A vast cemetery once sprawled across the land bound by Sydney’s Elizabeth, Pitt and Devonshire streets — where Central Station now stands. The Devonshire Street cemetery opened in 1820, but the city’s major burial ground filled up quickly in the decades following, only to become overgrown and abandoned. In January 1901, when the state government announced its intention to clear the cemetery, well over 30,000 bodies were buried there.
Thousands of people travel through Central Station every day, but how many know what once lay beneath it? Dead Central will take you on a journey back to 19th century Sydney, to rediscover a place you thought you knew.
This haunting story is told through a 35-minute audio recording using your own device.
We recommend that you bring your own headphones for the best sound experience.
The Old Cemetery, Devonshire Street
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The Sand Hills Burying Grounds, Sydney, illustration to scheme, No.1
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George Bond, John Cadman, Maria Ann Carrod, William Carrod, Eleanor Cork
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Mrs Josephine Ethel Foster
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Samuel and Easter [Esther] Bradley, Mary Martin
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Mrs Josephine Ethel Foster
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Devonshire Street Cemetery - Labourers preparing ground for Central Railway Station
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Royal Australian Historical Society
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Central Railway Station at Railway Square, Sydney
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Hear curator Elise Edmonds in conversation with Cassie McCullagh, ABC Radio Sydney
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the Burial Files Podcast
Thousands of people travel through Sydney's Central Station every day, but how many know what once lay beneath it? Get ready to embark on a journey back to 19th century Sydney, to rediscover a place you thought you knew.
Episode 1: Hidden History
Human remains were recently discovered at Central Station. How long have they been there?
Listen on:
iTunes Google Podcasts Soundcloud Visit the podcast website