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35,000 BCE
Region inhabited by the Boon Wurrung people
Historians estimate that the StKilda region has been inhabitated by the Boon Wurrung people of the larger Kulin nation for as long as 31-40,000 years. At the time the land was called Euro Goroke, which meant 'grinding stone place'. The land at this time was said to have had open woodlands and wetlands, and with such a water-rich environment, people would have lived off fish, eels, frogs, and turtles. -
European Settlement
StKilda's first official european settler was said to be Benjamin Baxter in around 1839, and the region was named after the boat "Lady of StKilda", which was anchored off the beach in 1841 -
First building built
The first known building in the StKilda area is thought to be the stockman's hut built by Captain Benjamin Baxter -
Change in Land Use
By 1845, the collonisation of the area had lead to the majority of water holes to be dried up and indigenous vegetation destroyed due to roaming stock. -
Goldrush in Melbourne
Between 1852 and 1857, over 80,000 people flooded into Melbourne in search of gold. It created a need for accommodation, triggering an increase in small businesses and empolyment oppurtunities, and resulted in a greatly increased the population in the area. -
Railway built from Melbourne
Brought more people to the area, cricket and bowling clubs, hotels, and a race course were set up to accommodate them. -
Jewish Community came to StKilda
The StKilda Hebrew Congregation was formed, and synagogues were built throughout the region -
StKilda's population doubled
The population hit 19,000 in 1890, which was largely due to the opening of cheap tram services. This triggered an increase in visitors which lead to oppurtunities for small buisnesses. -
Draining of land
During the 1880s, thin drains were built throughout the region to drain the vast amount of water that existed due to the swamps in the area, in order to increase the fertility of soil, and the ability to build structually sound buildings. -
Luna Park was built
The creation of this landmark led to a change in attraction of the StKilda area. Previoulsy, the region had been seen as a village, but with the introduction of Luna Park and then later the Palais, StKilda had become a carnival. -
Increase of young people
Due to StKilda's cheap housing, during the 1960s, many young artisits and musicians were attracted to the area -
Decrease in population
There was a 10% (7,000) decrease in population due to increased evidence of drugtrafficking, prostitution, and homeless people in the area. -
Cafes developed in Acland Street
Due to the increase in european migrants in the area, Acland street soon became renouned for its variety of cake shops, and became a land mark in Melbourne, attracting international tourists -
Threat of development of foreshore
Two well known foreshore sites (The Esplanade Hotel and The Palais Theatre) were threatened by overdevelopment for appartments, but strong local protests prevented this from occuring.