Significant moments in Campbelltown's history

Pre-1788

Before European settlement, the Campbelltown region was occupied by the Dharawal tribe. They ranged widely from La Perouse in the north to near Ulladulla in the south but especially Picton and along the Georges River, which provided a great source of food, water and shelter.

1788

Two bulls and four cows wander from the new colony in Sydney Cove and make their way across the Cook and Nepean Rivers. Some aboriginal cave paintings depict these animals.

1795

The small herd of cattle now numbering in the hundreds (estimates vary) are officially found by Governor Hunter in the area and he names the area Cowpastures.

1803

John Warby is appointed Government Herdsman. He lives in "Cowpasture hut" which stood near Elderslie, on the bank of the Nepean River.

1805

On instructions from Lord Camden, John Macarthur is granted 5000 acres of land in order to breed fine-wool sheep to export back to British factories. He chooses the Cowpastures site.

1816

• Appin Massacre
• James Meehan, deputy surveyor-general granted acres at Macquarie Fields
• John Warby builds Leumeah House.

1820

• Governor Lachlan Macquarie founds Campbell Town naming it after Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie (nee Campbell). Its limits are marked out as well as the sites for a church cemetery and school.
• During this decade, James Ruse experiments in the area with wheat crops.

1823

St Peter's Church(PDF, 379KB) opens. The only other buildings in the township are a few bark huts and a school house.

1824

• Thomas Acres dies at Cowpastures and is buried at St Peters Anglican Cemetery.

• Hume and Hovell leave from Hume's farm at Appin and set out for Port Phillip.

1825

• John Macarthur exports wool from nearby Camden.1826 George Frederick James Fisher found murdered in Local creek bed.
• Mail service to Campbelltown begins.
• Private buildings begin to appear between Allman and Broughton Streets.

1826

The Fisher's Ghost legend began in 1826 with the disappearance of our local farmer Fred Fisher.

1827

George Worrall hanged for Frederick Fisher's Murder.

1828

• First Post Office opened.
• First Doctor takes residence.
• First Superintendent of Local Police appointed.
• 1829 Campbelltown to Bong Bong coach service commenced.

1830

1830s saw the establishment of Campbelltown's first water supply, the Hurley Park reservoir and water tanks(PDF, 255KB).

1832

• Water reservoir built at the upper end of Dumaresq Street. An 'iron gang' was sent for the purpose under the command of Captain Allman.
• 1834 John Macarthur, agricultural pioneer, dies.
• 1835 First story of Fisher's Ghost published.
• Camden Park House completed.

1836

The windmill at the Mt Gilead property on Appin Road was built by Thomas Rose in 1836.

1837

• James Ruse, producer of rust free wheat, dies.
• 1838 Sydney - Liverpool - Campbelltown - Appin service commenced.

1840

• First Catholic school opened as St Patrick's School in the Quondong building (now known as the Campbelltown Visitor Information Centre).
• The industrial revolution came to Campbelltown in the 1840s with the opening of Laurence Kendall's monolithic steam-powered mill at the southern end of Campbelltown's main street. The remaining adjoining millhouse is now known as the old Fisher's Ghost Restaurant site(PDF, 227KB).

1841

• St John's Church opened.
• There are now 77 houses in a town of 16 streets.
• Glenalvon House is built by Michael Byrne.

1842

• Opening of Campbelltown court of petty sessions.
• 1848 Population: 541.

1851

Well known convict, explorer and pioneer John Warby dies.

1856

Two-thirds of the adult population can read and write.

1857

Railway line to Sydney begins service.

1858

Campbelltown railway station opened.

1860

• Grapes are grown in region
• The main street was lined with substantial stone buildings, the famous row of Georgian houses(PDF, 413KB) (although the road itself remained dirt, or mud).

1861

Population: 938.

1863

• Railway line continued to Picton
• The Menangle rail bridge(PDF, 216KB) constructed in 1863 is the oldest surviving bridge on the State Rail system and is of higher significance in the development of railway technology in the State.

1864

Rust hits wheat crops.

1866

• Population: 950.
• There are 17 hotels now in Campbelltown.

1874

• The Commercial Bank of Sydney(PDF, 204KB) (CBC Bank) our first bank is established.

• Mawson Park then known as the "Reserve for public recreation" is approved.

1875

Dairying begins at Mount Gilead.

1876

The first Campbelltown Public School opens situated in a paddock bounded by Lithgow, Lindesay and Dumaresq Streets, supported by John Kidd MP. Education had previously been borne by churches and small private academies.

1879

A Public meeting seeks to form a local council.

1880

• The Campbelltown Herald, our first newspaper is published.
• Wheat production falls.
• Cordial Factory operated in Queen Street.
• Canals and tunnels(PDF, 196KB) that support the Upper Nepean Scheme constructed alongside Campbelltown.

1881

• Population 688.
• 22 acres of land on Badgally Road were established as a State Nursery to supply, free of charge, trees, shrubs and seedlings to various institutions around the state.

1882

• A Tramway to Camden is opened.
• Campbelltown Council formed with the first council elected: First Mayor John Ahearn and first Town Clerk Tomas Jenner Winton.

1883

First public library.

1884

There was a major train crash at Campbelltown on 11 September 1884. A goods train was derailed as a result of a collision between two locomotives.

1886

Campbelltown Courthouse erected.

1888

Campbelltown connected to Nepean River Water supply.

1891

Fire station established, with 10 volunteers equipped with a manual hose reel and 1000 feet of hose.

1896

Ingleburn Municipal Council formed. The first Mayor of Ingleburn was Samuel George Barff.

1899

• Agricultural society is formed and put on 'The Campbelltown Show' on March 16 and 17.
• October 1899, the British Empire went to war against the Boers of South Africa. Among the Campbelltown volunteers were Private Michael Bourke, Lance Corporal Thomas Lees, and Private Charles Spooner who were all invalided home.

1900

Rose Payten wins the New South Wales singles tennis championship.

1901

Population 3000.

1905

School of Arts is opened.

1911

Population 1925.

1913

The telephone exchange opens.

1914

Menangle Park Racecourse officially opened, although racing had taken place there as early as the 1870s.

1915

There are 50 subscribers with a telephone between Menangle and Minto.

1918

Soldier settlement is commenced.

1919

Campbelltown Herald changes it's name to the Campbelltown News.

1920

We celebrated Campbelltown's centenary.

1921

Population: 2345.

1923

Department of Agriculture establishes veterinary research station at Glenfield.

Dairy Farmers cooperative Milk Co opened.

1924

Campbelltown connected to electricity: opened by Mayoress, Mrs C.N. Hannaford on the evening of 23 January 1924.

1926

A picture theatre is built.

1928

Campbelltown golf club is formed.

1931

Talking Pictures arrive at the Macquarie cinema.

1936

• An overbridge is built over Queen Street.

1938

• "The Green" is named Mawson Park after Dr. William Mawson on 8 January.

1939

• Campbelltown Council starts the first sewerage scheme.
• Ingleburn Weir is constructed between 6 March 1939 and 22 January 1940. The weir was constructed by local Fred Goodsell.

1946

Campbelltown Pre-School Kindergarten established.

1947

Population: 6995.

1948

Ingleburn and Campbelltown Municipal councils are amalgamated.

1949

A Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce was founded.

1950

Veterinary Laboratory established at Glenfield.

1953

The 'Campbelltown News' becomes 'the Campbelltown Ingleburn News'.

1954

• Population: 9690.
• Nepean River County Council electricity Authority formed to serve the area.

1955

• The first Council naturalisation ceremony held.
• Campbelltown High School established.

1956

The first Fisher's Ghost festival is held.

1957

• Proposal for the satellite town of Minto dropped by the NSW Government.
• Campbelltown golf course opened.

1959

• The historic cottages in Queen Street are preserved by a resolution of Campbelltown Council.
• The Campbelltown News office (Now Macarthur Advertiser) building is restored to the Georgian style.

1960

Campbelltown Ambulance Station is opened thanks to monies raised by the first four Fisher's Ghost Festivals.

1961

• Kath Whitten is elected as Campbelltown's first female mayor.
• Population 18701.

1962

• New Fire Station built in Broughton Street.
• Camden Railway closed.

1963

• Population 24000.

• Death of Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley during the Vietnam War. Awarded the Victorian Cross.

1964

Building our first high rise, the administration centre opened on Saturday 28 November 1964. It was easily the highest building in the town and was seen kilometres around Campbelltown. Mayor Fraser at the time called it "a symbol of our faith in the future".

1967

• Campbelltown Olympic pool is opened on Saturday 11 March, and at the time, the only nine-lane pool in NSW (now known as The Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic Centre)
• Tuesday 8 August 1967 Campbelltown had just experienced an astounding 17cm of rain. Heavy winds blew down trees and a number of narrow escapes were reported.

1968

• Campbelltown is declared a city.
• The railway to Sydney is electrified.

1970-1979

• 1970 Our 150th anniversary is celebrated.
• The historic building of Glenalvon is renovated.
• The Campbelltown New City Development board is formed by the State Planning Authority to draw up the "Three cities Plan (Campbelltown-Camden-Appin)".

1971

New City Library opened.

1972

Three Cities plan released.

1973

• The first of a number of large scale housing commission projects are built. The first is at Macquarie Fields. It is developed kilometres away from rail and has little infrastructure.
• Second Olympic Pool at Macquarie Fields.
• Freeway opens: the first 9.8km long section of the F5 from The Cross Roads to Raby Road was opened to traffic on 26 October 1973.

1974

• Four man delegation visits Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand to observe and plan a possible submission from Campbelltown to host in either 1982 or 1986.
• Population est: 43000
• Campbelltown City Rugby League Club officially opened.

1975

• Glenquarie Shopping Centre opens.
• First Fisher's Ghost Fun Run held on Sunday 2 November, 1975.

1976

The Macarthur Growth Centre budget is cut to $2 million, reputedly cut from an earmarked $41 million. According to the government of the day this was to return Campbelltown to a "natural growth".

1977

Campbelltown Hospital officially opened by Premier Neville Wran on 1 October 1977.

1978

The 2CT Macarthur radio station opens.

1979

• Fourteen men killed in the Appin mine disaster.
• Macarthur Square officially opens on Monday 10 September 1979.
• Hurlstone Agricultural High School accepts female students.

1980

The intersection of Queen Street and Lithgow is paved.

1981

• Twin Cinema opens.
• Campbelltown College of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) opens.

1983

• The Newtown Jets play out of Orana Park , Campbelltown but last only one season before being cut from the premiership.
• Blairmount Public School opens.

1984

• Campbelltown Mall opens.
• Queen Street, between the historical Georgian buildings and the mall is closed to traffic.
• April, Campbelltown becomes a sister city to the Japanese city of Koshigaya and established Koshigaya Park.

1986

• Campbelltown Hospital's Maternity unit opens.
• The suburb Glen Alpine is launched by Lend Lease.

1987

• Western Suburbs Magpies make their home ground at Orana Park in Leumeah.
• Former long standing Town Clerk Harley Daley dies.

1988

• Campbelltown Bicentennial Art Gallery Opens.
• Mount Annan Botanic Garden opens.

1989

The Macarthur Institute of Higher education becomes the University of Western Sydney.

1990

• The Greater Union 9 cinema complex is opened at Macarthur Square.
• July 1990, Premier Nick Greiner officially opens Bow Bowing Estate, established by Long Homes and planned to incorporate 350 homes.

1991

• Macarthur Floods: 300mm of rain in 48 hours.
• Local MP John Kerrin appointed federal treasurer.

1992

• Scenic Hills given boundary to protect it from development (Scenic Protection Zone).
• Retirement of former mayor Gordon Fetterplace.

1993

• O'Hare's Creek declared a reserve.
• Eagle Vale Leisure Centre opens.

1994

• Koala habitat successfully saved from developers.
• Catholic Cemetery vandalised. Headstones of James and Elizabeth Ruse moved to Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society.

1995

Former Miss Spirit of Campbelltown Caroline Byrne murdered.

1996

• Population est: 143,773
• Trial of suspected Backpacker murderer Ivan Milat begins at Campbelltown and lasts 15 weeks.

2000

Olympic torch relay passes through Campbelltown.

2001

• Population est: 145,860.
• Policeman Jim Affleck killed on Hume Highway whilst on traffic duty.

2003

Park Central development begins.

2005

• Macquarie Fields riots.
• Wests Tigers win the NRL premiership.

2006

• Population est: 146,538.
• Lawyer, John Marsden dies.

2008

• Former mayor Gordon Fetterplace dies.
• Local philanthropist, Ron Moore dies.
• A newly constructed Menangle Park raceway is opened with a 1400 metre circuit - the longest in Australia.

2009

• Rosemeadow riots.
• The new Ingleburn Library and Community Centre opens.

2010

Menangle Park Raceway (TABCORP Park) becomes a premier NSW Harness racing centre when Harold park closes.

2011

• Population: 151,173
• Former mayor, Greg Percival dies. First elected to Campbelltown Council in 1956 he became mayor 1960-61.

2012

Dharawal National Park declared.

2013

Coal seam gas mining banned in Campbelltown State Government.

2014

Construction begins on Narellan Road Upgrade Stage 1 2014.

2015

• Local Historian Stella Vernon dies.
• Population est: 158,941
• Lindy Deitz becomes the first female General Manager of Campbelltown City Council.
• $240 million redevelopment of Macarthur Square announced.
• The Kangaroo March re-enactment completes its journey from Wagga Wagga to Campbelltown.

2016

• Population est: 160,041
• Former Mayor, Bryce Regan, instrumental in forging our sister city relationship with Koshigaya, dies.
• Publication of Anzacs of Macarthur : the men and women who served in the First World War by L.E. Hokin.

2018

• Winterland Festival (Now ChillFest) is first held

2019

• Billabong Parkland project announced.

2020

• Campbelltown 2020 recognises 200 years since Campbelltown was declared a township by Lachlan Macquarie and the more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal history in the area.
• A time capsule was buried during a ceremony on Tuesday 1 December in honour of the official 200 year anniversary of the declaration of Campbelltown and will be opened in the community in 100 years.
• The Campbelltown 2020 Yarning Circle officially opened in Koshigaya Park on Wednesday 16 December 2020 featuring a series of artworks and carvings depicting the lyrebird. Other features include a series of sandstone rocks, bush tucker tree plantings and messaging in Dharawal language.

2021

• Macarthur Football Club's inaugural season 2020/21
• ChillFest begins.  
• Population: 176,519

2023

• St Peter's Anglican Church celebrates it's bicentennial. 
• Population: 184,784

2024

• Campbelltown Billabong Parklands Opens
• GenesisCare opens as part of the Macarthur Health Precinct
• Wests Leagues Club celebrates 50th anniversary