Osborne Illustrated - The Drive

c. 1898
Overview

Sepia print mounted on grey card of the Osorne Hotel Drive a road way that provided access to the hotel from the Perth-Fremantle Road (later Stirling Highway).

View of the Osborne Hotel and surrounding buildings and drive from the open entry gates.

Two people, a man in a dark suit with a stick and a lady in long skirt, with a sunshade, are walking towards the hotel.

To the left of the hotel building is the water tower and associated buildings.

There are trees on the right of the drive and cleared ground on the left.

Historical information

In 1894, James Grave began building the Osborne Hotel on 2 acre property on a cliff top in Claremont. The hotel had views of the Swan River and Indian Ocean and was regarded as Perth's finest resort hotel.

The hotel was surmounted by a tower with a 70 foot turret and was surrounded by landscaped gardens with fountains, flowers, retreats, shades and summer houses.

There was also a tennis court, bowling green, boat shed, swimming baths, with a flight of 200 steps (Osborne Steps) leading to the water's edge to cater for those arriving by boat at the Osborne Jetty.

The hotel and a street were named after Matilda Osborne, wife of the late William Osborne who financed the purchase of the land and the construction of the Hotel.

The Osborne Hotel was purchased by the Catholic Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) in 1901 and converted into the Loreto Convent.

The Loreto Convent was demolished in 1962.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-28--11-219
Item type
Photographs
Inscriptions and markings

Across the lower edge [OSBORNE ILLUSTRATED] and [THE DRIVE].
On the mount [Greenham & Evans. PERTH, W.A.].

Keywords
1890s
Year
Last modified
Saturday, 18 April, 2026
Completeness
94
Permissions

For authorisation to reproduce, publish or display, please contact 'Claremont Museum'.

Attribution requirements

Acknowledgements to be made to 'Claremont Museum 11.219'.

Town of Claremont Museum

Town of Claremont Museum

Osborne Illustrated - The Drive
Osborne Illustrated - The Drive
Source: Claremont Museum 11.219
Osborne Illustrated - The Drive
Osborne Illustrated - The Drive
Source: Claremont Museum 11.219

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