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.

Chas Keys 17/5/25 Chas Keys 17/5/25

The Falls: first river crossing point at Maitland

Crossing the Hunter River from Wallis Plains (the site of today’s Maitland) in the early years of European settlement was no easy matter. In most places the river was deeper than it now is, and its silty, sandy, shifting bed made it difficult for horses, bullocks, wagons and drays to get purchase except at a few locations.

Chas Keys 14/10/22 Chas Keys 14/10/22

The Long Bridges

An overview of the succession of Long Bridges in Maitland’s history, and concerns that the current one will be compromised as an evacuation route in the event of a severe flood.

Chas Keys 12/6/22 Chas Keys 12/6/22

Port of Maitland

The location and development of the Port of Maitland.

Lawrence Henderson 12/6/22 Lawrence Henderson 12/6/22

The railway that never was

There were a number of proposals and plans for the Great Northern Railway to go through Wollombi. These were not realised.

Lawrence Henderson 1/6/22 Lawrence Henderson 1/6/22

The railway extends 1863-1932

Part 8 of Lawrence Henderson’s account of the building of the Great Northern Railway.