Russell Street, Melbourne
Russell Street | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Former Russell Street Police Headquarters | |
 | |
  Russell Street | |
| Coordinates | |
| General information | |
| Type | Street |
| Opened | 1837 |
| Major junctions | |
| North end | Victoria Street |
| La Trobe Street Lonsdale Street Nicholson Street Bourke Street Collins Street | |
| South end | Flinders Street |
| Location(s) | |
| Suburb(s) | Melbourne CBD |
Russell Street is a main street and thoroughfare in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs roughly north-south and was laid out as a core feature of the Hoddle Grid in 1837.[1]
Russell Street is named after John Russell, British Home Secretary and leader of the House of Commons in Lord Melbourne's cabinet. Russell himself was also a future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.[2][3]
Geography
Russell Street runs roughly north-south and is located one block east of the city's central thoroughfare of Swanston Street.
At its southern end, the street intersects with Flinders Street and Federation Square, while at its northern end it becomes Lygon Street, the main street of Melbourne's Little Italy.
Notable buildings
Russell Street is lined with established trees and is the home of numerous public amenities and buildings. Noteworthy structures include:
The street is also home to many buildings featured on the Victorian Heritage Register or classified by the National Trust of Australia, including:
- Old Melbourne Gaol (1845)
- Duke of Wellington Hotel (1850)
- State Library of Victoria (1854)
- Scots' Church (1874)
- Eight Hour Day Monument, commemorating Melbourne's labor movement to adopt the 8 hour working day (1903)[4]
- City Watch House (1909)
- Former Melbourne Magistrates' Court (1914)
- Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy (1927)
- Former Russell Street Police Headquarters (1943)
- Former Russell Street Telephone Exchange & Post Office (1954)
- Total House (1965)
- Several Underground Public conveniences
Russell Street Bombing
On 27 March 1986, a car bomb was detonated on Russell Street near the Police Headquarters. Constable Angela Taylor died and 21 others were injured in what was described as a ‘revenge attack' on Melbourne police, perpetrated by Stanley Taylor and Craig Minogue.[5]
Transport
Russell street is partly serviced by Melbourne Bus routes 200 and 207.
Whilst the street does not have tram lines or train stations located on it, it is easily reached by public transport via Parliament railway station, Flinders Street railway station and Melbourne Central railway station. It also intersects with several streets which are serviced by Melbourne tramlines, including Victoria Street, La Trobe Street, Bourke Street, Collins Street and Flinders Street.
See also
References
- ^ "Melbourne city grid | Ergo". ergo.slv.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Street Names - Entry - eMelbourne - The Encyclopedia of Melbourne Online". Encyclopedia of Melbourne. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- ^ "Subscribe to the Herald Sun". www.heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ Design, UBC Web. "Eight Hour Day Monument | Monument Australia". monumentaustralia.org.au. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Russell Street Bombing | Ergo". ergo.slv.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 28 January 2017.