Intersection of Swanston Street and Bourke Street, C.1900
The photographer has set up his tripod in Swanston Street, looking south over Bourke toward Flinders Street - right in the path of an oncoming horse and wagon.
At the time of this photo, the Leviathan Store on the south western corner had already been operating for 35 years. They opened here in 1865 when Melbourne was just 30 years old. In 1913 (13 years after this photo) they built the store which exists today.
The Melbourne Town Hall can be seen on the left and a Carlton-bound Cable Tram is about to pass through the intersection. Note the tracks set with wooden blocks.