Concordia Gardens

The summer of 1905 was particularly hot and dry. When Concordia’s Highgate campus was dedicated on February 22, the 500 visitors walked through bare and dusty grounds with just a few sparse trees and scrubby bushes.

However, by 1927 this desert had been transformed into an oasis almost resembling the Garden of Eden.
‘One of the first things which attracts the attention of a visitor to Concordia is its beautiful garden. On entering the college gates from Cheltenham street, on the right was a small orchard with grapevines, a pomegranate tree as well as almonds, oranges, mandarins, peaches, loquats and lemons.
On the left there is a lawn with the grand old palm of Concordia, under which boys so often listen to popular artists on the gramophone. Surrounding the lawn is a border of roses…. A large graveled drive through picturesque flower beds and fruit laden trees leads to the main entrance.  Other gravel paths lead through stately pines and cedar trees….The garden is a constant source of pleasure and recreation for so many a Concordian.’
 (The Brown and Gold, 1927).