Alfred St in Terrace End is no cookie cutter of housing design. Photo / Judith Lacy
Alfred St in Terrace End is no cookie cutter of housing design. Photo / Judith Lacy
OPINION:
Dear Alfred, I'm in love with you.
Your name is a bit old-fashioned but you are charming, handsome and fascinating.
You have it all - strong bones, mystery, an air of confidence, a touch of controversy and you are highly sought after.
Alfred St in Terrace End was namedfor James Alfred Nash, who was mayor of Palmerston North from 1908 to 1923. He's credited with leading the transition from town to city.
Alfie - can I call you Alfie - I'm not the only one in love with you. Some of your admirers have resided with you for decades or left and returned.
Your popularity led to what was no doubt the saddest time in your life, when your home Waimarama was removed - in pieces - to make way for six modern houses, but at least the name lives on in the new court developed to access the subdivision.
The 14 rooms of 14ft stud with embossed metal ceilings were built to Nash's order in 1905 on the terrace at the end of Alfred St. Shortly afterwards, it was bought and named by Thomas R Moore. The house is now an Airbnb near Masterton.
Like many distinguished gentlemen (can we still use that term?), you are hard to approach. In fact, you can be approached from only the west. I don't care the sign below your name says No Exit. I'm happy to be stuck with you.
As with so many streets close to the central city, Alfred St has infill housing. Photo / Judith Lacy
What I love about you the most, dear Alfred St, is you are a microcosm of Palmerston North. Original houses jostle for room with infill and there are so many housing styles evident, it makes me wish I'd married an architect so I could knowledgeably describe what I see. There's matai weatherboards, double brick, wider-than-standard weatherboards, modern materials.
Like all great men Alfred, your street is full of contradictions, not least all the missing numbers. There's no 7, 13, 14, 31, 32 or 43 to name just a few gaps in your teeth. There are lots of As though, a sign of progress and how popular the street is.
James Linton, who went on to serve two terms as mayor, and his family were the first settlers in Terrace End. Linton settled on the land he purchased, which is now part of Alfred St, and erected the first house in Palmerston North's first suburb.
No. 17 Alfred St is now the site of three townhouses, but used to be a Scout hall. During the demolition in 2019, letters from World War I were found in the ceiling cavity.
Houses in Rainforth St that tower over your eastern flank add an air of grandeur.
A touch of the Gothic in Alfred St, Palmerston North. Photo / Judith Lacy
I have spent hours researching you Alfred St, and I hope this letter, written during Local History Week, meets your approval. To me, it seems mightily inadequate, but my love is genuine. Who knows, maybe in 100 years' time it will be found hidden in your waistcoat.
