On this page members of the Maitland and District Historical Society are sharing their research into a variety of aspects of the history of our locality. New stories will be added as they become available.
Use search to find stories about the person, place, topic or keyword you are interested in.
George Yeomans, entrepreneur of early Maitland
George Yeomans was an important figure in the early Wallis Plains. He was an explorer and developed many commercial interests in the Maitland area and elsewhere.
The telephone comes to Maitland
Business houses were the first to take up the telephone when it made its appearance in Maitland in 1884. Penetration to residential dwellings was slow, taking decades to accomplish.
Pharmacies in High St during the 1950s and 1960s
Pharmacies have existed in Maitland’s High St since the 1830s. One, at 455 High St, operated continuously though under various ownerships from 1889 to about 1978.
Maitland’s steam trams
Maitland’s steam trams linked East Maitland and West Maitland. They were a source of community pride but were never really economically viable and lasted less than 20 years.
The Chinese gardeners of Maitland
Chinese market gardeners were an important part of the Maitland agricultural scene for more than 40 years from the late 1860s.