Humphreys Ave and Carnarvon

seemex
Mon, 10/04/2021 - 23:28
oldernewer
Humphreys Ave and Carnarvon

Typical of the residential buildings along Humphreys Ave in the early 1900s. It compares with the view of photos from my grandfather's wedding in 1909 which I believe were also taken at their home, 4 Humphreys Ave

Date picture taken
unknown
Tags
Humphreys Ave
Author(s)
Seemex
Shows place(s)
1-4 Carnarvon Villas - K. I. L. No. 412, Carnarvon Road [????-????]

Comments

The corner in the wall looks too sharp to be on Humphreys Ave?

I think it shows the north side of Carnarvon Road, where it has the bend opposite the junction with Cornwall Avenue (and later Bristol Avenue) that is out of sight to the left. The two buildings in the foreground are shown at the northwest corner of that junction on this map:

https://gwulo.com/map-of-places#19/22.29779/114.17292/Map_by_ESRI-1920_…

I'm not sure of the exact location of the photo; just that it was shown to be close by and appears to be indicative of the style of architecture in the area during that period. When looking at other photos of Humphreys Ave, Carnarvon, Cameron, etc. they compare to the photos taken when my grandfather was married in 1909. His wedding group photos appear to have been taken at their residence which was 4 Humphreys. 

As Carnarvon Road is sort of a zigzag road, it is sometimes difiicult to identify and confirm the location of houses that are on or near the triangular junctions of the road that meets up with Cornwall/Humphreys and Hart/Prat Avenues. 

1910/20s photos of Tsim Sha Tsui on Gwulo are limited. It would be nice to see photos of Humphreys Avenue from this era that you may possess. Thanks.

So, I looked at what I have on my compter and I think this is one saved from Gwulo to begin with, but it's interesting that it shows the exact same building but from the other side. I'm referring to the building with the cross figure at the top front of the building face. The building is on the left in this picture and on the right in the other. It's labeled Cameron Road - Humphreys Road. It's not my photos so I take no credit for it either. I'm simply reposting.

Cameron Rd-Humphreys Rd-Kowloon.jpg
Cameron Rd-Humphreys Rd-Kowloon.jpg, by Seemex

This is the photo I am comparing to the ones above, in particular the brickwork, the pillar mouldings, etc. The mouldings in this photo are light colored compared with the other but I think they are close enough to have been in the same group of buildings. The year for this picture is 1909 and is my grandfather Tobias Hunter and his bride Maud Thomson. 

Tobias and Maud Hunter Wedding sm.jpg
Tobias and Maud Hunter Wedding sm.jpg, by Seemex

The main photo shows Nos. 1-2 Carnarvon Villas on the northern side of Carnarvon Road with a terraced building at the rear fronting Nathan Road.

According to the 1938 Street Index (see here, Page 239 or Image 439),  No. 4 Humphreys Avenue was on K. I. L. 1205 on the northern side of Humphreys Avenue and on a straight section of road and unfortunately is not in the main photo. See also 1920 Map of Kowloon at https://www.hkmaps.hk/viewer.html

Humphreys Avenue can be viewed here