Falls Bridge, Yarra River C. 1860 -1890
Falls Bridge, was before today's Queens Bridge, was built in 1860 crossing over the Yarra River where a naturally formed rocky ledge stood. It was this ledge, when at low tide separated the freshwater from the brackish saltwater. The combination of saltwater access and freshwater supply at this junction, and with higher land on the north side, determined the site for Melbourne's foundation and early settlement.
In 1839, an attempt was made to raise the height of the saltwater barrier by applying stone, mud and mortar but the result didn't last long. Repeated attempts had similar results until men without work in the 1840s depression put in a stone wall that was able to last.
The first image of the Falls Bridge was taken from the north side of the Yarra River. It was an all wooden structure set on red gum piles and formed the continuation of Market Street, crossing the river to what became Queens Bridge Street on the southern side.
The bridge was built by Huckson and Company for the sum of £3518 5s and served the rapidly growing community of Melbourne for just over 20 years:
In the early 1880s, a decision was made to replace the bridge and remove the stone wall barrier. Up to this time it was an enormously active business thoroughfare, and the traffic was becoming so heavy that there were continual blocks at the southern approach by the tortuous and often boggy road to Emerald Hill (South Melbourne). Also there were plans to widen the river and the introduction cable trams through this area.
A contract for the demolition of the bridge and the construction of a temporary bridge on its eastern side beside the rail bridge was given to a Mr. T. D. M'Larty for the sum of £3385.
The Falls Bridge was removed in July of 1883, and with the removal of the stone wall barrier and all traces of the original rocky 'Falls' the way was clear for the construction of the new steel structure we see today.
After a delay in finalising plans for the new Falls Bridge (renamed Queens Bridge) construction of the new bridge commenced in 1888. The chief contractor for its construction was David Munro, who
also erected the nearby Princes Bridge, and the Sandridge Railway Bridge, both completed in 1888. Queens Bridge was officially opened by the Governor, Lord Hopetoun, on the 18th April 1890.