Kings cross louis nowra
Kings Cross: A biography
November 13, 2013
‘I was on a bus visiting Kings Cross for the first time when a woman pulled a knife on me.’
Louis Nowra has written a lively biography of Kings Cross in Sydney, where (despite the knife incident) he has lived since 1997. A biography, of a place? Well, yes. Kings Cross is both a constantly changing physical space and a state of mind – with an interesting history. Officially, there is no such place as Kings Cross. Originally Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay and parts of Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo became known as Queens (later Kings) Cross because seven congested streets met where the iconic Coca-Cola sign now stands.
‘In other words, the x at one time or another can represent anything you want it to be.’
Until the early 1800s, Kings Cross (known as Woolloomooloo Hill) was a blustery ridge just east of Sydney and was home to windmills rather than people. In the early 1800s, land grants lead to grand estates (such as Elizabeth Bay House built between 1835 and 1839 for Alexander Macleay). One hundred years later, many of these grand estates were sold off and subdivided. Mansions left standing were partitioned into low-cost accommodation. By the 1920s, Kings Cross was the most densely populated area in Australia.
‘Cities need places like Kings Cross – it exists and has existed for decades, as a necessary relief valve for society.’
Louis Nowra takes the reader through Kings Cross, street by street, through the history and the geography, the buildings and characters that have shaped Kings Cross. Scattered throughout the narrative are reminders of Kings Cross’s individuality: the blackouts declared during World War II during which the residents rushed out into the street where a spotter plane pilot compared the sight of thousands of lit cigarettes to ‘a birthday cake with all its candles alight’, and neon lights visible at 5000 feet.
Sex and sin feature in any account of Kings Cross, as well as characters including Bea Miles, Rosaleen Norton, Abe ‘Mr Sin’ Saffron and Renee Rivkin. Perhaps my favourite character of the book was ‘Kings Cross Bob’, the fox terrier who lived at the corner of Darlinghurst and Bayswater Roads for twelve years after his master died. He vanished in 1939, apparently taking up residence in Cygnet, Tasmania with one of his fans, a Mr F. Thompson.
Visiting Kings Cross at least once is a rite of passage for many Australians. I remember staying at the Canberra-Oriental Hotel in 1970 as part of a school visit and being more than a little overwhelmed by the frenetic activity of the Cross. Fifteen years later, I stayed there again, dodging bodies sleeping (I hope) in doorways as I made my way into the city for work.
I enjoyed reading this biography, using the maps provided to imagine accompanying Louis Nowra on his walks around Kings Cross. Kings Cross continues to evolve: what will the streetscape look like in 2113?
‘The rest of Australia has caught up and Kings Cross is no longer needed as it once was.’
Surely not.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Louis Nowra has written a lively biography of Kings Cross in Sydney, where (despite the knife incident) he has lived since 1997. A biography, of a place? Well, yes. Kings Cross is both a constantly changing physical space and a state of mind – with an interesting history. Officially, there is no such place as Kings Cross. Originally Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay and parts of Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo became known as Queens (later Kings) Cross because seven congested streets met where the iconic Coca-Cola sign now stands.
‘In other words, the x at one time or another can represent anything you want it to be.’
Until the early 1800s, Kings Cross (known as Woolloomooloo Hill) was a blustery ridge just east of Sydney and was home to windmills rather than people. In the early 1800s, land grants lead to grand estates (such as Elizabeth Bay House built between 1835 and 1839 for Alexander Macleay). One hundred years later, many of these grand estates were sold off and subdivided. Mansions left standing were partitioned into low-cost accommodation. By the 1920s, Kings Cross was the most densely populated area in Australia.
‘Cities need places like Kings Cross – it exists and has existed for decades, as a necessary relief valve for society.’
Louis Nowra takes the reader through Kings Cross, street by street, through the history and the geography, the buildings and characters that have shaped Kings Cross. Scattered throughout the narrative are reminders of Kings Cross’s individuality: the blackouts declared during World War II during which the residents rushed out into the street where a spotter plane pilot compared the sight of thousands of lit cigarettes to ‘a birthday cake with all its candles alight’, and neon lights visible at 5000 feet.
Sex and sin feature in any account of Kings Cross, as well as characters including Bea Miles, Rosaleen Norton, Abe ‘Mr Sin’ Saffron and Renee Rivkin. Perhaps my favourite character of the book was ‘Kings Cross Bob’, the fox terrier who lived at the corner of Darlinghurst and Bayswater Roads for twelve years after his master died. He vanished in 1939, apparently taking up residence in Cygnet, Tasmania with one of his fans, a Mr F. Thompson.
Visiting Kings Cross at least once is a rite of passage for many Australians. I remember staying at the Canberra-Oriental Hotel in 1970 as part of a school visit and being more than a little overwhelmed by the frenetic activity of the Cross. Fifteen years later, I stayed there again, dodging bodies sleeping (I hope) in doorways as I made my way into the city for work.
I enjoyed reading this biography, using the maps provided to imagine accompanying Louis Nowra on his walks around Kings Cross. Kings Cross continues to evolve: what will the streetscape look like in 2113?
‘The rest of Australia has caught up and Kings Cross is no longer needed as it once was.’
Surely not.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Louisa younger womans club Louisa Junior Woman's Club I pledge my loyalty to The Junior Clubwoman By doing better than ever before what work I have to do, By being prompt, honest, courteous, By living each day, trying to accomplish something, Not merely to exist.