DP Photo Challenge: against the odds

What are the chances, eh? Twenty-first century Aucklanders present at the official opening of Cornwall Park in 1903. Image: Su Leslie, 2015.

While actual time-travel remains in the realm of science fiction, photography and film do give visual glimpses into the past. The black and white photo above (1) is of the official opening of Auckland’s Cornwall Park in 1903. The white-haired man on the balcony is Sir John Logan Campbell, one of Auckland’s wealthiest and most prominent early citizens. In 1901 he had gifted the park –comprising 230 acres of his estate — to the city.

Cornwall Park is still one of the largest and most popular parks in Auckland. It includes the volcano Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), the summit of which is the resting place of Logan Campbell, who died in 1912 aged 94.

Daily Post Photo Challenge | against the odds

 

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(1) Photo of Cornwall Park opening, 1903. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A253.