Hi, Darwin. Most of the prominent limestone buildings date from the 1860s to the 1890s, and their use during WWI would have been well-established by then. Oamaru was a prosperous centre, and the buildings would have been used for civilian, not military purposes. However, Oamaru played a significant role in the war (I just looked this up). Approximately 2,000 men from North Otago, including Oamaru, enlisted to serve in New Zealand's armed forces during World War I. Of these, at least 300 did not return, a substantial loss for a region with a population of around 15,500 in 1911.
Oamaru’s WWI Memorial stands in the middle of Thames Street (you can see it on the left of the first photo in this post). Against the backdrop of a 13-metre-tall tapering column of Sicilian marble set on a granite base, a bronze soldier consoles a small child (who symbolises the ideals of humanity).
Would these buildings have been in use in WW1? Cheers
Hi, Darwin. Most of the prominent limestone buildings date from the 1860s to the 1890s, and their use during WWI would have been well-established by then. Oamaru was a prosperous centre, and the buildings would have been used for civilian, not military purposes. However, Oamaru played a significant role in the war (I just looked this up). Approximately 2,000 men from North Otago, including Oamaru, enlisted to serve in New Zealand's armed forces during World War I. Of these, at least 300 did not return, a substantial loss for a region with a population of around 15,500 in 1911.
Oamaru’s WWI Memorial stands in the middle of Thames Street (you can see it on the left of the first photo in this post). Against the backdrop of a 13-metre-tall tapering column of Sicilian marble set on a granite base, a bronze soldier consoles a small child (who symbolises the ideals of humanity).
I love the Whitestone Cheese Co. Building. "Make cheese, not war," indeed! 😁
It's a great sign. And it's a good use for that lovely Art Deco building.
How interesting! Thank you for sharing this... make cheese, not war!! he, he! Excellent color!