Beach Street

Beach is a simple and very common street name. The Automobile Association lists ‘Beach’ as the third most popular street name in New Zealand – this includes both Beach Streets and Beach Roads.  Beach Street in New Plymouth runs from Devon Street East toward Fitzroy Beach, hence the name. In 2004 a previously unnamed roadway down to the beach reserve was named after a local identity, Ron Barclay.

On the evening of 17 February 1909, 32 sections (DP2807) in what was then known as Shuttleworth’s Estate were put up for auction at Leslie Adams Nolan’s New Plymouth office. The sections, on either side of Beach Street, ranged in size from quarter of an acre near Devon Street to “over half an acre” closer to the beach.

In the lead-up to the auction, newspaper advertisements ramped up enthusiasm for the locality with the catch cry “Why Live in Town?”. The suburbs were deemed the place to be, with “plenty of fresh air and space… children will be healthier and happier for the romps in the green paddocks”. Fitzroy was described as the “leading suburb in New Plymouth” (TDN 1 February 1909)with Beach Street located only two minutes from all Fitzroy village had to offer.  Despite all the enthusiasm for the locality only a few quarter-acre sections sold on the night – for up to £140 – although it was reported several more would-be purchasers were negotiating privately.

The local area had acquired the name “Shuttleworth Estate” from a prominent landowner, Darius Shuttleworth. Darius had immigrated to New Plymouth from England with his brothers in early 1856. After the First Taranaki War, the brothers established a successful business as timber merchants, ironmongers and general importers.

Darius Shuttleworth died on 27 December 1901 after a long illness. By the time Beach Street was formed and subdivided, the land had been bought by farmer Anders Hagenson, but for marketing purposes the well-known local name of Shuttleworth was used. 

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.