OUR PLACE IN HISTORY

THEN AND NOW

OUR PLACE

IN HISTORY DRAFT

High Street has been the backbone of Penrith since the start of our recorded history.

It’s been the scene of some wild events. In 1890, Sergeant James Beatty of Penrith police was murdered while on duty in High Street. The policeman was confronting an unruly man who was passing through town, and was fatally stabbed in the line of duty.

The 1920s saw the heyday of the Nepean Picture Theatre on High Street. It was run by Lisle “Pop” Spence, an Alderman and Mayor of Penrith. He showed films three days a week at the theatre, and also held live events like boxing matches and concerts. His son Bruce took over running the theatre in the 1940s, and it remained a central part of local social lives right up until the 1970s.

HIGH STREET CIRCA 1906

Since then, High Street has taken different forms; a pedestrian mall in the 80s gave way to an eclectic mix of small bars, artisan cafes and independent stores, which today contribute to the bustling energy along the strip. These local

shops and businesses can’t be found anywhere else in the world – they are completely unique to Penrith. WITH ITS QUAINT ARCADES AND UNIQUE INDEPENDENT SHOPS, HIGH STREET REMAINS THE BACKBONE OF OUR CITY.