It also had many commercial offices and shops until the decline of the local Mount Lyell copper mine in the 1990s.
The junction at the western end is Driffield Street which links to the Lyell Highway.
The street provides a clear view of Mount Owen that lies above Queenstown to the east.
[2] Many structures remain in the historic streetscape, but are no longer functioning in their original purpose.
The street was named after William Orr (born 1843), who was one of the first major investors in the Mount Lyell Mine.