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DescriptionTOURING FAIRFIELD - Map
Turn left into Oxford Street after leaving the Heritage Centre and then turn left
into Eton Street.
The original building at the Heritage Centre was the first purpose-built Council
Chambers for what was then the Municipality of Smithfield and Fairfield. John
Anthony was the Mayor of Smithfield and Fairfield when the building opened in
1913. The Anthony family operated a tannery in Smithfield and owned a lot of land in
the Smithfield and Fairfield area. Aldermen on the first Council, elected in 1889 were
FA Kenyon, D Dale, W Stimson, J Lackey, E Anthony, and T Downey. All were
significant landowners and had already been active in promoting the development of
their region. A notable instance was a campaign to have the Granville-Liverpool
railway line upgraded in preference to two alternatives which would have favoured
other localities.
Turn left into Stimson Street
John Anthony's house "Boronia" was conveniently located just around the corner
from the Council Chambers. The location of the Council building, outside the
Smithfield town centre, was probably a compromise. There was obviously some
rivalry between the localities of Smithfield and Fairfield and in 1920, Council voted to
move their chambers to Fairfield. "Smithfield" was dropped from the official name of
the municipality and, the decline of the once thriving township was sealed.
Meanwhile Fairfield grew into a thriving commercial centre, built around the railway
station and the nearby Council Chambers.
Turn right into The Horsley Drive
Until the late 1960s the land near Prospect Creek was occupied by vineyards,
orchards, market gardens and dairy farms. Vineyard Avenue on your left, followed
by Kaluna Avenue, are reminders of the fact that several successful vineyards
operated in the Fairfield district. Most of the wine makers were German or Italian or
from the Baltic states. Names like Stein, Lehmann, Beckhaus, Gava , Zani and
Serovich were on the local electoral roll in the late 1800s and descendants of most
of these families still live in the area. These migrant families bought smaller parcels
of land as the likes of Lackey, Anthony and Kenyon subdivided their large holdings.
Continue along The Horsley Drive and turn left into Kaluna Avenue. Continue
to the end of the street.
Kaluna Winery was established in 1887 by J.A.McLean. It was managed by
Ambrose Laraghy, who had served his apprenticeship with Doctor Lindeman,
founder of the famous Lindeman's Wines. Laraghy's son, Colin, bought the vineyard
in 1919. The Laraghy's continued to grow wine grapes and make wine there until
1957. Their Kaluna muscat (a sweet fortified wine) gained wide recognition for its
outstanding quality. Several unopened bottles reportedly still exist. The land was
subdivided in 1959. Some of the original winery buildings remain and are regarded
as the oldest industrial structures in Fairfield City These now house Valore Cellars
where an unusual range of wines and spirits is available. As you return to the corner
of Kaluna Avenue and The Horsley Drive you will see the former home of the
Laraghy family.
If you want to stretch your legs, it is possible to walk along the creek as far as
Fairfield High school. Passengers could arrange to meet their driver at the corner of
Crosby Crescent and Bray Street. Cyclists may prefer this route.
Return to The Horsley Drive and turn left.
The Horsley Drive has existed as such only since 1959 when the railway overpass
superseded the Vine Street level crossing. A series of streets were connected to
form a single road stretching from Lansdowne on the Hume Highway to the gates of
Horsley Homestead in the most westerly part of Fairfield City. Before this, the stretch
of road from the Cumberland Highway to Fairfield Railway Station was officially
called Smithfield Street, but the local people invariably referred to it as Smithfield
"Road".
Some points of interest as you travel towards Fairfield.
* A light railway, opened in October 1924, ran along The Horsley Drive from the
goods yard at Fairfield Station to Hassall Street, Smithfield and then across to
Widemere Quarry on Prospect Hill where Sydney and Suburban Blue Metal
Quarries had begun a new operation. Blue metal is still being extracted from
Prospect Hill but the railway line closed in 1945.
* The land between Polding Street and the Cumberland Highway, and from The
Horsley Drive extending well into the Municipality of Holroyd was accumulated
by an emancipated convict, Joseph Kenyon, during the 1820s. He named his
estate "Woodlands". His son became the first mayor of the Municipality of
Smithfield and Fairfield. The Loscoe estate was annexed from Woodlands in
the late 1800s and bought by Ernest Hedges, a merchant navy captain. He
subdivided and sold most of his land in 1913 but the original house, "Loscoe",
remained with the Hedges family until 1994 when it was sold and demolished.
* One of the streets in this little corner of Fairfield, Lawrence Street, recalls the
Lawrence brothers who ran a bus service from Smithfield to Fairfield (1918-
1925). During this time they converted from horse drawn to motorised
vehicles. The motor buses, which had solid rubber tyres were named after
race horses: Gloaming, Poitrell, Beauford, My One and Kenna Qahir.
Prior to his death in 1834, Captain John Horsley owned most of the land between
this point and Woodville Road. He named it Mark Lodge, and it was subsequently
purchased by Dr William Bland. After Bland died in 1869 the land was acquired by
John Hamilton, a land speculator who sold off the land in a series of subdivisions. It
was about this time that the name Fairiield came into use.
FAIRFIELD TOWN CENTRE
Fairfield today is a busy metropolis, rich in cultural diversity. It is worth exploring for
this reason alone. It is best to walk this section as it packs many interesting sites into
a small and busy area.
Continue along The Crescent to the Hamilton Road roundabout.
The Crescent was named circa 1920. The name is said to have been arrived at by
public competition but I have been unable to find confirmation of this point. The
Crescent Theatre, on the corner where The Crescent meets Court Road, was built
and furnished in the Art Deco style in 1934. It was advertised at the time as one of
the cosiest and most modern of suburban theatres.
The Vine Street level crossing was the main point of entry to Fairfield from the east
until it was replaced by the Horsley Drive railway overpass in 1959. A footbridge now
crosses the railway line where the level crossing used to be. Nearby, an old crane
still stands in its original location, marking the fact that the space now occupied by
the bus interchange used to be a busy goods yard moving timber and farm produce.
Three buildings opposite (starting with the White Elephant clothing discount store,
and running towards Smart Street) were built in 1892, 1914 and 1922 by the
Wheatley family who, along with the Stimsons, were the business pioneers of
Fairfield. The 1914 Central Building included upstairs rooms which were offered by
the Wheatley's for use as a public meeting space. These rooms served as
temporary Council Chambers when Council vacated its Smithfield premises in 1920.
On your left, Fairfield Station includes the oldest railway buildings in New South
Wales. The buildings on the eastern side of the line date back to 1856, just one year
after rail travel came to Sydney. Most previous buildings in the Sydney rail system
were temporary constructions. Local businessmen campaigned vigorously, and
successfully in 1886 for the railway line to be duplicated between Granville and
Liverpool. The two way line through Fairfield was preferred at the time to alternative
proposals for the construction of loop lines from St Peters to Liverpool and from
Hurstville to Campbelltown. The additional line was constructed in 1891-93.
After Smart Street on the right there is a series of more recent buildings but if you
look above street level, it is surprising to see how many of the Crescent's shop fronts
retain their original superstructure. Beyond Ware Street, Nash's Clothing and
Haberdashery Store was originally the Plaza Theatre. Rebuilt in 1927, it operated for
several more years before succumbing to competition from the newer Crescent
Theatre. The Naccachian family, who had originally migrated from Lebanon in 1927,
opened the haberdashery in 1956.
Turn right at the Hamilton Road roundabout, then right again into William
Street, right into Harris Street and return to the Crescent. Turn left into the
Crescent.
Note the 1924 Fire Station in William Street and, on the corner of William and Harris
Streets, the Methodist (now Uniting) Church built in 1928. As you round the corner
into Harris Street, you can still see the Gothic style pointed arch windows along the
side of the weatherboard church hall, built in 1894.
Next door is the Fairfield School of Arts, built circa 1895, with additions circa 1915.
The white stucco finish of the neo-Renaissance addition contrasted starkly with the
red-brown brick of the original building until renovations were carried out in 1988.
Turn left into Smart Street. Turn right into Nelson Street and go straight ahead
onto the Horsley Drive (stay in the left lane).
The Tip Top Bakery began as an amalgamation of smaller bakeries from Sydney's
western region. One of the local businesses to disappear into this 1950s venture
was Smee's Bakery of Smithfield.
The large trees to the right as you cross the railway overpass are the remains of the
gardens which once surrounded Cambridge House.
After crossing the railway line, turn left into Fairfield Road and come back
under The Horsley Drive.
The brick viaduct on your right was built in 1856 for the railway line and is still in use.
Beyond the viaduct, where a block of flats now stands, was Cambridge House.
Designed by Varney Parkes for William and Eliza Stimson, this unique Victorian
style building was regarded with great affection by Fairfield residents. The burning
and hasty demolition of this outstanding building in 1975 is still an emotive issue for
many local residents. Cambridge House was a building of major heritage
significance, not only for Fairfield, but for the whole of Sydney. Fortunately, some of
the trees and shrubs from the beautiful garden planted by the Stimsons remain, but
their presence serves only to reinforce the tragedy of the loss of Fairfield's favourite
landmark.
As you turn right into Dale Street you will cross Prospect Creek. The bridge was
originally known as Frenchman's Bridge after Huon de Kerilleau who had received
the original land grant in this vicinity. Later it became Dales Bridge and, despite an
apparent attempt in the 1920 to rename it the White Bridge, it is known as Dales
Bridge to this day.
Turn left on Vine Street. Leave Vine Street and turn right into the Leisure
Centre car park. Drive through the car park until you come to a left turn
(branch road). Follow the branch to the end.
At the point where Vine Street takes a bend to the left, you can see the gates to
Honour Avenue, a monument to Australians who fought in the Second World War,
1938-1945.
A short walk down the hill will bring you to Prospect Creek. Passengers may
choose to walk across the footbridge that crosses creek. Meanwhile the driver
returns to Vine Street, turning right and proceeds to Bland Street (turn right at
the roundabout). Turn right into Mitchell Street and right again into Haughton
Street to meet up with the pedestrians.
Originally, the footbridge was a suspension bridge known locally as "Swingy Bridge".
If youventure upstream, you will see a concrete weir. The weir was built in the late
1890s by Karl Konemann, formerly a German seaman, to prevent the salt waters of
the tidal creek from advancing beyond that point. Konemann needed to ensure a
regular supply of fresh water for the Woolwash that he operated nearby.
A short distance downstream was a popular swimming spot called "Sandy", where
the local swimming club staged a regular program of races until well into the 1950's.
To the right is the remains of the entrance to the van Heiden farm. Beyond the gate
posts is a pigeon loft and the ruins of a fountain. These remains are all we have left
as a reminder that this section of Prospect Creek once supported a series of small
farms and a thriving leisure industry.
A hundred metres or so upstream, and on the other side of the creek was Latty's
Boatshed and Pleasure Ground. Latty's was a popular destination for day trippers
from Central Station who were able to enjoy boating, swimming, fishing and other
diversions just ten minutes walk from Fairfield Railway Station. Fairfield's resort
status began in the late 1800s and continued until the late 1950s.
Walk back to Haughton Street, cross the road and take a short walk along
Atkins Avenue to Oakdeane Park.
The large tree known as the Bland Oak (quercus virginiana) was planted by William
Bland in the 1830s. In 1931, its trunk split during a storm and a lot of effort was put
into rescuing this link with the past. Bland, a ship's surgeon who was transported to
Australia for killing the ship's purser in a duel, served only a couple of months of his
seven year sentence before being released by Governor Macquarie to make proper
use of his qualifications. Bland was a colourful character who played a prominent
role in the early medical, political, and social life of the colony of New South Wales.
Along with Sir Henry Parkes, who lived in nearby Ganley Vale for a short time, he
was a member of the first Legislative Assembly of New South Wales.
Return to Mitchell Street, turning right, then left into Ruby Street. Continue on
to Sandal Crescent and under the Carramar railway bridge.
The railway bridge was a popular spot for young dare devils who used to dive from
the top of its superstructure into the creek. At this point, there was a deep hole which
was also a popular fishing spot.
Several German families who had migrated to Australia in the second half of the
nineteenth century had settled along this section of the creek developing small
orchards and vineyards.
Carramar Railway Station sits on the Regents Park line which was opened in 1924
and links Cabramatta with Lidcombe, bypassing Granville and Fairfield. The bypass
was necessary to relieve congestion at Granville as trains heading both north and
south stopped there. The Councils of Marrickville, Canterbury, Bankstown and
Liverpool argued strongly for access to the Great Southern Line should be through
Bankstown-Liverpool. Just as business interests in Fairfield-Cabramatta, had won
their campaign in 1886 for duplication of the Fairfield-Liverpool line, they were again
successful in gaining the Regents Park line.
Originally, one of the new stations was to be called Woodville after the former
Lackey property on which it was built, but this duplicated the name of a pre-existing
railway station in Queensland. The solution was simple. Reverse the syllables .....
hence, Villawood. When the line opened, Carramar was known as South Fairfield,
but this caused confusion because Fairfield was on a different line. In 1926 the
name was changed to Carramar, an Aboriginal word meaning "shade of trees".
The face of Carramar is changing, but it still has a certain old world quaintness.
Turn right into Wattle Street, Waterside Crescent and Quest Avenue. Turn right
into Carrawood Park opposite Bennett Street.
The Lansdowne Bridge was designed by David Lennox and built by convicts under
his direction. Construction work began in 1834 and the bridge was officially opened
in 1836. Refreshment rooms were built later, on the site now occupied by Sizzler's
Restaurant. Howard's Tea Room is still remembered by older residents. If you walk
down towards the creek you will see the old stairway leading down to the boat
landing. This provides a good vantage point for photographs of the bridge. Despite
its distance from the sea, Prospect Creek is tidal and appears to flow the wrong way
when the tide is coming in.
AuthorNew South Wales. Premier's DeptFairfield City CouncilMigration Heritage CentreTypePaperworkDate2001RightsFairfield City CouncilAcknowledgementNew South Wales. Premier's DeptMigration Heritage CentreNotes"Tune into Fairfield City- A Multicultural Driving tour" was launched in 2001 as a joint initiative between the NSW Heritage Group, NSW Premier's Department and Fairfield City Council. The tour comprises of 15 locations around the LGA ranging from places of worship to shopping town centres. The tour presented Fairfield City Council with a vehicle to enhance the social cohesiveness within the multicultural community and provided the community with a means to exchange and interact
Essentially the tour represents the multicultural aspect of the City, assists in promoting the LGA and helps to inform tour participants of the historic and cultural aspects of multicultural Fairfield.
Access open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public use.
Turn left into Oxford Street after leaving the Heritage Centre and then turn left
into Eton Street.
The original building at the Heritage Centre was the first purpose-built Council
Chambers for what was then the Municipality of Smithfield and Fairfield. John
Anthony was the Mayor of Smithfield and Fairfield when the building opened in
1913. The Anthony family operated a tannery in Smithfield and owned a lot of land in
the Smithfield and Fairfield area. Aldermen on the first Council, elected in 1889 were
FA Kenyon, D Dale, W Stimson, J Lackey, E Anthony, and T Downey. All were
significant landowners and had already been active in promoting the development of
their region. A notable instance was a campaign to have the Granville-Liverpool
railway line upgraded in preference to two alternatives which would have favoured
other localities.
Turn left into Stimson Street
John Anthony's house "Boronia" was conveniently located just around the corner
from the Council Chambers. The location of the Council building, outside the
Smithfield town centre, was probably a compromise. There was obviously some
rivalry between the localities of Smithfield and Fairfield and in 1920, Council voted to
move their chambers to Fairfield. "Smithfield" was dropped from the official name of
the municipality and, the decline of the once thriving township was sealed.
Meanwhile Fairfield grew into a thriving commercial centre, built around the railway
station and the nearby Council Chambers.
Turn right into The Horsley Drive
Until the late 1960s the land near Prospect Creek was occupied by vineyards,
orchards, market gardens and dairy farms. Vineyard Avenue on your left, followed
by Kaluna Avenue, are reminders of the fact that several successful vineyards
operated in the Fairfield district. Most of the wine makers were German or Italian or
from the Baltic states. Names like Stein, Lehmann, Beckhaus, Gava , Zani and
Serovich were on the local electoral roll in the late 1800s and descendants of most
of these families still live in the area. These migrant families bought smaller parcels
of land as the likes of Lackey, Anthony and Kenyon subdivided their large holdings.
Continue along The Horsley Drive and turn left into Kaluna Avenue. Continue
to the end of the street.
Kaluna Winery was established in 1887 by J.A.McLean. It was managed by
Ambrose Laraghy, who had served his apprenticeship with Doctor Lindeman,
founder of the famous Lindeman's Wines. Laraghy's son, Colin, bought the vineyard
in 1919. The Laraghy's continued to grow wine grapes and make wine there until
1957. Their Kaluna muscat (a sweet fortified wine) gained wide recognition for its
outstanding quality. Several unopened bottles reportedly still exist. The land was
subdivided in 1959. Some of the original winery buildings remain and are regarded
as the oldest industrial structures in Fairfield City These now house Valore Cellars
where an unusual range of wines and spirits is available. As you return to the corner
of Kaluna Avenue and The Horsley Drive you will see the former home of the
Laraghy family.
If you want to stretch your legs, it is possible to walk along the creek as far as
Fairfield High school. Passengers could arrange to meet their driver at the corner of
Crosby Crescent and Bray Street. Cyclists may prefer this route.
Return to The Horsley Drive and turn left.
The Horsley Drive has existed as such only since 1959 when the railway overpass
superseded the Vine Street level crossing. A series of streets were connected to
form a single road stretching from Lansdowne on the Hume Highway to the gates of
Horsley Homestead in the most westerly part of Fairfield City. Before this, the stretch
of road from the Cumberland Highway to Fairfield Railway Station was officially
called Smithfield Street, but the local people invariably referred to it as Smithfield
"Road".
Some points of interest as you travel towards Fairfield.
* A light railway, opened in October 1924, ran along The Horsley Drive from the
goods yard at Fairfield Station to Hassall Street, Smithfield and then across to
Widemere Quarry on Prospect Hill where Sydney and Suburban Blue Metal
Quarries had begun a new operation. Blue metal is still being extracted from
Prospect Hill but the railway line closed in 1945.
* The land between Polding Street and the Cumberland Highway, and from The
Horsley Drive extending well into the Municipality of Holroyd was accumulated
by an emancipated convict, Joseph Kenyon, during the 1820s. He named his
estate "Woodlands". His son became the first mayor of the Municipality of
Smithfield and Fairfield. The Loscoe estate was annexed from Woodlands in
the late 1800s and bought by Ernest Hedges, a merchant navy captain. He
subdivided and sold most of his land in 1913 but the original house, "Loscoe",
remained with the Hedges family until 1994 when it was sold and demolished.
* One of the streets in this little corner of Fairfield, Lawrence Street, recalls the
Lawrence brothers who ran a bus service from Smithfield to Fairfield (1918-
1925). During this time they converted from horse drawn to motorised
vehicles. The motor buses, which had solid rubber tyres were named after
race horses: Gloaming, Poitrell, Beauford, My One and Kenna Qahir.
Prior to his death in 1834, Captain John Horsley owned most of the land between
this point and Woodville Road. He named it Mark Lodge, and it was subsequently
purchased by Dr William Bland. After Bland died in 1869 the land was acquired by
John Hamilton, a land speculator who sold off the land in a series of subdivisions. It
was about this time that the name Fairiield came into use.
FAIRFIELD TOWN CENTRE
Fairfield today is a busy metropolis, rich in cultural diversity. It is worth exploring for
this reason alone. It is best to walk this section as it packs many interesting sites into
a small and busy area.
Continue along The Crescent to the Hamilton Road roundabout.
The Crescent was named circa 1920. The name is said to have been arrived at by
public competition but I have been unable to find confirmation of this point. The
Crescent Theatre, on the corner where The Crescent meets Court Road, was built
and furnished in the Art Deco style in 1934. It was advertised at the time as one of
the cosiest and most modern of suburban theatres.
The Vine Street level crossing was the main point of entry to Fairfield from the east
until it was replaced by the Horsley Drive railway overpass in 1959. A footbridge now
crosses the railway line where the level crossing used to be. Nearby, an old crane
still stands in its original location, marking the fact that the space now occupied by
the bus interchange used to be a busy goods yard moving timber and farm produce.
Three buildings opposite (starting with the White Elephant clothing discount store,
and running towards Smart Street) were built in 1892, 1914 and 1922 by the
Wheatley family who, along with the Stimsons, were the business pioneers of
Fairfield. The 1914 Central Building included upstairs rooms which were offered by
the Wheatley's for use as a public meeting space. These rooms served as
temporary Council Chambers when Council vacated its Smithfield premises in 1920.
On your left, Fairfield Station includes the oldest railway buildings in New South
Wales. The buildings on the eastern side of the line date back to 1856, just one year
after rail travel came to Sydney. Most previous buildings in the Sydney rail system
were temporary constructions. Local businessmen campaigned vigorously, and
successfully in 1886 for the railway line to be duplicated between Granville and
Liverpool. The two way line through Fairfield was preferred at the time to alternative
proposals for the construction of loop lines from St Peters to Liverpool and from
Hurstville to Campbelltown. The additional line was constructed in 1891-93.
After Smart Street on the right there is a series of more recent buildings but if you
look above street level, it is surprising to see how many of the Crescent's shop fronts
retain their original superstructure. Beyond Ware Street, Nash's Clothing and
Haberdashery Store was originally the Plaza Theatre. Rebuilt in 1927, it operated for
several more years before succumbing to competition from the newer Crescent
Theatre. The Naccachian family, who had originally migrated from Lebanon in 1927,
opened the haberdashery in 1956.
Turn right at the Hamilton Road roundabout, then right again into William
Street, right into Harris Street and return to the Crescent. Turn left into the
Crescent.
Note the 1924 Fire Station in William Street and, on the corner of William and Harris
Streets, the Methodist (now Uniting) Church built in 1928. As you round the corner
into Harris Street, you can still see the Gothic style pointed arch windows along the
side of the weatherboard church hall, built in 1894.
Next door is the Fairfield School of Arts, built circa 1895, with additions circa 1915.
The white stucco finish of the neo-Renaissance addition contrasted starkly with the
red-brown brick of the original building until renovations were carried out in 1988.
Turn left into Smart Street. Turn right into Nelson Street and go straight ahead
onto the Horsley Drive (stay in the left lane).
The Tip Top Bakery began as an amalgamation of smaller bakeries from Sydney's
western region. One of the local businesses to disappear into this 1950s venture
was Smee's Bakery of Smithfield.
The large trees to the right as you cross the railway overpass are the remains of the
gardens which once surrounded Cambridge House.
After crossing the railway line, turn left into Fairfield Road and come back
under The Horsley Drive.
The brick viaduct on your right was built in 1856 for the railway line and is still in use.
Beyond the viaduct, where a block of flats now stands, was Cambridge House.
Designed by Varney Parkes for William and Eliza Stimson, this unique Victorian
style building was regarded with great affection by Fairfield residents. The burning
and hasty demolition of this outstanding building in 1975 is still an emotive issue for
many local residents. Cambridge House was a building of major heritage
significance, not only for Fairfield, but for the whole of Sydney. Fortunately, some of
the trees and shrubs from the beautiful garden planted by the Stimsons remain, but
their presence serves only to reinforce the tragedy of the loss of Fairfield's favourite
landmark.
As you turn right into Dale Street you will cross Prospect Creek. The bridge was
originally known as Frenchman's Bridge after Huon de Kerilleau who had received
the original land grant in this vicinity. Later it became Dales Bridge and, despite an
apparent attempt in the 1920 to rename it the White Bridge, it is known as Dales
Bridge to this day.
Turn left on Vine Street. Leave Vine Street and turn right into the Leisure
Centre car park. Drive through the car park until you come to a left turn
(branch road). Follow the branch to the end.
At the point where Vine Street takes a bend to the left, you can see the gates to
Honour Avenue, a monument to Australians who fought in the Second World War,
1938-1945.
A short walk down the hill will bring you to Prospect Creek. Passengers may
choose to walk across the footbridge that crosses creek. Meanwhile the driver
returns to Vine Street, turning right and proceeds to Bland Street (turn right at
the roundabout). Turn right into Mitchell Street and right again into Haughton
Street to meet up with the pedestrians.
Originally, the footbridge was a suspension bridge known locally as "Swingy Bridge".
If youventure upstream, you will see a concrete weir. The weir was built in the late
1890s by Karl Konemann, formerly a German seaman, to prevent the salt waters of
the tidal creek from advancing beyond that point. Konemann needed to ensure a
regular supply of fresh water for the Woolwash that he operated nearby.
A short distance downstream was a popular swimming spot called "Sandy", where
the local swimming club staged a regular program of races until well into the 1950's.
To the right is the remains of the entrance to the van Heiden farm. Beyond the gate
posts is a pigeon loft and the ruins of a fountain. These remains are all we have left
as a reminder that this section of Prospect Creek once supported a series of small
farms and a thriving leisure industry.
A hundred metres or so upstream, and on the other side of the creek was Latty's
Boatshed and Pleasure Ground. Latty's was a popular destination for day trippers
from Central Station who were able to enjoy boating, swimming, fishing and other
diversions just ten minutes walk from Fairfield Railway Station. Fairfield's resort
status began in the late 1800s and continued until the late 1950s.
Walk back to Haughton Street, cross the road and take a short walk along
Atkins Avenue to Oakdeane Park.
The large tree known as the Bland Oak (quercus virginiana) was planted by William
Bland in the 1830s. In 1931, its trunk split during a storm and a lot of effort was put
into rescuing this link with the past. Bland, a ship's surgeon who was transported to
Australia for killing the ship's purser in a duel, served only a couple of months of his
seven year sentence before being released by Governor Macquarie to make proper
use of his qualifications. Bland was a colourful character who played a prominent
role in the early medical, political, and social life of the colony of New South Wales.
Along with Sir Henry Parkes, who lived in nearby Ganley Vale for a short time, he
was a member of the first Legislative Assembly of New South Wales.
Return to Mitchell Street, turning right, then left into Ruby Street. Continue on
to Sandal Crescent and under the Carramar railway bridge.
The railway bridge was a popular spot for young dare devils who used to dive from
the top of its superstructure into the creek. At this point, there was a deep hole which
was also a popular fishing spot.
Several German families who had migrated to Australia in the second half of the
nineteenth century had settled along this section of the creek developing small
orchards and vineyards.
Carramar Railway Station sits on the Regents Park line which was opened in 1924
and links Cabramatta with Lidcombe, bypassing Granville and Fairfield. The bypass
was necessary to relieve congestion at Granville as trains heading both north and
south stopped there. The Councils of Marrickville, Canterbury, Bankstown and
Liverpool argued strongly for access to the Great Southern Line should be through
Bankstown-Liverpool. Just as business interests in Fairfield-Cabramatta, had won
their campaign in 1886 for duplication of the Fairfield-Liverpool line, they were again
successful in gaining the Regents Park line.
Originally, one of the new stations was to be called Woodville after the former
Lackey property on which it was built, but this duplicated the name of a pre-existing
railway station in Queensland. The solution was simple. Reverse the syllables .....
hence, Villawood. When the line opened, Carramar was known as South Fairfield,
but this caused confusion because Fairfield was on a different line. In 1926 the
name was changed to Carramar, an Aboriginal word meaning "shade of trees".
The face of Carramar is changing, but it still has a certain old world quaintness.
Turn right into Wattle Street, Waterside Crescent and Quest Avenue. Turn right
into Carrawood Park opposite Bennett Street.
The Lansdowne Bridge was designed by David Lennox and built by convicts under
his direction. Construction work began in 1834 and the bridge was officially opened
in 1836. Refreshment rooms were built later, on the site now occupied by Sizzler's
Restaurant. Howard's Tea Room is still remembered by older residents. If you walk
down towards the creek you will see the old stairway leading down to the boat
landing. This provides a good vantage point for photographs of the bridge. Despite
its distance from the sea, Prospect Creek is tidal and appears to flow the wrong way
when the tide is coming in.
AuthorNew South Wales. Premier's DeptFairfield City CouncilMigration Heritage CentreTypePaperworkDate2001RightsFairfield City CouncilAcknowledgementNew South Wales. Premier's DeptMigration Heritage CentreNotes"Tune into Fairfield City- A Multicultural Driving tour" was launched in 2001 as a joint initiative between the NSW Heritage Group, NSW Premier's Department and Fairfield City Council. The tour comprises of 15 locations around the LGA ranging from places of worship to shopping town centres. The tour presented Fairfield City Council with a vehicle to enhance the social cohesiveness within the multicultural community and provided the community with a means to exchange and interact
Essentially the tour represents the multicultural aspect of the City, assists in promoting the LGA and helps to inform tour participants of the historic and cultural aspects of multicultural Fairfield.
Access open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public use.
Connections
Migration Heritage Centre, Tune in to Fairfield City : Map (2001). Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 10/02/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/4591