The Hidden History of Surry Hills

Picture this; it is 1920 and Surry Hills is an absolute miserable corner of Australia.  Surry Hills has been dubbed “The Chicago of the South,” and it is titled rightfully so.  It’s a time where illegal drugs, alcohol, and prostitution are the most lucrative industries.  The streets are ruled by street urchins and gangs, who’s weapon of choice is a razor, rather a gun, solely because the razor proves more terrifying to victims, when extracted stealthily from coat pocket.  This crime laden area is controlled, not by a man, but by one woman; the Queen of the Underworld, Kate Leigh.  She came to Australia as one of thousands of neglected children, sent here to be put up in an institution.  Kate married a young gangster, and used her connections to rise to the top.  She was the best of the best when it came to pushing drugs, supplying illegal liquor, and was a champion at prostitute recruitment.  Nothing went down in Surry Hills unless it went through Kate Leigh first.  Her flat on 212 Devonshire was the head office of crime, serving thousands of customers their daily dose of liquor after 6PM when the bars closed down.

Kate ruled with a “punch stronger than a mules kick” and was the most memorable figure of all Surry Hills.  She continued to live her life under the radar from police and imprisonment, due to her connections that ran deep within the law enforcement.  Kate Leigh died in 1964, suffering from a major stroke, causing her to swallow her own tongue.  Her infamous apartment still exists today, and cast around it is the spirit of the past.  Most of Surry Hills has been demolished and rebuilt since the utter squalor and disgrace of the Razor Gangs and Kate Leigh.

Today it is an upscale neighborhood, vibrant with color, and an overall sense of peace.  Crown Street is one of the most classy streets of all Sydney, and it is not to be missed by those who decide to make the trip down under.  The coffee shops here are all fair trade organic, and have chic decor that sets a tranquil mood as soon as you arrive (a complete 180 from Amsterdam haha.)  Oh, and the vintage fashion scene; top notch.  Clothing stores chalk-full with a wonderful abundance of recycled treasures, it will make your heart flutter with joy.  With so many unique restaurants, galleries, and boutiques, I don’t know how we are going to stick to the “budget!”  


Welcome to our new neighborhood!