Christchurch: A Chronology to 1989

A timeline of some Christchurch events in chronological order from 1700s to 1989.

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

October 1, 1857: First Christchurch Town Hall opens. This privately owned hall was built on a site in High Street which was later occupied by Stranges Department Store and then by Butterfields.
October 1, 1870: Opening of Canterbury Museum building, designed by B.W. Mountfort.; New Zealand's first telephone exchange begins operation in the Chief Post Office, Cathedral Square.
October 1, 1948: City Council takes over Canterbury Public Library from University.
October 1, 1953: Over 3000 hectares of Waimairi (showgrounds area), Heathcote (Bromley area) and Estuary included in City.
October 2, 1916: Opawa joins City.
October 3, 1983: Rugby player Robbie Deans becomes highest scorer of points in 79 year history of the Ranfurly Shield with 187 points from thirteen games.
October 3, 1988: Park Royal Hotel opens in Victoria Square.
October 5, 1899: First Boer War contingent leaves Lyttelton.
October 5, 1982: Paraplegic archer Neroli Fairhall (in competition with able-bodied athletes) wins gold medal at Brisbane Commonwealth Games.
October 5, 1984: Greg Mortimer of Christchurch conquers Mt Everest without oxygen.
October 7, 1864: Opening of a 12 night season of Lyster’s Royal Italian and English Opera Company. The opera was “Lucia di Lammermoor".