Tracing the Shifting Streets of Hamilton

Street names in Hamilton have undergone numerous changes since the earliest town plans were laid out and approved. This can pose significant challenges for researchers, particularly those investigating family history or local heritage. Addresses recorded in historic documents may no longer exist under the same name today, making it difficult to locate places on modern maps.

Victoria Street, now one of Hamilton’s main arteries stretching from Anzac Parade to Te Rapa Road, is the result of several former streets being joined and renamed over time. Historically, this corridor comprised:

• Tisdall Street (to Knox Street)
• Victoria Street (from Knox to Liverpool Street)
• Jersey Street (from Liverpool Street to Edgecumbe Street)
• Great South Road (from Edgecumbe Street northward)

 Tisdall Street still exists, just in a reduced capacity, while Jersey Street and the Great South Road no longer remain there.

Understandably, this complex web of name changes can create confusion for anyone trying to trace the history of a property or street.

Hamilton City Libraries holds a significant collection of historical maps, which provide invaluable insight into how the city has changed over time. While these maps depended on timely updates from authorities – and were not always current at publication – they remain essential resources for researchers.