Where people lived
from 1790s and onwards
from 1790s and onwards
The first land grants in given by the government in 1794, were to officers in the army and navy, then later to early settlers and former convicts.
Information source: Pocket Oz Pocket Guide to Sydney (n.d)
Image A direct north general view of Sydney Cove, the chief British settlement in New South Wales as it appeared in 1794, being the 7th year from its establishment. Painted immediately from nature by T. Watling
In Lane Cove National Park you can find this cottage which was built in 1850s and once was surrounded by a beautiful garden and orchard. It originally had more rooms and a verandah. It was owned by William Baker and you can see the house when bushwalking.
This historic home in Lane Cove is the oldest surviving house from this period. It is a middle class home from the Victorian age.
The house was owned by the Brooks family. It is now preserved as a museum which can be visited.
In 1901, there were 301 dwellings with 2000 people living in Lane Cove.
This photo is of a house built in 1906. It was built for Australia's 7th prime minister, Billy Hughes. The house is now heritage listed.
Image: Kermadec, 1906 Lane Cove landmark. The photos of children - they didn't live in this house but show the types of clothes children wore at this time.
Thompson Family, Lane Cove, 1907
Garling Family, Lane Cove, 1911
After World War 1 (1918), there were subdivisions of land and much was provided for returning soldiers and those who served our country. The electric tram service linked Lane Cove, so it was easier for travel.
Image: 426 Mowbray Road, Lane Cove North
The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 also made the city more accessible. The population grew rapidly!
However, it was also the time of the Great Depression when there were not many jobs and many people became poor. Some homes in Lane Cove were squatters’ huts with no connection to sewer, electricity or gas. Some inside walls were made of paper while outside walls were just a single sheet of galvanised iron. Source Image
At this stage, most homes were single level houses. Lane Cove North had a lot of growth as land grants were given to those who served in World War 2 which ended in 1945.
The population had grown so much, that Lane Cove North became a separate suburb in 2006. Image Lane Cove Map 1895