Botany area in 1850 and before

In early 1800’s the landscape of Botany was really plain and most of the area was covered by trees and many small plants. There were very few houses in the area and there is less evidence of people living as well. By 1850 there were many farms as Europeans lived in big plots or farm houses in which they grew plants and had animals to have sufficient food sources. Europeans started to build beautiful gardens. Europeans in 1800’s had very different living styles to what they have now. The clothing was very formal and kind of uncomfortable. Women wore long dresses and most of them covered their head by a cloth. Men wore ties and tuxedoes with long pants and jackets. There weren’t cars or buses at that time. There was a boat service in Botany area which enabled people to travel long distances. Many Europeans also travelled by horses or horse drawn cart. Others who couldn’t afford these just had to walk. The poor people lived in small houses made of wood, sticks, hay and coconut branches whereas, rich people lived in big houses made of bricks, wood and cement. In 1850 the first Anglican Church was built in Otahuhu.