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Bass and Flinders
Bass and Flinders Bass and Flinders were sent to explore the possibility that there existed a straight between the great continent and Van Diemens Land -
Lt William Paterson
Settlement of the area began when Lt Col William Paterson and his party set up camp where George Town now stands -
Governor Philip King
Lt Col Paterson changed the name of Patersonia to Launceston in honour of Governor Philip King who was born in Launceston in England -
Name Change
Launceston, then called Patersonia (in honour Lt Col Paterson) was founded -
The first buildings
The first early Colonial and Victorian buildings were built and many still exist today -
Superintendants House
The convict's superintendant house on the corner of George and William Streets was built. Prisoners slept there at night and were taken out in work gangs during the day -
Best Brick Building
Paterson Barracks was built, and was described at the time as the very best brick building in Van Diemen's Land -
St John Street
The public buildings in St John Street were built and contained the post office and the telegraph office -
The first telegraph message
The first telegraph message direct from england was recieved - it took 24 hours to transmit -
Custom House
Custom House was built in the mining boom, when ore fro the rich tin mine at Mt Bischoff was processed in the town and Launceston also supplied the mine fields fields on the west coast. Trade flourished and the customs duties contributed to a booming Tasmanian economy
