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Christmas Island Archives Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) - Ruins, relics, stories and other interesting things

Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) - Ruins, relics, stories and other interesting things

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Faded, lost and forgotten – a fascinating history

It has been said and written that the Australian territory of Christmas Island is the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. It’s natural beauty, dramatic coast line and amazing wildlife cannot be overstated. To be able to sit under a waterfall washing away your life’s cares in the middle of a stunning rain forest landscape is simply magical. It is just one of many great nature based experiences to be had on this very special and unique island.

However, there is another aspect to Christmas Island that isn’t immediately evident because it has been largely ignored and yet it is half the story! And that is its historic human experience; the stories of the lives, the trials and tribulations of those earlier men and women who lived and laboured on this spec in the Indian ocean.

So many old stories and sites of this unique Isle are faded, lost and forgotten. The information about some of these can be found in books, documents, archives and in stories and memories from the islanders and ex-islanders themselves. But, it is all so scattered and can take quite an effort to unearth it all.

And, it’s an unfortunate fact that, for whatever reason, historic buildings and sites have not been preserved and valued as they should have been. The island hides well its early and also World War II Japanese occupational history; in some cases, quite literally. The jungle and tropical climate eventually reclaims all that is forgotten and neglected; the old Christmas Island Club, former Mandors’ Quarters and Japanese sites are cases in point. And yet, despite this, there are still gems to be discovered and so many places to explore.

To be able to stand on a spot and know what and who was there before, of events that have passed, enables one to feel the true essence and spirit of place.

Fran Yeoh

I don’t want to reinvent the wheel; there are some excellent books that have already been written about Christmas Island. What I do want to do however, is bring together and highlight in the one place, all those scattered miscellaneous gems of really interesting information, early photos and stories that may otherwise have remained buried in an archive, a newspaper article, book or memory. And, for everyone to know that apart from the crabs and natural attributes there is another whole aspect of Christmas Island that should be remembered, told and preserved.

You may leave the island, but it will never leave you.

Fran Yeoh

This is an ongoing project, so whether you are planning to visit Christmas Island, already live there or just want to know more, I hope the information on this website will give an extra insight and appreciation of this unique place.

Fran Yeoh
Author of “Christmas Island Archives” and “The Roebourne Bank Murders” websites.

Part of the European Settlement, Flying Fish Cove" c1909
“Part of the European Settlement, Flying Fish Cove” c1909
© William MacDougall. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School thesis and dissertation collection
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Christmas Island Archives was selected for preservation by the State Library of Western Australia. It is now listed in perpetuity on PANDORA, Australia’s website archive established by the National Library of Australia.

Grant acknowledgement

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The base ruins of the Assistant Manager/Chief Engi The base ruins of the Assistant Manager/Chief Engineers house. It was once a substantial colonial home from the 1930s with beautiful gardens. It was still being occupied in June 1965 but by the 1970s it had been abandoned and neglected and fell into decay. The decision to demolish it was taken by a meeting of the CI Club members in 1977.
#christmasisland #ruin #ruins #history #historicalruins #colonialhouse #jungleruins #jungle #christmasislandarchives
A sound from the past Footsteps upon the stair I A sound from the past 
Footsteps upon the stair
I turned around quickly
But no-one was there.
#christmasislandarchives #ruins #steps #ghost #christmasisland
When exploring this old ruin at South Point on Chr When exploring this old ruin at South Point on Christmas Island with my sister-in-law, she noticed a bracket type fixture. It is located in the back corner where the white arrow indicates in the main picture. Were these meant for chains and shackles?
#christmasisland #history #shackles #oldstructure #christmasislandarchives #ruin #southpointchristmasisland
A photo of probably the first Chinese temple to be A photo of probably the first Chinese temple to be built on Christmas Island c1902-1904. This site is in Settlement at the Temple Court area on Gaze Road. The original temple, shown here in black and white, appears to have been replaced in later years by the current one (scroll across) still standing on the original site. It is today known as the Tai Pak Kong temple - Tua Pek Kong (Chinese: 大伯公; Tâi-lô: Tuā-peh-kong).
#christmasisland #taoisttemple #chinesetemple #christmasislandarchives #culture #taoist
“In the universe, there are things that are know “In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.” ~ William Blake
I think the old wooden banners around the door may have been rescued when a nearby temple was being renovated many years ago? I'm not sure about this, so if anyone can tell me their origin that would be great.
#christmasisland #chinesedoor #reddoor #christmasislandarchives
Just one of many fascinating stories that were exh Just one of many fascinating stories that were exhibited at my Faded Lost Forgotten exhibition held on Christmas Island during Territory Week in 2021 and 2022.
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #cemetery #headstone #gravesite #grave #arab #forgottenplaces #lostcemetery #kubur #christmasislandarchives
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Authentic stories reflecting the experiences of past and present Christmas Islanders.

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