Summit Road

An album containing uncaptioned prints of various sizes, showing scenery and rest houses on the Summit Road. Photographs by C. Beken and others. The Summit Road owes its existence chiefly to the dedication and perseverance of Harry George Ell (1862-1934) who fought and planned for many years for the building of the scenic road which follows the summits of the hills overlooking Christchurch and Lyttleton Harbour. He originally envisaged 53 miles of road from Godley Head to Akaroa, with rest houses built along the way. As it stands today the visitor can travel along 18 miles of sealed roads from Gebbies Pass to Evans Pass, and after a short break in the road, continue to Godley Head. This album contains no pictures of the 'Sign of the Takahe', the gothic rest house built by hand by Ell and fellow devotees to the cause of conservation, since this was not completed until after his death, although started in 1918.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Summit Road, Y3089G

Indexed

This collection level description was entered by SG using information from the original typescript catalogue.

This collection is available on microfiche: Australasia, fiche number 88.