Heritage

Christchurch: a chronology

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

Go to a year between 1700 & 1989

Begin at the beginning Start here

This week in history

February 17, 1908
30-metre whale stranded at Okarito. The skeleton is now on display at the Canterbury Museum.
February 17, 1939
New Millers Department Store building (now the Civic Offices) opens. Designed by G. A. J. Hart, the building contained the South Island’s first escalator.
February 18, 1982
Internationally famous writer Dame Ngaio Marsh dies at her home in Cashmere.
February 19, 1873
Anglican synod decides (by a narrow margin) not to sell the present site of Christchurch Cathedral.
February 20, 1903
Singer Madam (later Dame) Nellie Melba gives concert.
February 20, 1979
8.5 metre totara log removed from the Avon near the Barbadoes Street bridge. A remnant of the pre-Polynesian forests, it had been buried beneath the river for centuries.
February 21, 1853
Inwoods flour mill in operation in Straven Road.
February 21, 1910
Visit by Lord Kitchener.
February 21, 1949
City coat of arms granted armorial bearings.
February 21, 1972
Adelaide (Australia) becomes Christchurch’s first sister city.
February 21, 1983
Friendship link with Gansu Province (China) established under sister city programme.
February 21, 1987
Plans for 152 metre high observation/tourist tower revealed by Christchurch businessman Jamie Tulloch.
February 22, 1893
Linwood Borough formed.
February 22, 1909
New "Press" building in operation in Cathedral Square. Designed by J.J. Collins and R.D. Harman, it was the city’s first ferro-concrete building.
February 22, 1960
New airport terminal (designed by Paul Pascoe) opens.
February 22, 1965
Opening of first Pan-Pacific Arts Festival. Artists include singer Inia Te Wiata (in "Porgy and Bess") and conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent.
February 23, 1877
Lillywhite’s ”All England“ cricket team visits.
February 23, 1916
Red Cross Society (N.Z. Branch) and the Central Council of the Order of St John hold their first meeting in Christchurch.

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