Thanks to HF for posting another interesting early Peak pic.
A and B. Both were elements of Dunheved until becoming the earliest format of the Peak Hotel at the beginning of 1888 (1).
C. Treverbyn.
D. Not sure. Cloudlands or The Cliffs, probably the latter.
E. E sits on the upper slopes of FL 63, where the Commodores Bungalow would later be built. The 1886/7 Peak Rates Book listed FL 63 as occupied by Admiralty Sanitarium, so this may be E. Other possibilities for E are Admiralty Bungalow which was listed in the 1887, 1888 and 1889 Peak Directories as the summer residence of Commodores Morant and Maxwell, or The Hut which appears together with Admiralty Bungalow on FL 63 on the 1889 Peak Map. Whatever its actual function, E was almost certainly owned by the Admiralty.
F. Craigieburn.
G. Stolzenfels.
H. The Homestead Bungalow. It was situated on the ridge between Plunkets Gap and Mount Kellett.
Now to date the photo.
The Peak Tram Engine House, at the left edge of the photo, looks complete and smoke is rising from its chimneys, suggesting it was operational when the photo was taken. The Peak Tram opened on 30 May 1888, but I expect extensive testing was conducted for months beforehand, perhaps since late 1897. So late 1897 is probably the earliest date the photo could have been taken.
To the right of E the ridgeline rises to a triangular peak. Out of sight behind this peak was the small building named Cronest. The peak would be flattened when Cronest was demolished and replaced by the far larger Mountain View terrace of houses in late 1888 or early 1889 (2). Therefore, the photo was taken in early 1889 at the latest.
Considering the above two points together leads to the conclusion that this photo was taken sometime between late 1887 and early 1889, say 1888.
Let’s now look at the 1889 Peak Map (3) to see if it confirms the building identifications made above. Here’s the relevant part of the map with the red lines showing the approximate limits of the photo.
The “key” to this map gives the following information;
RBL 5 & 17.Craigieburn.
FL 53.Treverbyn & Peak Hotel.
FL 59.The Homestead.
FL 62.Dunheved.
FL 63.Admiralty Bungalow & The Hut.
FL 67.Cronest.
There are two obvious discrepancies between the building identifications given earlier and the 1889 map/key.
The “key” places Treverbyn and Peak Hotel on the same lot (FL 53), with Dunheved next door (FL 62). Other authoritative sources put Dunheved and Peak Hotel together on the same lot in accordance with the well-known narrative that Dunheved became the earliest version of the Peak Hotel, with Treverbyn on the adjacent lot. The “key” is therefore incorrect in this regard.
Neither the map nor key mention Stolzenfels, the location of which would be to the left of RBL 5 on the map. Its omission suggests that it had not been built by 1889 and therefore could not be G in the photo. However, Stolzenfels was listed in the 1889 Peak Directory, from which we can conclude it existed by the publication date of January 1889. I can only guess that the 1889 map was based on an earlier map that had not been updated to include the recently completed Stolzenfels.
Having identified the above-mentioned errors in the 1889 map/key, I’ll stick with the building identifications and photo date given earlier. Corrections welcome.
References
(1). HK Daily Press and China Mail, 4 Jan 1888, both contain adverts for Peak Hotel with the proprietor stating that “he has now opened” the hotel.
(2). China Mail, 5th October 1888, reported that leveling of the ground at the Cronest site was nearing completion. HK Telegraph, 8th April 1889, reported that construction of Mountain View was well underway.
(3). The map, including a “key”, was published on 24th January 1889 in the 1889 Chronicle & Directory for China et al. The left half of the map, amended by the addition of some building names, is at https://gwulo.com/media/24691. Peak Hotel is amongst the added names, but has been incorrectly placed on FL 58. The “key” correctly states that Peak Hotel occupied FL 53.
Comments
On the very left is the…
On the very left is the upper terminus of the Peak Tram. I think that A is Dunheved / Peak Hotel (1st generation) [1875-1888], C is Treverbyn (RBL 78) [????-c.1924].
A and B together were the…
A and B together were the Peak Hotel
H
Tai Koo Peak House
Building IDs and the 1889 map
Thanks to HF for posting another interesting early Peak pic.
A and B. Both were elements of Dunheved until becoming the earliest format of the Peak Hotel at the beginning of 1888 (1).
C. Treverbyn.
D. Not sure. Cloudlands or The Cliffs, probably the latter.
E. E sits on the upper slopes of FL 63, where the Commodores Bungalow would later be built. The 1886/7 Peak Rates Book listed FL 63 as occupied by Admiralty Sanitarium, so this may be E. Other possibilities for E are Admiralty Bungalow which was listed in the 1887, 1888 and 1889 Peak Directories as the summer residence of Commodores Morant and Maxwell, or The Hut which appears together with Admiralty Bungalow on FL 63 on the 1889 Peak Map. Whatever its actual function, E was almost certainly owned by the Admiralty.
F. Craigieburn.
G. Stolzenfels.
H. The Homestead Bungalow. It was situated on the ridge between Plunkets Gap and Mount Kellett.
Now to date the photo.
The Peak Tram Engine House, at the left edge of the photo, looks complete and smoke is rising from its chimneys, suggesting it was operational when the photo was taken. The Peak Tram opened on 30 May 1888, but I expect extensive testing was conducted for months beforehand, perhaps since late 1897. So late 1897 is probably the earliest date the photo could have been taken.
To the right of E the ridgeline rises to a triangular peak. Out of sight behind this peak was the small building named Cronest. The peak would be flattened when Cronest was demolished and replaced by the far larger Mountain View terrace of houses in late 1888 or early 1889 (2). Therefore, the photo was taken in early 1889 at the latest.
Considering the above two points together leads to the conclusion that this photo was taken sometime between late 1887 and early 1889, say 1888.
Let’s now look at the 1889 Peak Map (3) to see if it confirms the building identifications made above. Here’s the relevant part of the map with the red lines showing the approximate limits of the photo.
The “key” to this map gives the following information;
RBL 5 & 17. Craigieburn.
FL 53. Treverbyn & Peak Hotel.
FL 59. The Homestead.
FL 62. Dunheved.
FL 63. Admiralty Bungalow & The Hut.
FL 67. Cronest.
There are two obvious discrepancies between the building identifications given earlier and the 1889 map/key.
Having identified the above-mentioned errors in the 1889 map/key, I’ll stick with the building identifications and photo date given earlier. Corrections welcome.
References
(1). HK Daily Press and China Mail, 4 Jan 1888, both contain adverts for Peak Hotel with the proprietor stating that “he has now opened” the hotel.
(2). China Mail, 5th October 1888, reported that leveling of the ground at the Cronest site was nearing completion. HK Telegraph, 8th April 1889, reported that construction of Mountain View was well underway.
(3). The map, including a “key”, was published on 24th January 1889 in the 1889 Chronicle & Directory for China et al. The left half of the map, amended by the addition of some building names, is at https://gwulo.com/media/24691. Peak Hotel is amongst the added names, but has been incorrectly placed on FL 58. The “key” correctly states that Peak Hotel occupied FL 53.