Kings Cross, known simply as "The Cross" to Sydneysiders.
Recognised by the massive Coca-Cola sign that signals the entrance to The Cross.
Kings Cross is not named directly after the Kings Cross in London, England.
Previously known as Queens Cross,it was named
to celebrate
Queen Victoria's
diamond jubilee in 1897. Confusion with Queens Square in
King Street not too far away in the city prompted its renaming as Kings Cross, after
King Edward VII, in 1905. The cross part of the name refers to the crossing of three major intersections - Darlinghurst Road, Victoria Street and William Street.
It boasts t
he El Alamein Fountain at the entrance to the Fitzroy Gardens and was commissioned as a memorial to soldiers who died in 1942 during
World War II in two battles at
El Alamein in Northern Africa. It was designed in 1961 by the New Zealand-born architect Robert Woodward. Its dandelion design has since been copied for fountains around the world.
During the 1920's it was an arts culture scene with live theatre, art galleries and the opening of strip clubs gave the area a naughty but nice scene.
After WWII, US soldiers flocked to Kings Cross, being a short walk from the berths at Woolloomooloo Bay and partied hard, celebrating in strip clubs.
In the early 1800's, Kings Crosswas an exclusive area in Sydney until flats, boarding houses and cheap accommodation sprang up over the years to cater for the increasing population.
The main street through Kings Cross is Darlinghurst Road, referred to as "The Strip."
Full of strip clubs and prostitutes, it's a popular destination for tourists keen to catch a glimpse of the naughty side of Sydney.
The lights are on 24/7, it's busy, it's noisy, and it's not a place to bring the kids.
Kings Cross is on a downhill spiral from the naughty but nice popularity to sleazy and dangerous.
A few years ago a legal heroine injecting room was established which users could safely inject under supervision. This in turn attracted more users and the crime rate escalated.
The government should be funding clinics away from the influence of The Cross.
Many local businesses have closed, the library is demolished and at least four major hotels have closed. Tourism has plummeted and the local government turns a blind eye towards drug activity in dark alleys.
A lot of new apartments have sprung up in the ghost of the closed hotels with million dollar views and a triple price tag to match.
Real-estate prices are rising and the cheap accommodation is not now so cheap.
