Celestial Avenue

Sometimes known as Celestial Alley.

Celestial Avenue was classified as a public avenue.

Named pre-1856.

Located at or near: 210-212 Bourke Street.

Probable or possible origin of name: Celestial, Chinese">https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00338b.htm">Chinese community, residents.

Location is approximate.

For more information, see: Bate, W., Broome, R., Davis, N., May, A. J., & Stitt, H. (2024). The story of Melbourne’s lanes: Essential but unplanned (pp. 91, 2, 21, 166). ISBN 978-1-875173-12-9.

"The reports reveal that most buildings were way below street level. The reason is clear from the inspector's comment on a two-storey house at the corner of Lonsdale Street and Corrs Lane. The street level had been raised, making the lower rooms unhabitable. Rainwater fell in the yard, drained under the floor, and lay stagnant half a metre deep, as it did in many cases. The inspection party needed strong boots. They came away saddened and appalled by the filth, the stench, and the image of people living like pigs. Apart from Little Bourke Street, or yards behind it, most properties were in lanes and alleys off Little Bourke:Celestial Alley, Corrs Lane and its alleys, Davis Lane and alley, Hayward Lane, Heffernan Lane, Juliet Terrace, Kytes Lane, McIntyre Lane, Menzies Alley, Princess Place, Tattersalls Lane and Williams Lane. Princess Place and Juliet Terrace were near the famous Princess Theatre." p. 91.