley instead of Windsor. Windsor thus went out of fashion as the name of the suburb, but it lives on in names like Windsor Golf Club, Windsor Service Station, Windsor House and Windsor School.[3]
[edit] Description and services
Most of the housing in Shirley was built between 1950 and 1980.[citation needed] It also has a shopping mall called The Palms Shopping Centre, the Shirley Golf Course and Bunnings Homebase. Shirley Boys' High School opened in September 1957.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "Buxton Family Tree". http://thebuxtonfamily.com/ghtout/gp75.html. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ a b Harper, Margaret (July 2011). "Christchurch Place Names" (PDF). Christchurch City Libraries. p. 187. http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/PlaceNames/ChristchurchPlaceNames.pdf. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ Reed, A. W. (2010). Peter Dowling. ed. Place Names of New Zealand. Rosedale, North Shore: Raupo. p. 365. ISBN 9780143204107.
- ^ [www.shirley.school.nz/home/about/ "About Us"]. Shirley Boys' High School. www.shirley.school.nz/home/about/. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
