Demolition crews unearth Chch history

Photo / Sarah Ivey

Much of Christchurch's history has been lost in Canterbury's earthquakes, but history has also been unearthed.

The demolition of the central city Smith City store and the deconstruction of a heritage building at Christchurch Boys' High School has led to the discovery of long-hidden remnants of the city's past.

Underneath the Smith City building's floorboards, demolition crews have discovered old furnaces still standing.

Smith City chief executive Rick Hellings told Newstalk ZB there are five brick furnaces dating back to around 1875, when an engineering firm was based on the site.

"Basically, we've let everybody go in, have a good look at them. They've taken photographs and whatever records they want. Now we basically fill them in, and cover them over," he said.

Mr Hellings said the Historic Places Trust prefers such finds to remain in their original site.

Meanwhile at Christchurch Boys', graffiti dating back to the 1930s has been found during the deconstruction of the old "Radio Shack" building, the Press reports

The building, built in 1874, has sustained extensive damage in the quakes and is being deconstructed in order to preserve its heritage features.

Deconstruction workers have found the names of former students within the inner linings of the walls.

The school's principal Trevor McIntyre told The Press the school will go though lists of former students to track where the names on the wall are now.

- Newstalk ZB / NZ Herald Online