The old New Brighton Pier 1894-1965

Jun 7, 2021 | Places

The first pier {referred to on this website as the old New Brighton Pier} was built from timber. Construction began in 1891 and it was officially opened by the Governor of New Zealand, the Lord Glasgow, on 18 January 1894.[1] Other dignitaries who attended the opening included the Mayor of Christchurch (Walter Cooper), the Mayor of Linwood (J. R. Brunt), and two members of the House of Representatives (George John Smith and William Whitehouse Collins). It started raining just as the opening ceremony finished, and planned fireworks were postponed. The pier had been built to a length of 700 feet (210 m).[2][3] There were plans to build an octagonal end to the pier including a large building, but this was never carried out. Over time, the pier decayed. The city council ordered the pier to be demolished, and this was done during just four and a half hours in the early morning of 12 October 1965 on a receding tide.[1]

Thanks to Wikipedia for the information on the old New Brighton Pier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Brighton_Pier

Panoramic view of New Brighton foreshore and NB Pier, c 1900s?
Large photo of New Brighton Beach and the old New Brighton Pier, date unknown.
Large photo of New Brighton Pier – date unknown. These large photos came from McCormacks Pub before it was demolished.
Large photo of New Brighton Beach featuring the New Brighton Pier in the background c1910s?
Large photo of the entrance to the New Brighton Pier, unknown date.
Aerial photograph of the old New Brighton Pier, unknown date.
On New Brighton Beach (with the old New Brighton Pier in the background) c1910.
Back row: Edith Binns (with sisters-in-laws) Nellie Whitehead and Florence Livesey, and mother-in-law Ellen Whitehead.
Front row: Mabel Livesey, John & Philip Binns (sons of Edith).
Nellie and Ellen were visiting from the UK!
New Brighton Pier circa 1920s
The old New Brighton Pier, c1900 by EE Wright
The old New Brighton Pier supporting timber, prior to 1965.
Under the old New Brighton Pier, an original painting by Natalie Everett
New Brighton Pier, an original painting by Natalie Everett.
The old New Brighton Pier, age unknown. Artist unknown.
The old New Brighton Pier early 1960s off a biscuit tin at the NB Museum!