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Welcome to Crookwell

Boasting snow dusted winters with warm cosy fires, autumns ablaze with colour, spring blooms galore and mild and sunny summers, Crookwell is nestled high on the Great Dividing Range and has a town population of 2641 (2016) but serves a much wider area of prime farmland. The first inhabitants of this area were people of the Wiradjuri Nation. Crookwell is believed to have been originally named after Crookhall in County Durham, UK. It is said that Crookhall spoken quickly by locals sounded as “Crook’ll” and this was mistakenly written down as “Crookwell” by early surveyors. The name Crookwell was officially adopted for the town in 1885.

Stephensons Mill

Opened in 1871 with great celebration and ceremony. 250 people came to see the newly built flour mill which was operated during the opening to demonstrate the steam engine. Stephenson's Mill functioned as a flour mill until the end of the 19th century.

Commercial Hotel (The Horse and Hound)

Edward Stephenson built the hotel, obtained the licence and began trading as the Commercial Hotel in 1871, where the present Court House stands. In 1874 the hotel began trading across the road in its present location. In 1931 the Commercial Hotel was rebuilt by Sam McCloskey. The hotel had a change of name in 1996-1997 to the Horse and Hound.

The Police Station

Troopers were stationed in Binda from the 1840s and the first constable was not appointed in Crookwell until the early 1870s as armed hold ups increased across the district. Crookwell petitioned for a police station in 1869 however it was not until 1878 that a court, watch house and lockup was completed (now the Police Residence). The courtroom proved inadequate by the late 1880s and plans were commenced for the current Court complex which included a new police station in the left hand wing.

The Court House

The historic Court House and Lands Office was constructed by William Pearman to the designs of Government Architect Walter L. Vernon. Built in the Victorian Free Classical Style, it was opened in 1891. The Court House is still in operation on demand. The original court house located on the corner of Roberts and Goulburn Streets now serves as the Police Residence.

Mill House Hotel (The Royal Hotel - Spud Murphy's Inn)

This hotel was first established in 1873 and initially named The Mill House Hotel. In 1884, licensee Charles Harvey completely rebuilt the hotel, adding another floor. In 1890 he changed the name to The Royal Hotel. In 2003, new owners Barry and Denielle Murphy changed the name to Spud Murphy's Inn and although it no longer has a publican's licence, the old hotel still offers accommodation to visitors to Crookwell.

Pat Cullen Reserve - Kiamma Creek

The Kiamma Creek walking track runs from Laggan Road along Kiamma Creek to Saleyards Road. The reserve is maintained by the dedicated volunteers of Kiamma Creek Landcare Group. With a diverse selection of trees, murals, sculptures, abundant aquatic life and wide walkway, the park like reserve is a delight to visitors and locals alike. Platypus, Rakali and rare water birds have been seen here, so keep a look out and you might see something special on your walk through the area!

Crookwell Railway Station

Crookwell is a significant surviving pioneer terminus station and yard with most elements intact from the date of opening in 1902, including the 60 foot cast iron William Sellars Turntable which was used to turn the steam locomotives. The complex is the best surviving of its type in NSW and is heritage listed. Trains carried both passengers and freight (mostly potatoes, livestock and superphosphate). Local iron ore was also loaded and transported from here in World War 2. The last train ran in March 1984 and the line was decommissioned in 1989, but officially remains as "disused" and not "closed". The site is maintained as a museum by the dedicated volunteers of the Goulburn Crookwell Railway Group.

Crookwell Community Garden

The Crookwell Community Garden is an initiative of the Crookwell Progress Association and the Crookwell Neighbourhood Centre. With support from local council and community groups, the gardens are being developed to provide a green oasis where residents can meet, grow fresh produce, and share skills and knowledge. The gardens host regular workshops on a range of environmentally friendly gardening, social inclusion and sustainable small scale food production themes, including composting, constructing wicking beds, worm farming, fruit tree grafting, permaculture and gardening for bees.

Crookwell War Memorial

The Crookwell War Memorial and Memorial Park commemorate members of the local community who have served in armed conflicts. It consists of several structures that have been developed over a period of time. Once a fenced park, the original gate pillars, inscribed with the names of the fallen from the Boer War, WW1 and WW2, were installed in 1925 but have since been relocated to the south eastern boundary. The new shrine with its brass cross was unveiled on 29th March, 2003. The park is host to Anzac Day and Australia Day ceremonies.

Country Women's Association Rooms

The Crookwell CWA was established in 1922 and was the first branch of the CWA to be established in NSW. Initially set up to address the hardships experienced by rural women and families, the CWA provided enormous support to new mothers in the region, raising money to fund a staffed Baby Health Clinic. When war broke out, the CWA put their skills to work, making Anzac biscuits and comfort packs for the troops, camouflage nets from rope, sewed vests, spun wool and knitted socks from the wool of local sheep. The CWA remains active to this day, with the original hall being a key community focal point.

Montrose (Private Hospital 1923 to 1930)

Please note that Montrose is now a private residence. 1n 1922 a licence was approved for an eight bed (Medical, Surgical and Lying-In) private hospital at Montrose. Matron Florence Tulloh was the licensee and opened the hospital in 1923. The hospital dealt with general as well as maternity cases. It closed in 1930 when Matron Tulloh moved to Harley Private Hospital. In her time in Crookwell (1919 to 1946), Matron Tulloh is known to have delivered or been present at the birth of at least 2318 babies.

Shire Chambers

The local Crookwell Shire Council was formed on 26th February, 1902. The present building was built in 1912 at a cost of 996 pounds. A large cement water trough, now used as a flower bed, stands at the front of the Shire Chambers. Until the end of the Second World War, horses were the main means of transport. With animal welfare their main objective, the Bill family generously donated a large sum of money for the manufacture of these water troughs, which were distributed to many regional towns across NSW.

The Bank House

Originally operating as Pitty's General Store, the Bank of NSW purchased the building in 1876 and established the first bank branch in Crookwell. This facilitated ordinary business transactions, the cashing of cheques for locals and the circulation of silver. The building was rebuilt in 1914 and included a bank manager's residence.

Tattersall's Hotel (Star Hotel/Crookwell Hotel Motel)

Originally opened as the Tattersall's Hotel in 1877, the name changed to the Star Hotel around 1879-1880 and then later became known as The Hotel Crookwell. During the Second World War (1939 - 1945) there was an observation post built on the roof that was manned 24 hours a day by volunteers to report on all aircraft over the area.

Crown Theatre

The Baxter brothers Sid and Bert built the Crown Theatre in 1926 after buying the rights to silent moving films in Crookwell in 1915. Seating up to 900 people, pictures were initially screened twice weekly, and in 1948 four pictures were screened each week. The Crown Theatre is now a popular family run restaurant with a large indoor children's play area.

Ambulance and Fire Station

Crookwell District Ambulance Service was inaugurated in 1940 as a branch of the Goulburn Ambulance Service. A group of volunteer officers and drivers operated the service, supported by a strong Ladies Ambulance Auxilliary. Prior to the advent of the Ambulance Service, the sick and injured were conveyed to hospital by sulkies and buggies. Flood waters, heavy rain and snow made road conditions difficult for many call outs. The Ambulance Service operated in the same building as the Fire Station.

Primitive Methodist Church (Crookwell Services Club)

Built of stone to seat 120 people, the Primitive Methodist Church was opened in 1871 and was in use until 1901. In 1939 the church was extended and transformed into what was first known as the Crookwell Returned Sailors and Soldiers Club. Note the original building behind the front facade. In 1944 the name of the club was changed to the Crookwell Services Club.

Omagh Private Maternity Hospital

Omagh is now a private residence. Omagh was a Private Maternity Hospital from 1910 to 1915 and the licensee was the much loved and well respected midwife Mary (Minnie Siggs).

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

This stone church with its fine fretwork was opened in 1882 at a cost of 300 pounds. The church was built on this elevated site overlooking the town of the day. Except for the replacement of the shingles with galvanized iron in the 1920s, St Andrew's Church remains unaltered to this day.

St Mary's School

The Sisters of Mercy Catholic School was originally built beside the St Mary's Convent in 1903. In 1912 the St Mary's Model School was opened across the road and the Infants School (St Joseph's) was built in 1929. The current school site was opened in 1948 and has served many generations of families in the area.

St Mary's Church, Presbytery and Convent

St Mary's Church was opened in 1891. The church was completely destroyed by fire in 1958, leaving only the stonework. The church was re-opened in 1959 with its Australian Colonial themed stained glass windows. St Mary's Presbytery was built in 1877. Originally a one storey building, the newer two storey Presbytery was built in 1918.

Crookwell District Hospital

The original, single storey, cottage hospital to the right, was built in 1906 and opened in 1907, starting initially as a 5 bed hospital. The newer section to the left was completed in 1955. The hospital is an 18 bed community acute care facility with a 2 bed emergency department open 24/7. The hospital offers a variety of allied health and community nursing services as well as a Wellness Centre.

Crookwell Public School

Opening in 1865, the school operated in various privately owned locations. In 1873 the government purchased two acres of land (present location) and in 1874 the first school building was constructed out of stone and rubble. This building was demolished in 1897 and replaced with the current administration building. From 1944 to 1967 secondary students attended the school and it became known during this time as the Crookwell District Rural School. In 2015 Crookwell Public School celebrated 150 years of public education.

Masonic Temple and Hall

The Masonic Temple and Hall were built in 1908, with restoration completed in 1927

Temperance Hall (Memorial Centre)

An organisation known as the Sons of Temperance was formed in 1878 and held meetings in the old Temperance Hall which was built in 1889. The front entrance to the complex utilises the original building, which has been expanded and modified over the years. Today the building houses the Crookwell Library, Crookwell and District Historical Society, Crookwell and District Art Gallery and the Crookwell Memorial Hall. It is also host to productions by Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society and the Lambert Karate Dojo, plus sees regular use for major local events.

St Bartholomew's Anglican Church

The first Church of England was situated in this position. Built in 1866, the church became too small and in 1904 a new St Bartholomew's was built. Both of these churches were demolished and replaced by the current church in 1969. The church rectory was designed by E C Manfred. The church is home to the largest digital pipe organ in the Southern Hemisphere.

Methodist Manse (ES&A Bank/ANZ Bank/SMR Accountants)

The original structure (the Methodist Manse) was built in 1881. The new front was added in 1926 and the building became the E.S & A Bank, then later the ANZ Bank. The new brick parsonage was built in Robertson Street behind the church the same year.

Wesleyan Church (Methodist Church/Wesleyan Uniting Church)

Opened in March 1866, this church was built as the Wesleyan Church which later became the Methodist Church and then the Wesleyan Uniting Church as it is today. This was the first church and the first building to be built in the township of Crookwell.

The Criterion Hotel

Sitting on land that was once the old cricket ground, the Criterion Hotel was built by Francis Gilmartin in 1890. At that time, the hotel was so far from the centre of town that locals said it would never succeed. As part of their services, hotels in Crookwell provided a horse bus to and from the railway station after this opened, much like today's shuttle service. The Harvey family bought the hotel in 1904 and Mrs Harvey celebrated 50 years of service at the Criterion in 1954.

Crookwell Post Office

Crookwell Post Office opened in 1867 in rented premises. George Gordon was the postmaster and Thomas Wade was the contractor for Carriage of Mail once a week. This increased to twice a week in 1870 and in 1875 mail delivery increased to three times a week. In the winter months poor road conditions and weather delayed the arrival of mail. Residents petitioned in 1883 for an official Post Office which was opened on the present site in 1890 at a cost of 1000 pounds.

Welcome to Gunning

The earliest people on the land here were the Pajong People “Fish River Tribe”. European settlement began in 1821. Shortly after, in 1824 Hamilton Hume and William Hovell led an exploration party from the area to find new grazing lands and chart river flows to the south. Hume owned a property at Fish River, east of Gunning. The district boasts four distinct seasons and a heritage rich in agriculture. Merino sheep were introduced in the 1820s and Gunning remains a major centre of fine wool production not only in Australia, but worldwide. Gunning’s buildings present a fascinating sequence of architectural styles and subsequent modifications from the 1800s onwards.

Gunning Post Office

Early communication between the outside world and Gunning was by horse and bullock over the Cullerin Range to Gunning's east. The Telegraph reached Gunning in 1858 and the railway in 1875. The first part of the post office and telegraph building was completed in 1881. The front (Yass Street) extension to the building was constructed in 1908 when the public telephone was installed. The telephone exchange opened in 1914 and the trunk line between Gunning and Yass began in 1916.

Bailey's Garage

The facade of the building built in 1920 features fine painted brickwork that celebrates a time when Gunning was a major transport centre. The painted wall of Holden Cars through the years has long been a popular tourist attraction.

Coronation Theatre (Picture House Gallery and Bookshop)

The Coronation Theatre was built in 1937 at the time of the coronation of King George VI. It replaced a building known as Victoria House, a big stone and brick building that was a shop with an adjoining residence.

London House

The large brick building with the arched coach entrance built in 1881 is known as London House. The London House department store however pre-dated 1881 and was trading in the grey granite building behind and to the side of the brick archway. For many years London House was the main general store in Gunning, where it was said you could buy anything from a needle to an anchor. In its early history London House was a hotel known as Skelly's Inn. Now it is home to the Merino Cafe and Sophera Audio Equipment. The small building adjoining London House was for many years the home of an auctioneer, a barber and a saddler.

Telegraph Hotel

The Telegraph Hotel celebrates the arrival of the telegraph in Gunning in 1858. The ground floor is much older than 1916, which was the date of the construction of its second story. There is a very fine pressed metal ceiling in the public bar. The area behind the Telegraph Hotel had sale yards where cattle and sheep were sold for many years.

Gunning Motel

The Gunning Motel is on the land where the White Hart Hotel, one of Gunning's most famous hotels, once stood. Gunning's freezing works established during the 1890s for the rabbit trade, was also located in this vicinity.

Barbour Park

Barbour Park was named in honour of a doctor who served in the district for 50 years, as well as holding the position of Shire President. Community groups have contributed to the amenities and the plantings have been extended to form a walk on the northern side in recent years.

Gunning Rural Supplies

Between Meadow Creek at Barbour Park and the new Gunning Rural Supplies there were many buildings that are no longer standing, including a blacksmith and a wheelwright, Moore and Baker' Garage, Lawton's Produce Shop and the auctioneers and commission agents Sands and Emery. The Gunning Rural Supplies modern building continues Gunning's tradition of establishing new architecture with each new generation. The building is modern although architecturally compatible with the other double storey buildings on this side of Yass Street, Caxton House and Saxby House.

Caxton House and Caxton Cottage

Caxton House and Caxton Cottage are now a private residence. The first building in this heritage precinct, 81 Yass Street, is the old shop on land originally purchased by William Pursehouse at the first land sales on 13th September, 1838. Caxton House and Caxton Cottage were originally on one property. Caxton House has been a hotel, a bank from 1877 to 1881, a stock and station agent's office, A J Newman's Soft Drink Factory and Caxton House Restaurant from 1985 to 1995. It's large two storey verandah was built in the 1920s to replace the 1860s iron balconies.

Saxby House

Saxby House is now a private residence. Saxby House was originally a single storey triple brick building, constructed in 1860. The second storey was added in the 1920s and the verandah in the 1980s. Gunning's first electricity source, a DC plant, was located on land now occupied by Saxby House's garage.

Gunning Court House

The Court House was built in two stages, in 1872 as a police station and in 1879 the fine late Victorian government building that faces Yass Street. The latest cases were heard in 1979 and the Court House is now a community centre housing the Gunning District Community and Health Service. The Court Room in the centre front is used for special events and arts events such as chamber music and art exhibitions. the Court Room is open for inspection monthly during the Gunning Lions Markets on the last Sunday of each month.

The Old Banks

The two storey art deco building at the western corner of Yass and Warrataw Streets was the bank building built in the 1930s to replace the late Victorian bank (next door along Yass Street). The old single storey late Victorian bank building on Yass Street, next door to the art deco building, was the first purpose built bank in Gunning, opened in 1881.

Pye Cottage Museum

Pye Cottage was built in Dalton in about 1860. It was given to the Gunning and District Historical Society in 1970 by the Pye Family and moved to the current site in 1974. The Pye Cottage Museum celebrates Gunning's pioneering past and was officially opened on 28th September, 1974 by the Reverend Ray Diver.

The Shire Council Precinct

The precinct consists of three separate office buildings, built in 1915, 1971 and 1998 and a depot. Gunning Shire Council was established in 1906 and abolished on 11th February, 2004, when Gunning and the northern part of Gunning Shire became part of the Upper Lachlan Shire.

Gunning Public School

The first school was built in 1871, originally including the teacher's residence. The school rooms were built in approximately 1920. The milestone outside the public school showing the distance in miles to Goulburn and Yass is accurate and reminds us of the days when the Hume Highway from Sydney to Melbourne passed directly through Gunning, until the town was bypassed in 1993.

The Old Saddlery

Originally built as a blacksmith and wheelwright's enterprise, the front of the building was later used as a saddlery and then became Gunning Peerless Printer. Another of the uses was as a branch of the Commonwealth Bank

Gunning Library

The Gunning Library was built in 1924 by public subscription, to commemorate Hume and Hovell's momentous journey to Westernport Bay in 1824.

Gunning Railway Station

The Station Master's Residence is now a private residence. Following the arrival of the railway in 1875, the town experienced a boom period as Gunning became a terminal for products moving to and from Sydney. The goods were then distributed by dray as far as the Riverina area. The single line required a turntable and pumping station at Fish River to the north of the town.

The Cenotaph

The proposal for this Cenotaph erected in 1923 was championed by Ernest Plews and it was officially dedicated by Brigadier (later Major-General) Sir Granville Ryrie. People from the Gunning district who served and volunteered during the World Wars have their names recorded. The Vietnam War claimed the life of Private Barry Thompson, who was awarded a military funeral, the first held in Gunning.

The Memorial Gates

Previously these gates formed a nearby entrance to the showgrounds, but their 10 ft (3 m) width was apparently too small for some drivers who were unable to negotiate the space without causing damage. After many repairs they were moved to their current location, with new plaques added to the flanking piers and rededicated on 11th November, 1991.

Memorial Grove

The trees in Memorial Grove were planted in 1956 and plaques dedicated to the fallen of the district were placed at their bases. In 2001 the Grove was refurbished with roses, rosemary bushes and benches. The remaining plaques were fixed into the plinth near the Gates. Plaques for service personnel originally from the district, who died from war related causes and who were buried or cremated elsewhere are also present.

Field Artillery Gun

Originally a 17 pound field artillery gun stood in Barbour Park. In 1996 the 23rd Field Artillery Regiment swapped that gun for the one seen here, which is a 25 pound field artillery gun.

Boer War Memorial

This memorial to Denis Joseph Murray was erected by his friends. Denis died of typhoid in South Africa in 1901 while serving in the Boer War. His family were from nearby Oolong. There is a gravestone in the Catholic Cemetery bearing his name. Other memories of local men and women who served in war can be seen among the gravestones of the Gunning General Cemetery on Wombat Street and the Catholic Cemetery on Collector Road.

Welcome to Taralga

The charming village of Taralga was originally planned for workers on the Macarthur estate of ‘Richlands’. John Macarthur’s sons received land grants in the district in the early 1820s and convict labour was used to shepherd the sheep and clear the land. The population of Taralga has fluctuated over time reflecting the town’s fortunes – from approximately 100 residents in 1863 to over 700 by the 1890s with the gold rush. The origin of the name Taralga is disputed. One theory is that the village was originally known as “Trial Gang” as, within the early colonial boundaries of Argyle Country, it was where convicts and bushrangers were tried before the Crown. Buildings from the 1860s to the 1890s were built from stones and rocks gathered locally rather than quarried. The result is an architectural style somewhere between Georgian and Victorian, with larger windows and grander constructions than settlers enjoyed in other parts of the country.

Former Royal Hotel

Built in the 1860s, with John McCormack the original licensee. In 1914, William Lang purchased the property for his town house. Two Miss Norths lived there, one conducting a boarding house, the other a seamstress. In 1917, Dr Ettie Lyons rented part of the building before acquiring the whole house in 1927. Dr Lyons was the first female GP in the Southern Tablelands. She attained a Bachelor of Arts in 1903 and a Bachelor of Medicine in 1908, both from the University of Sydney. The building sits behind a Lombardy poplar tree, part of an avenue that was planted c. 1945 by Taralga Public School students.

Taralga Public School

Built in 1843 by convict labour as the former residence of the Macarthur’s sheep overseer, Thomas Denning. Opened as a National School with 16 students in 1857 under Master Rich. Due to shortage of numbers it quickly closed, reopening again later in 1858, becoming a Public School in 1867. The current school was built in 1927 when the old schoolroom became part of the Orchard Street residence.

Taralga Historical Society Museum

Former Methodist Church. Opened in 1868. Used for many years before the congregation lapsed and the building fell into disrepair. In 1950, the Church was repaired and reopened. About 10 years later, the congregation again diminished and the Church again fell into disrepair. Locals interested in preserving the history of the village formed the Taralga Historical Society and obtained the old church for its headquarters in 1972. The church is now the Taralga Historical Society’s Museum, one of the best regional experiences of its kind.

Taralga School of Arts

Built in 1908 for £112 with a substantial donation from the Goulburn Library. Country Women’s Association (CWA) meetings were held here from 1948 to 1958.

Taralga Memorial Hall

War memorials and halls, erected throughout Australia following World War I and II, were conscious statements of participation, grief and nationalism. Taralga’s Hall, opened in 1957, was constructed by Mulwaree Shire Council and funded by a levy on rates. The foundation stone was laid by Governor General of Australia, the Rt Hon. Sir William McKell GCMG, QC, in 1952.

Bank of NSW Building

The 1938 purpose built-Bank of NSW building, with its bomb-proof safe room, is typical of banking establishments built in NSW. The complex comprised a bank and residence. The name “Bank of New South Wales” was changed to “Westpac Bank” in 1982. Westpac closed the Taralga Branch in 1991. The Bank has been restored and can be viewed by appointment.

Former Centennial Stores

Built by Murdock McKay in 1880. In the 1900s, it was known as Centennial Stores with Alfred Butler the owner and storekeeper. In 1912, F.G. Louden was the storekeeper and it was known as The Louden Stores. In 1916, Goodhew Bros bought the store. George & Sid Goodhew, then later Greg Goodhew, ran it as Goodhew Bros. Stores, also known as The Premier Stores, until 1971. It was later a mini mart and then a tea room, named as The Tuffet. In 1999, the store and home were purchased by Ray Goodhew and it was then known as the Goodhew Centre.

Formally Colin McKenzie's Saddlery

Built mid-1920s for Colin McKenzie as a Saddlery. Cecil Mooney then lived there and had a butcher shop, operated by Frank Byrne. A number of butchers followed.

Post & Telegraph Office

The Post Master General approved the erection of a stone building, instead of the initially recommended weatherboard structure, on Justice Department land in 1891. The buildings were completed in 1897. The Post Office was purchased by Upper Lachlan Shire Council in 2005. The building represents the expansion of postal and telegraphic services to Taralga and district.

Former Courthouse & Police Office

Constructed in 1879, the building is unusual for a courthouse of the period owing to its simple design and lack of auxiliary flanking structures. Besides petty session sittings, the rounds court was held here every three months. It closed in 1969 as there was not enough work to keep it open – a credit to the law-abiding people of Taralga!

Bears Repairs, formally Holt's Garage

Sid Holt originally started his motor repairs business in a shed, working at night with a kerosene lamp. In 1935, Sid and his father built the current garage. He installed a charcoal-fired railway engine to supply electricity for the garage. A short time later he connected electricity to his house, and eventually at the townspeople’s request to the town, thus becoming the owner and operator of the first electricity plant in Taralga. During World War II, Taralga’s air raid siren was located on top of the garage, and Sid had to turn the siren on and the town’s power off so it was in black out. The garage was named Bears Repairs by subsequent-owner Bruce McGregor. The garage closed in 2014.

Taralga Hotel

Davis Bros. built the then-Richlands Hotel in 1863 for Martin Tynan. Cecil Mooney bought the hotel in 1934 and it became known as Mooney’s Hotel or the Taralga Hotel. The Hotel has been bought and sold many times since then.

26 Orchard Street

Built in 1876 by the publican, Martin Tynan, as a home. It became the Telegraph and Post Office in 1881, before these moved to the current Post Office site.

Lilac Cottage B&B

Built by Henry Best Whiting: Miss Bradsworth had a shop and Mrs Moore a chemist shop. Then Charlie Alders had tea rooms and room to let. There was a large block behind the house where visitors to town parked their horses and sulkies.

30 Orchard Street

Thomas Moloney built this two storey building, c. 1880, using the bottom storey for his storekeeping and bakery business. The store later became Miss Croke’s Tearooms and Mary Moloney sold sweets before it was converted to a butchers shop. Butchers included James Moloney, Harry Herbert & Jack Croke.

32 Orchard Street

The Bank of New South Wales temporarily occupied this building from 1924 – 38. Later this building was the Farmers & Graziers Office.

Formerly the Taralga Bakery

The Bakery operated from 1916 with seven different owners with the last owner, Ken Robertson, purchasing it in 1948.

Goodhew Park

Located on land donated by the Goodhew family, a family name synonymous with the history of Taralga and district, descending from Sergeant Goodhew, the first police officer stationed in Taralga.

Anglican Rectory

The building was erected in 1888 and initially included an elegant iron-lace balcony. The two southern rooms were Bank of NSW offices from 1894 – 1924. It then became the Store of W.H. Whiting, quite a significant concern for its time, with a shop downstairs and a gallery upstairs selling haberdashery. It was a boarding house when the railway was being built. It was renovated in 1978 to remove the balcony.

St Luke's Anglican Church

The original Church was a wooden building. The current St Luke’s Church, built of locally quarried blue stone, was built physically over the original church, which was then dissembled. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Macarthur-Onslow in 1906. The Church was designed by E.C. Manfred. The church still bears the original shingle roof albeit now covered by lichen.

The Argyle Inn

The oldest continuously trading hotel in Taralga. Built in 1870 in the Victorian tradition, it was licensed in 1875. In mid-2016, two local farm owners restored the inn uncovering features that had been hidden, like the double fireplace in The Well Room, which once housed the kitchen. The Inn re-opened in November 2017 and has won numerous accolades.

Universal Books & Old Wares

Built in 1934 for Cecil Dawson by Charles Cooley. Originally a men’s hairdresser and billiard room. It also sold furniture, drapery and crockery.

Anglican Rectory

Completed in 1881 at a cost of £1,300, £300 over-budget. It took nearly 24 years to clear the debt. The architect was E.C. Manfred and the builder Gibson Cranston.

Restored slab cottage

Believed to be the last slab cottage built in Taralga, the cottage was built by Joseph Clack in 1895. He lived in the back hut whilst he built the main one. When the current owner bought the property in 2013 he was unaware of the slab hut which had become completely hidden by trees and scrub. He has since lovingly restored the buildings and grounds.

St Stephen's Presbyterian Church

The land was given to the Church by John McLean. Building commenced in 1947 with the foundation stone laid in 1953. The Church was opened and dedicated in 1954 by the moderator of the Canberra Presbytery.

CRT Taralga Rural Supplies

William Bradbury opened a produce store in the 1920s. In 1946, Bill’s son Cole returned from World War II and purchased a second hand army truck for carting wool, stock, potatoes, fuel, sand and gravel. The building once housed a roller skating rink and speech hall!

Catholic Presbytery

Built and opened in 1928.

Church of Christ the King

Designed by Sydney Smith of Ogg & Serpell, built in 1934 by R. M. Bowcock. The Church was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2004 as an example of intact Inter-War Romanesque Church and for having been financially supported by an Irish-Catholic rural community following a period of severe economic depression. The terracotta cartwheel style 'Rose Window' set above the porch was bought to Taralga by rail embedded in a tray of sand. The marble altar was quarried at Wombeyan Caves and is of a cream grain called 'Wombeyan Rose'.

St Joseph's Convent and Sacred Heart School

Built and opened in 1928. When government support of denominational schools was withdrawn at the end of 1882, the Taralga community voted unanimously to have a community of Sisters in their town to take over the running of their school.

Former Police Residence

Originally designed as the Lockup Residence. It was built c1885 for Sergeant George Goodhew who was stationed at Taralga for 23 years, during which time five of his eight children were born. When he retired in 1915, he was the longest serving officer in the NSW Police Force.

Former Commercial Hotel

Built in 1860. It operated as a hotel from 1867 to late 1800s, then as a boarding house, before becoming a private residence.

Former St Ignatius Church Catholic Complex

Building for St. Ignatius Church began in 1864 and was completed in 1865. The old convent and school were also built around this time. The School opened in 1870 with thirty six children attending. Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in 1885. The nuns moved to the new convent in 1929.

Former Whiting's Store

Built in 1867 as a residence and general store combined for Joseph Whiting, the first shopkeeper in Taralga. This was the first two storey building built in Taralga. Macarthur Street at this time was Taralga’s main thoroughfare.

Cottage of Edward Denning

Built in 1872. The Denning’s were beneficiaries of the system devised by the Macarthur’s to assure a supply of loyal and skilled labour for their holdings. Edward was the son of Thomas and Martha Denning. Thomas' parents were transported convicts, and 'old servants' of the Macarthur’s. Thomas was trained in wool handling at Camden Park and then appointed stock overseer for the Argyle estate. Martha had been recruited from a Dorset village and assisted to migrate by Macarthur agents. There was a tanning pit in the adjacent paddock.

Poundkeepers' Residence (Taralga's oldest existing house)

Built c.1840, this is the oldest existing building in Taralga. By 1843, Taralga consisted of two houses, an orchard and one small area of land cleared and sown to wheat. The occupiers were Thomas Denning, and Duncan Rankin, the Public Pound Keeper.

1900's slab cottage

Built mid-1920s by J.T. Menzies so his children could go to school.

Former Presbyterian Manse

Built in the 1880s.

Old Presbyterian Church

St. Mary’s opened 1861. Later Rev. F.H. Druery realised the need for a larger church so he closed St. Mary’s and opened St. Stephen’s in Bunnaby Street in 1954.

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