Newtown Timeline

By xgeorgem
  • The very beginning

    The very beginning

    Almost all of Newtown Municipality is granted to Lieutenant Thomas Rowley ('Kingston Farm') and to Nicholas Devine ('Burren Farm'); there are seven other smaller lots ( 20/30 acres) granted to lower-ranking army personnel and emancipists
  • Period: to

    Newtown Timeline

  • First name

    First name

    Governor William Bligh takes up the 210 acre area originally granted to the support the colony's schoolmaster in 1779 and names it as 'Camperdown'

  • Camperdown Race Course

    Camperdown Race Course is in operation near the junction of Missenden and Salisbury Roads

  • First knwon as New Town

    The Sydney Gazette notes this area is known as New Town; there is a Newtown in Hobart and there was one in Melbourne which was renamed Collingwood in 1842.

  • A road

    Thomas Mitchell & Robert Wardell discuss a road through the area to the south.
  • Emma Macpherson's artical

    Emma Macpherson's artical

    Emma Macpherson describes New Town as a flourishing suburb (in My Experiences in Australia 1858)

  • John Thompson describe Aboriginal life in the area

    Accounts by James Backhouse and illustrations by John Thompson describe Aboriginal life in the area, particularly around Cooks River
  • first small allotment sale

    first small allotment sale

    Sir Maurice O'Connell makes first small allotment sale at 'Camperdown Terrace.'

  • The Cooks River Road Trust is formed

    The Cooks River Road Trust is formed by a consortium of landowners who collect tolls for the next thirty years
  • 'History of NSW from its settlement to the close of year 1844

    'History of NSW from its settlement to the close of year 1844

    ' Elegant private residences in the romantic district of New Town' are described by Thomas Henry Braim's 'History of NSW from its settlement to the close of year 1844'.

  • The Loyal St Johns Lodge of Masons commence; it will have 1800 members by 1912).

  • The first St Stephen's Church of England is consecrated and opens c.1846

    The first St Stephen's Church of England is consecrated and opens c.1846

  • Writer Daniel Deniehy praises the fresh air and rural nature in 'The Legend of New Town' (published in 'The Sentinel').

    Writer Daniel Deniehy praises the fresh air and rural nature in 'The Legend of New Town' (published in 'The Sentinel').

  • The Wesleyans build their first church.

  • Church of England Cemetery Company

    Shareholders in the Church of England Cemetery Company buy 13 acres from the O'Connell family to open up the Camperdown Cemetery; the first burial is Sir Maurice O'Connell himself
  • Newtown Ejectment Case

    Newtown Ejectment Case

    The long running legal case which became known as the Newtown Ejectment Case started in 1852 and went back and forth between England and Australia seven times before a settlement was reached. It started when a descendant of Nicholas Devine, a 'Micky Devine', came to Australia and laid claim to a large area of Newtown claiming that Bernard Rochford, Nicholas Devine's servant, had illegally claimed his employer's estate.
  • Thomas Holt, woolmerchant and Treasurer in the first colonial government buys the Camden Villa estate

    Thomas Holt, woolmerchant and Treasurer in the first colonial government buys the Camden Villa estate

  • The Sydney-Parramatta Railway opens

    The Sydney-Parramatta Railway opens

  • Newtown station open

    Newtown station open

    Newtown station opens with a level crossing at Station Street. John Faulkner is the first stationmaster

  • Ten steam trains per day service Newtown.

  • The Newtown Congregational Church opens

    The Newtown Congregational Church opens (on last Sunday in November) on land donated by John Fairfax. It is similar in design to that of Redfern (1847-1964).
  • The main building of the University of Sydney is completed

    The main building of the University of Sydney is completed

    The main building of the University of Sydney is completed. Lecturers Dr. Charles Badham and Registrar and Assistant Professor of Classics Hugh Kennedy reside in Newtown
  • John Askew's 'Voyage to Australia and New Zealand'

    John Askew's 'Voyage to Australia and New Zealand'

    Newtown is 'a beautiful village' according to John Askew's 'Voyage to Australia and New Zealand'. At this time the area comprises terrace houses on narrow streets in the O'Connell and Kingston subdivisions. There are large homes on big estates at Enmore and south of Wilson Street. Notable residents include Thomas Holt, newspaper-owner Samuel Bennett, Colonial Treasurer Sir Saul Samuels MLA, banker Felix Wilson, David Hutchinson, chief clerk to Supreme Court and Auditor-General, Christopher Rolle

  • Municipalities Act

    The passing of the Municipalities Act of 1858 prompts local people to suggest municipal councils to supply services and apply rates. Redfern is incorporated this year. 169 local residents (claiming to represent 8000 inhabitants in 3500 houses) petition the Governor for a council to cover everything between Redfern and Ashfield down to Botany Bay.

  • The Newtown Cricket Club commences at the University grounds (and later moves to what is now Erskineville Oval)

  • Paddington is incorporated this year

    718 householders and freeholders of Newtown sign a counter-petition saying that the December 1859 petition would be 'injurious to their interests'. Paddington is incorporated this year

  • The census records 165 one-roomed houses in Newtown

  • The Municipality of Marrickville is incorporated

  • Caroline Chisholm opens a school

    Caroline Chisholm opens a school

    Caroline Chisholm (1808-1877) opens a school for girls at Rathbone House on Stanmore Road near Fotheringham Street and prepares to open the Greenbank School at Tempe House.
  • A meeting, presided over by J Lucas at the Union Inn calls for a municipality

    A meeting, presided over by J Lucas at the Union Inn calls for a municipality

    according to the Newtown Guardian newspaper of 13th December 1962

  • Newtown is incorporated and covers 480 acres in three wards, O'Connell in the east, Kingston the west and Enmore south.

  • National School

    National School

    A public school known as a 'National School' commences in rooms owned by the Congregational Church

  • Council's first meeting is held in the Oddfellows Hall.

    Architect/surveyor Frederick Holland is voted first Chairman
  • 223 persons again petition Governor John Young for a Newtown Municipal Council.

    223 persons again petition Governor John Young for a Newtown Municipal Council.

  • A first burial is made at the Petersham Catholic Cemetery.

  • Doctor Joseph Kingsbury is elected Chairman.

  • Councillor William Curtiss declares that a house of ill-fame in Hordern Street is a disgrace to the neighbourhood.

  • Council meetings are held in the School of Arts building.

  • Henry Munro is elected Chairman.

  • Captain Mc'Lerie

    Captain Mc'Lerie, the Inspector General of Police, approves Council paying £10 to the local Senior Constable of Newtown so he may assist in the suppression of nuisances.

  • Council discusses buying the triangle of land north of the railway station

  • Builder William Curtis is elected Chairman

  • Chairman Henry Munro announces the suspension of clerk W.H.Mackay for using a cancelled cheque.

  • Robert Tubbey and others testify to Government enquiry into the profit-making company which manages Camperdown Cemetery

    An ex-gravedigger, Robert Tubbey and others testify to Government enquiry into the profit-making company which manages Camperdown Cemetery. They mention that 14390 bodies and 233 still-born children have been interred there; twelve to fourteen coffins packed together (in the pauper-ground, from the poor-houses) and loose earth filled in over them; coffins all 'blow-flied over like a lot of bees, maggots in the water; a pond a mass of putrefaction running down towards the railway station; and a g

  • St Joseph's Catholic Church is being built.

  • Councillor Bailey complains of stagnant water in a hole on or Joy's property at corner of Station and Crescent Streets

    this will be first of many such complaints.

  • One person dies in train crash at Newtown station

  • The revised Municipalities Act replaces the terms 'Chairman' and 'Councillors' with 'Mayor' and 'Aldermen'

    the municipality is called a 'borough' until 1884.
  • Council is overdrawn at the Australian Joint Stock Bank

    Council is overdrawn at the Australian Joint Stock Bank

  • Henry Munro is elected Mayor

    Henry Munro is elected Mayor

  • The Councils of Cook and Camperdown amalgamate.

  • Builder William Curtis is elected mayor

  • £635 is spent to enlarge and renovate the School of Arts building as the Town Hall.

    £635 is spent to enlarge and renovate the School of Arts building as the Town Hall.

    £635 is spent to enlarge and renovate the School of Arts building as the Town Hall.

  • The population of the municipality is 4328 people

    The state government gives £300 to widen Enmore Road.

  • Builder William Bailey is elected Mayor and remains so until 1876.

    During these years Council's annual budget will be reduced by 1/3.
  • foundation stone for St. Stephens Church Camperdown

    foundation stone for St. Stephens Church Camperdown

    The Governor, the Earl of Belmore and his wife, lays the foundation stone for St. Stephens Church Camperdown and the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Darlington. The illustrated Sydney News considers the Darlington site as a 'most beautiful and salubrious position elevated above all surrounding land, advantages that cannot be too highly estimated when the deprivation of the unfortunate and afflicted creatures to whose welfare and benefit this noble institution is devoted are considered'.

  • St Peters is incorporated

  • Petersham is incorporated

  • Macdonaldtown is incorporated

    Macdonaldtown is incorporated

  • Town of Newtown

    Council applies to the Government to proclaim Newtown a town, to be known and styled as the Town of Newtown

  • Star of Peace

    177 residents petition the Legislative Assembly against the Sunday traffic in intoxicants. The local branch of temperance campaigners against that 'fruitful source of care, misery, drunkenness and immodesty' are known as the Daughters of Temperance, Fourth division (known as the 'Star of Peace') and meet in their hall on Newtown Road.

  • The new St Stephens church celebrates its first service.

  • a meeting calling for a larger public school

    Henry Parkes, William Wilkins and over 100 parents attend a meeting calling for a larger public school. Parkes says it is a surprise that so 'populous and prosperous a place' does not have appropriate housing for its 200 pupils.

  • The municipal pound commences in Wells Street

  • Clerk Robert N. Banks (who commenced in March 66) dies

  • Council decides that the Town Hall will no longer be let for dancing.

  • Superior Public School

    Henry Parkes and Thomas Holt officiate at the laying of the foundation stone at the Superior Public School to a design by George Allen Mansfield. Stephen Campbell Brown MP says Newtown is one of the largest suburbs in the colony with a larger number of inhabitants than any other in Sydney and refers to the sectarian controversies of the day by saying there is 'no bigotry' here (Town & Country Journal).

  • The tollgates at the entrance of Newtown and at the bridge are abolished

  • earth closet system within the Borough

    Council's Nuisance Prevention Committee arrange for the encouraging and carrying out the earth closet system within the Borough

  • Newtown Road is renamed King Street and Enmore is renamed Queen Street.

  • A first mention is made of a split in the Enmore ward.

  • Mayor Smith suspends Council clerk E.V. Llewelyn

    Mayor Smith suspends Council clerk E.V. Llewelyn on suspicion of not accounting for £5/17 rate money received in December.

  • The Eveleigh railway yards commence operation and will greatly expand around 1885.

  • The Public Instruction Act

    The Public Instruction Act is enacted requiring much school building work; Newtown North Superior Public School in 1883, Enmore in 1887 and Camdenville in 18xx.

  • The Police form the No. 5 Division supervised by Acting Sub-Inspector Larkins.

  • The Wesleyan Newington College moves to Stanmore.

    The Wesleyan Newington College moves to Stanmore.

  • Disinfectant is flushed down drains to counteract the threat of smallpox

  • The municipal population is now 8327.

  • 616 votes are cast as local options for the Licensing Act.

  • A water supply commences at a standpipe in Bedford Street

  • The Newtown Courthouse is completed.

    The Newtown Courthouse is completed.

  • Marrickville Councils writes urging the prevention of further pollution of Cooks River.

  • The Enmore ward is split into Enmore and Camden.

  • Enmore Park is proclaimed within the Marrickville's municipality but controlled by an independent trust until May 1909

  • Bank of Australasia

    Bank of Australasia

    Council transfers its account to the Bank of Australasia after 23 years with the Australian Joint Stock Bank.

  • Council is sued for the first time, by Mr D Murray who falls over asphalt

  • Mr Bartlett's Varieties Theatre is i operation in King Street

  • Petitioners complaining of large volumes of smoke from the brickyards.

  • Trocadero amusement opened

    Trocadero amusement opened

    The Trocadero amusement hall and skating rink opens in Kings Street; the minutes for April this year mention a swimming club.
  • A branch of Sydney Technical College opens in Newtown.

    A branch of Sydney Technical College opens in Newtown.

  • A steam tram operates between Newtown and St Peters station; it will later be replaced by a horse tram

  • Newtown is the fourth most populous of Sydney's suburbs. Marie Ryan, p 4.

  • The John Vicars Wool spinning mills is established near Edgeware Road

    The John Vicars Wool spinning mills is established near Edgeware Road

  • Erskineville separates from Macdonaldtown Municipality

  • A plan to rename the municipality as South Sydney is discussed

  • Dead children are found in the garden of baby farmer John Makin of Macdonaldtown.

  • Opening of the Bankstown railway line.

    Opening of the Bankstown railway line.

  • There are 4668 houses and 22 miles of streets in the municipality

  • Tram depots open at Newtown and Tempe

    Tram depots open at Newtown and Tempe

  • The Commonwealth of Australia established.

  • The population of the municipality is 22640 people

  • Camperdown ratepayers petition to join Newtown this year but it is amalgamated within Sydney City in 1908.

  • The Newtown Markets are in operation on Newman Street opposite the school.

  • Newtown's Rugby League Club is formed.

  • Royal Commission on Sydney Improvement proposes two branch rail lines to Randwick and Botany branching off just south of Erskineville station.

  • The Victoria Palace and Clay's Picture theatres in operation; the Stadium opens in 1912.

  • Residents at Sydney University's Women's College in Carillon Avenue describe Newtown as a 'drab industrial suburb'

    Residents at Sydney University's Women's College in Carillon Avenue describe Newtown as a 'drab industrial suburb'

  • The municipality's gas streetlights are disconnected and replaced with 418 electric lamps, there will be 465 lamps in 1922.

  • The population of the municipality is now 26498 people.

  • A murder in Gowrie street. Jubilee Celebrations.

  • A Royal Commission into electorates proposes Newtown be included with the city and eastern suburbs

  • Army Barracks are established at Addison Road Marrickville; it is said that one sixh of lovcal eligible men were called up for service.

  • Local hotels have 'six o'clock closing' until 1955.

  • Majestic Theatre opens in Erskineville Road, renamed as the Elizabethan in 1955.

    Majestic Theatre opens in Erskineville Road, renamed as the Elizabethan in 1955.

  • Influenza Epidemic.

  • The population of the municipality peaks at 28168 people.

  • Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

  • The Salvation Army builds hall in Brown Street.

  • The railway is expanded with two island platforms demolished, the bridge widened and the Hatte's drinking fountain removed.

  • Real estate agents Hardie & Gorman classifies its Newtown properties as being part of the 'city' rather than suburban.

  • The Mc Kell Greater Sydney BIll.

  • The 'Black Friday' eviction battle between police and tenants in Union Street.

  • Newtown Rugby League Club wins premiership.

    Newtown Rugby League Club wins premiership.

  • The population of the municipality declines to 25290 people.

  • Additions are made to facade of Town hall.

  • Lilian Fowler is Newtown's and Australia's first woman Mayor.

    Lilian Fowler is Newtown's and Australia's first woman Mayor.

  • The population of the municipality declines to 24933 people.

  • Newtown is incorporated into the City of Sydney.

  • Elizabethan Theatre opens.

    Elizabethan Theatre opens.

  • Mary Reibey's house is demolished for inexpensive flats.

    Mary Reibey's house is demolished for inexpensive flats.

  • Part of Newtown under Marrickville Council; South Sydney Council formed.

  • Elizabethan Theatre destroyed by fire.

    Elizabethan Theatre destroyed by fire.