History of the Central Coast
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The first inhabitants of Brisbane Water Before the coming of the Europeans, Brisbane Water was the home of the coastal Guringai (Ku-ring-gai) people. The Guringai lived upon the natural resources of the area, collecting shellfish, fish, birds and bush plants. The 'country' occupied by the Guringai extended from the northern side of Sydney Harbour, to Lake Macquarie. Further inland, the Darkingung people relied on hunting small marsupials, digging yams and other vegetables for their livelihood. Tools and food sources were traded each year between tribes, and relations in the local area were apparently quite cordial. BRISBANE WATER AND THE EUROPEANS In early March 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip led a small party of officers and marines on an exploratory voyage along the coast to the north of Sydney Harbour. Only five weeks after the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove, it became clear that reliable supplies of water and food must be found if the settlement was to survive. During the eight day voyage, Phillip and his party made a brief exploration of both sides of Broken Bay. This included a tributary initially known as the 'north-west arm'. Later this area was to be called the 'north-east arm', and eventually 'Brisbane Water'. In 1789, a more thorough investigation of the 'north-west arm' was conducted. On the first voyage, Phillip had found little of immediate use to the Sydney Cove settlement. During this second voyage, the 'north-west arm' was discounted for agricultural use, owing to the rugged nature of the area. The Hawkesbury River was discovered by the party during the 1789 voyage, and this was to provide the colony with good farming land necessary for survival. In the meantime, the 'north-west arm' of Broken Bay was left untouched. European settlement of the Gosford district began in the 1820s with the main points of entry being Brisbane Water in the east and Mangrove Creek (a tributary of the Hawkesbury River) in the west. Most of the development subsequently occurred in the eastern or coastal sector. The early settlement of the district can be divided into two phases: The pioneering era, 1821-1831, when the district's resources were exploited and little development took place. The developing era, 1832-1843, when considerable growth occurred in population and industry. In the pioneering period, the attractions of the Brisbane Water area were its proximity to Sydney and its wealth of timber resources. The shores of the waterways were occupied by small settlers (including ex-convicts and 'currency lads') whilst the timbered country on Erina and Narara Creeks was dominated by the gentry. James Webb arrived as a free man on the convict transport 'Scarborough' in 1790, a soldier in the 102nd Regiment. He served until 1794. After his discharge, Webb was granted land in the district of Mulgrave Place on the Hawkesbury River. In 1808, James launched a small vessel, the 'Unity' at Green Hills. Later, he lived in Sydney, where he built boats and became active in trade. In 1822 Webb launched the sloop 'James' at Macdonald River. In October, 1823, Webb received permission to temporarily occupy 300 acres on the eastern side of the north-east (formerly the north-west) arm of Broken Bay, for the purposes of a cattle run. Late in 1824, Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane received a request for a grant of land in the same area. Webb's request was granted, and in September 1824 he received 100 acres on the western side of The Rip. This area was named 'Mulbong Farm'. James Webb died at Brisbane Water in June 1848. His age was given as 90, but this is believed to have been a rough guess. Frederick Hely, was Superintendent of Convicts in NSW and had several thousand hectares of land on Narara Creek. Hely called his property 'Wyoming'. His grave, cottage and a farmyard building can still be seen there, beside the Pacific Highway. At the head of Brisbane Water, on land between Erina and Narara Creeks, a government township was laid out in the 1830s. It was described as the Township at Point Frederick in honour of Frederick Hely whose death had occurred in 1836. But when the survey plan was sent to Governor Gipps for approval, it was returned with the notation 'to be called Gosford'. Research has shown that Governor Gipps served with the Earl of Gosford in Canada between 1835 and 1837 prior to being appointed Governor of New South Wales. EARLY INDUSTRY Following James Webb in the 1830s and 1840s were timber-getters, lime burners and ship-builders of Brisbane Water. Lime-burners collected shells from the many Aboriginal middens (banks of empty shells which were reminders of past feasts over countless years) or from large natural shell deposits around the shores. The shells were sent to Sydney to be burned to make lime for use in the building industry. Demand for shells gradually diminished as limestone became easier to quarry, and shell resources became exhausted. From the 1880's changes began to take place in the land use activities of the Brisbane Water district. The early economy of the area included timber getting, lime burning from shells, small farms and small grazing properties. This changed to include shipbuilding at Blackwall, Cockle Creek, Broadwater and Webbs Reef in the 1860s. Early shipbuilders of the district included Robert Henderson of Saratoga, Thomas Humphreys of Kincumber and the four Davis brothers, Ben, Thomas, Rock and Edward. Of the 500 named vessels identified by Gwen Dundon as having been built in Brisbane Water, the Davis' efforts accounted for an overwhelming majority. They were active at eight locations between the period 1848-1913. Shipbuilding continued using local timber into the 20th century. Timber-getters worked in the hills to obtain forest oak and ironbark for roofing shingles. Red Cedar was in high demand for furniture manufacture. Cedar getting began in 1820 and continued, to peak in 1830. Ship building became a secondary industry to the timber industry. Citrus orchards were planted on farms from 1880 where timber getters had cleared the land, and climate and soils were suitable. As roads were developed, farming spread to Somersby Plateau. In 1897 the district produced 3% of the state's citrus crop, increasing to 21% by 1921 and 34% in 1928. Market gardens and passionfruit were also increasing in popularity in the district. The number of buildings in Gosford increased slowly. Other early townships in the Gosford District were at East Gosford, Kincumber and Blackwall (near Woy Woy) where the main shipbuilding yard was located. Until the 1880s the district's timber and other 'produce' went to Sydney by water, since few land routes were available The railway, which was completed in 1887, provided opportunities for the commencement of tourist activities in the area. Large numbers of tourists used railway services to travel to Woy Woy and Gosford for fishing, hunting and sight seeing trips. Guest houses were developed to accommodate this rising demand for overnight or holiday accommodation. Railway access encouraged other industries, including dairying in the districts around Wyong. In 1925, the newly formed Main Roads Board began construction of the Pacific Highway. This work, completed in 1930, made road travel to the Gosford area much easier than previously. Further improvements, such as the replacement of the Hawkesbury River car ferries with a new road bridge in 1945, led to a rapid increase in the numbers of day-trippers to the Coast. Since the 1940s the greatest development in Gosford has been the growth of urbanisation in the eastern sector, brought about by improvements to the rail and road systems, an upsurge in secondary industries and State planning policies which see Gosford as part of an expanding Sydney region. In recent times, the expansion of metropolitan Sydney, the availability of private and public transport and improved road systems have combined to change the development of Gosford from a rural community prior to World War Two, to that of a city containing some secondary and service industries related to the tourist trade. Agriculture and horticulture continue in the mountain areas, but in
declining importance to employment and production. With its interesting history and beautiful surroundings, there are many reasons to visit the Central Coast region. Full Article Click Here
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