Library
Balgownie - Timeline
| 1829 | John Buckland selected 1,920 acres based on a land grant and named this grant 'Balgownie' |
| 1835 | Deeds of the 'Balgownie Estate were issued to John Buckland the estate was sold to William Wilson |
| 1840's | The Ryan family bought a propery near Cabbage Tree Lane. The property was eventually subdivided into Yock, Ryan, Russell and property Streets |
| 1841 | Lots 1-4 of the 'Balgownie Estate' were advertised for sale |
| 1841-50 | Small acreages were taken up by farmers. The Caldwell family settled on the banks of the Balgownie Creek |
| 1842 | Thomas Farrell built a home on his 24 acre holding and lived there until 1855 |
| 1850 | The large colonial mansion 'Balgownie House' was completed and used to accommodate and entertain government officials |
| 1862 | Mount Pleasant Coal mine was opened by Patrick Lahiff and Benjamin Fawcett. |
| 1863 | The first rail line in the district was opened by the Mount Pleasant Coal Company. |
| 1873 | James Cram subdivided part of his 60 acre property into building lots, creating the first Balgownie residential subdivision named 'Cramsville". |
| 1883 | Balgownie Soccer club was formed. |
| 1884 | Methodist Church was built. |
| 1886 | Mining operations at Mount Pleasant had expanded and the mine opening was moved 1.6 kilometres north. |
| 1887 | The tramway was converted to locomotive haulage |
| 1889 | The auction of over 120 lots of Ryan's subdivision took place |
| 1889 | 10 April 1889. Balgownie Public School was opened. James Pearson was the schools first principal and he opened the school for lessons on Monday 29 April 1889. |
| 1889 | Mr Mooney opened a bakery which included a refreshment room and a confectionary shop |
| 1889 | Mr Lang using sandstone block from 'Balgownie House' built a house 400 yards south of the school. |
| 1889 | Episcopalian Church services were held in the Orpheus Hall |
| 1889 | The Post Office opened, the first Postmaster was Robert Edgar and the official address was 'Para Meadow' |
| 1890's | The 1890's saw a depression that was particularly hard on mining communities. Some collieries were suffering great losses and with reduced production some miners temporarily left their families to seek work elsewhere |
| 1890 | The Primitive Methodist Church erected a new church on ground at Mount Pleasant given by David Plunckett |
| 1900 | New School of Arts opened 7 July 1900 |
| 1904 | Balgownie Hotel opened |
| 1905 | A recovery of the coal industry occurred which meant an increase in the living standards of Balgownie residents |
| 1905 | Presbyterian Church opened 20 October 1905 |
| 1908 | Balgownie Hotel has an electric light plant installed |
| 1908 | St Aidens Episcoplaian Church opened 26 July 1908 |
| 1908 | New Roman Catholic Church opened 6 December 1908 |
| 1909 | Railway station name changed from 'Para Meadow' to 'Balgownie' |
| 1914 | New Mount Pleasant Road was put into trafficable condition to Balgownie |
| 1922 | Death of George Cram - one of Balgownie's pioneers |
| 1922 | Mount Kembla Coal Mining Company Ltd. Formed to take over Owens Balgownie Colliery |
| 1929 | Balgownie Fire Station officially opened 23 November 1929 |
| 1930 | War Memorial unveiled in Para Street 26 April 1930 |
| 1950's | Urban development of the locality and subsequent increase in population |
| 1953 | St Aidens new Church of England in Farrell Street replaces a weatherboard church |
| 1953 | New brick Uniting Church opened on land given by James Cram |
| 1955 | Balgownie Railway Station renamed Fairy Meadow |
| 1964 | The PMG threatened to change the name of the Post Office to Fairy Meadow. Balgownie residents stood their ground and the name Balgwownie remained |
| 1974 | The new Mater Dolorosa Church was built behind the existing church in Balfour Road |
| 1989 | The official opening of the Balgownie Public School Hall and Miner's Museum |
| 1989 | Neighborhood centre upgraded. |
| 1993 | Auction of Balgownie Village Estate 31 July 1993 |
| 1994 | 1994 Balgownie Rest Park renamed James Pearson Park in honour of the first School Headmaster |
| 2007 | Village Community Centre upgraded. |
.
.
.
.
.
.
Last Modified: 13/08/2008
Return to Top
See also
Community atlasCommunity profile
Illawarra Images
Illawarra index
Museums & Heritage Wollongong
Population forecasts
Tourism Wollongong
Weblinks - Local
Contact us
Local History Librarian
Phone:
4227 7418
Email:
Fax:
4227 7553
Visit us:
Level 1, 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Mail:
Locked Bag 8821, Wollongong, NSW 2500