{"id":60094,"date":"2025-08-11T13:41:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T13:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/60094\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T13:41:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T13:41:18","slug":"perth-then-and-now-state-library-of-wa-images-show-how-getting-out-and-about-has-changed-in-our-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/60094\/","title":{"rendered":"Perth then and now: State Library of WA images show how getting out and about has changed in our city"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perth is changing at a rapid pace, and whether it\u2019s new attractions around the river or stadiums in our suburbs, hitting the streets of our city has never been more exciting.<\/p>\n

But, if you like to take a look at Perth in days gone by, you\u2019ll understand just how far we\u2019ve come.<\/p>\n

The State Library of WA\u2019s archives have unearthed some incredible snapshots of daily life, showing where the people of Perth would head out for a drink, go to hear the latest music or go shopping when Claremont Quarter was not available.<\/p>\n

Community awareness coordinator of the State Library of WA Nico McLaughlan said the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe State Library is always looking for ways to share the stories within our collections,\u201d McLaughlan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe share these photographs … with the hope to inspire members of the public to discover more about Western Australia through our collections.\u201d<\/p>\n

Take a look at the streets and attractions of Perth from as far back as the \u201870s!<\/p>\n

Murray Street in 1984\"MurrayCamera IconMurray Street in 1984 Credit: Richard Woldendorp\/State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

Gone are the days when you could drive down the full length of Murray Street in your car.<\/p>\n

This throwback from 1984 reveals some old buildings that have been demolished and businesses rehomed – Coles and the bank found new homes and the Piccadilly Theatre stopped playing movies in 2013.<\/p>\n

Chateau Commodore Hotel in 1972\"ChateauCamera IconChateau Commodore Hotel on Hay St in 1972. Credit: State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

Legend has it that this Perth watering hole and accommodation venue was once the site of a disagreement involving the venue\u2019s management and musician Joe Cocker and his entourage.<\/p>\n

Cocker was asked to leave the venue and subsequently threw a beer bottle at the manager.<\/p>\n

The police were called leading to the arrest of Cocker and some of his crew.<\/p>\n

Warwick Records in 1991\"WarwickCamera IconWarwick Records in Warwick Grove Shopping Centre, 1991. Credit: State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

Bright, neon lights in the \u201890s were a bit of hangover from the previous decade, but they made their mark on Perth shopping centres<\/a> throughout the end of millennium.<\/p>\n

Record stores might have taken a bit of a backseat of late, but a few decades ago they were the only way to listen to your favourite tunes.<\/p>\n

Hay Street Mall in the 1970s\"HayCamera IconHay Street Mall, Perth CBD in the 1970s. Credit: Dorothy Annie Lee\/State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

While the City of Perth might have updated their Christmas decorations (and fashions may have changed!) one thing is for certain, the CBD knows how to put on a bit of festive cheer.<\/p>\n

The Hay Street Mall in the 1970s was a hive of activity, and a lot of the buildings still stand today!<\/p>\n

The Inntown Hotel in 1988\"CheckingCamera IconChecking in to the Inntown Hotel in 1988 Credit: State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

Accommodation options may have changed in Perth during the last few decades, but who wouldn\u2019t want to check into the Inntown Hotel in 1988 on Pier Street?<\/p>\n

Amenities are a little bit more stylish these days, but good old fashioned, warm hospitality never goes out of style.<\/p>\n

Armadale Train Station in 1988\"TakingCamera IconTaking a bicycle onto a Transperth train in Armadale in 1988. Credit: Betty Smith\/State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

Originally built in 1893, the Armadale Train Station is one of Perth\u2019s oldest.<\/p>\n

Connecting the southern part of Perth to the CBD, it has a history of being upgraded and is currently closed as construction on the State Government\u2019s Metronet plan takes place.<\/p>\n

Carousel Shopping Centre in 2001\"CarouselCamera IconCarousel Shopping Centre, Cannington 2001. Credit: Robert Diggens\/State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

If you were a kid in the late \u201890s or early 2000s in Perth, Carousel would have been on your hit list of places to check out.<\/p>\n

With a fully renovated interior offering places to eat, shop and play games, it was a wonderland for the youth and the young at heart.<\/p>\n

Hannah Street in Kalgoorlie in 1985\"HannanCamera IconHannan Street in Kalgoorlie in 1985. Credit: State Library of WA Archives<\/p>\n

A bonus picture not quite in Perth, this picture shows you how much Hannah Street in Kalgoorlie has changed in forty years.<\/p>\n

The main street in the town was named after the famed prospector Paddy Hannah who has been credited with kicking off the gold rush in 1893 that the town has become known for.<\/p>\n

You can check out more of the State Library of Western Australia\u2019s collection on their Instagram here<\/a>.<\/p>\n