Remember the old Fort Macquarie? Here at The Fort Macquarie Tram Sheds Plaque, we stand on a site rich with history. It stretches back to colonial times. Before the iconic Sydney Opera House graced this spot, two structures stood tall here. First, there was Fort Macquarie. Then, the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot.
Fort Macquarie itself was a square fort. It had castellated battlements. The fort was built in 1798 on Bennelong Point. But in 1901, it was decided to remove Fort Macquarie.
In its place, the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot was built. It opened on August 10, 1902. The tram depot was designed in the style of a fortress. It had castellated ramparts. This paid homage to the previous building. The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot served as a terminus. It was also a depot for the city’s growing tram network.
The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot had 12 tracks. A loop line encircled the outside. The western side’s loop and sidings served as a layover point. This relieved pressure from Circular Quay during busy times. A signal box controlled entry to the depot and loop line. It was located adjacent to the tracks.
From Fort Macquarie, trams serviced many routes. They went to Rozelle, Drummoyne, Gladesville, and Ryde. Other routes included Forest Lodge, Balmain, and Birchgrove. Trams also ran to Haberfield, Five Dock, Abbotsford, Leichhardt, Glebe Point, Kensington and Rosebery. Some services also started at Circular Quay and Millers Point.
The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot measured 131 feet wide. The car shed was 250 feet long. The entire building spanned 307 feet. It stood 36 feet tall from ground level. From the pit level, it reached 41 feet. The turret soared to 80 feet.
Sadly, the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot’s life was relatively short. It closed on October 22, 1955. In 1958, the depot met its end. It was demolished to make way for the construction of the Sydney Opera House.
Today, nothing remains of the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot. The buildings were completely razed. However, this plaque commemorates its existence. The Fort Macquarie Tram Sheds Plaque ensures its memory lives on.
Recent archaeological digs have unearthed parts of the old fort. The Sydney Opera House Trust conducted excavations in 2022 and 2023. They found stonework from Fort Macquarie. They also uncovered remains of the 1860s Barbette extension. Even remnants of the early 20th-century tram depot were found.
So, as you visit the Sydney Opera House, remember what once stood here. Fort Macquarie and the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot. They are integral parts of Sydney’s rich history. The Fort Macquarie Tram Sheds Plaque is a reminder of this past.