History of the Northern Towns
Brief history of the various northern towns and villages in Southern Highlands.
Brief History of the Northern Towns
In 1867, when the Railway opened, there were no stations in the country between Picton and Mittagong but some settlements had gradually developed along the rail line so platforms were opened in Balmoral, Hilltop, Colo Vale and Braemar. During 1916 the owner of the Waratah Estate at Hill Top donated a block of land for the purpose of building a church hall. On the 30th August 1947 a Soldiers Memorial Hall was opened. In July 1950 electricity was turned on and a new school was opened in August 1952 to replace the old one. In 1954 Hill Top had 61 houses and a population of 151.
Colo is to be a native name that is used for a hill formed by a flow of igneous rock. James Kiernan purchased a section of land in 1837, which he called "Colo", and the name is also used for the land parish. In the early 1860's selections were taken up there because the soil formed by the decomposition of the volcanic rock was rich. The Anglican Church was erected in 1884. The subdivision of the Colo Vale Township was put up for sale in March 1889. At this time the settlement consisted of a butchers shop and store. In August 1911 a new school was opened. English immigrants took up land at Colo Vale in 1923 for the purpose of poultry farming and during this year men earned a living by charcoal burning. In 1954 Colo Vale had 44 dwellings and a population of 149.
Braemar was named after a local residence, which was later, used as a boarding house. In 1954 Braemar had 37 dwellings and a population of 121.
In 1919 when the deviation between Picton and Mittagong opened new stations were opened in Yerrinbool and Alymerton. The Nattai Shire was responsible for the reservation of 80 acres at Yerrinbool. A portion of this was placed on sale in October when 42 lots of the Southern Road were sold from £1 to £2/12/- per foot, as well as land in Sunrise Road. In 1920 more land sold from 10/- to 21/- per foot. On the 20th August 1922 a school was opened and 30 children were enrolled. In March 1938 a hall, which was built by voluntary labour, was opened and a new school was erected in 1914. In 1921 a store near the station was opened and a sawmill was erected.
In 1954 Alymerton had 27 dwellings and a population of 105 with Yerrinbool having 50 dwellings and a population of 150.
For more information of the History of individual towns, select a town below
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Tulip Time
25 September 2008
to 08 October 2008