An overview of its history follows here. The southern line was built in sections, opening to Goulburn in May For a time it was the only public building in the immediate area, being quiet farmland on the south side of the Wingecarribee River. The old South Argyle Road crossed the river at Bong Bong, passed through the area to Sutton Forest village about 10 km to the south, and connected to Berrima.
The next section would take it to Exeter. Sutton Forest Station was located 6km south of the viaduct. As steam engines would require water and coal at this point, it was decided to build a station as a supply stop. Spread across the area were three large rural estates, namely those of the Throsby, Hutchinson and Browley families. All stood to gain from having a town develop around the station and so, in anticipation of the railway, the first subdivisions were put up for sale in The new station was well situated for them.
By the time Sutton Forest Station opened, a settlement had already sprung up, catering at first to the needs of railway workers and their families who lived nearby in tents. Explore on a self-guided walking tour , past historic landmarks such as the Leighton Gardens and the Railway Overbridge.
Leighton Gardens is a beautiful oasis of greenery that blooms with tulips in September. Home to an array of thriving birdlife, the Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve is a gorgeous wetland perfect for birdwatching, walking and picnics. Set on a rolling property, take a tour of The Pines Pastoral , a acre Angus cattle farm. Home to boutique and craft shops, there is plenty to explore in Moss Vale. Hunter and Gatherer Collections sell beautiful homewares from around the world.
For fantastic local and international art, including painting, prints and jewellery, pay a visit to Made by Others opposite Leighton Gardens. You can also catch a train direct from Sydney on a 1hr 45min trip. Sleep in a part of local history at the Argyle Hotel , first built in , or the s-era cottage, Corelli Cottage. Accommodation Events Activities.
A visitor to the future site of Moss Vale in observed that there were five slab and bark structures and wheat being grown. The subdivision of land around the position of the prospective railway station began in At the time the only inhabitant in the immediate vicinity was Jeremy 'Jemmy' Moss, who was one of Charles Throsby's herdsmen.
It was from him that the town's name derives. In anticipation of the railway line the Moss Vale Hotel was erected in or Instead of following the route of the main road to Berrima the line terminated where Moss Vale now stands.
When the station was built it was called Sutton Forest while the post office, also established in , was called Moss Vale. The nascent township's first store also opened that year, the first school in , the first bank branch and newspaper in and a police station in The population increased from to between and The village prospered in the late s and s for a number of reasons: it lay on the road to Robertson, it grew as the main service centre for the dairying, market gardening, and sheep and cattle raising district, a railway line to Port Kembla was laid for the transportation of the area's stores of limestone, and, like other Southern Highlands town, it became a popular holiday resort when the trains enabled wealthy Sydneysiders to discover the beautiful scenery and healthy climate.
This trend was encouraged when Mrs Throsby removed to the original cottage of Throsby Park and leased the main homestead to the Governor of NSW, the Earl of Belmore, thus advertising the desirability of the location for tourists. The years from to saw churches built by the main denominations - Presbyterian , Anglican , Methodist and Catholic both - while the present post office building was erected Moss Vale was declared a municipality in There is a band rotunda.
In spring and autumn the trees in the park are spectacular. Further up Argyle St, on the western side of the road, is the old Dominican convent - an impressive building with a row of elm trees leading to the front portal which looks like it has been lifted out of rural France and placed in the middle of Moss Vale. It is now Aurora College. In recent years the convent has changed function a number of times.
Just past the convent turn right into Waite St Berrima Rd and on the first corner Browley St is the Anglican Church, built in the s but much altered. Turn left into Browley St and the Presbyterian Church is to the right It is open from Fridays to Sundays from It is an impressive colonial Georgian residence set on land granted to Dr Charles Throsby in in recognition of his pioneering work exploring and opening up the South Coast and Southern Highlands. Throsby built a cottage on the land in for his nephew as he preferred to remain at his home in Glenfield and had no children of his own.
The nephew, another Charles, and his wife Elizabeth built Throsby Park in Elizabeth was one of only four people not killed during a Maori attack on a cargo vessel in New Zealand in when she was two. The survivors were rescued by Alexander Berry, a friend of her father. She was only 16 when she married Charles. She bore him 17 children and lived to be Her great-great granddaughter still lives in the rear section of the residence and runs Throsby Park Riding School, which operates from the stables c.
Throsby Park is largely unchanged and retains much of the original furniture, cedar joinery and fittings.
0コメント