The Longs Lane Precinct, clustered around Cumberland and Gloucester Streets, and Long's and Caraher's Lanes, is a collection of 14 historical residential terrace buildings built between 1857 and 1915. The architectural condition of many of the buildings in the precinct is largely original, excepting some demolitions of rear wings and renovations during the 1920s. The laneways (Long's Lane existed prior to 1807) retain their very early original alignment and in places their original flagstones, although there has been restoration of the laneways to keep the surface safe for pedestrians by laying new sandstone flags where required. Archaeological excavations have revealed remains of earlier buildings, still buried.
A rich history of sailors, Maori whalers and both genteel and disreputable boarding houses.
