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.
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.
‘Ducks’ and ‘alligators’ in Maitland’s floods
The amphibious ‘ducks’ and ‘alligators’ used in the flood of 1955 were not ideally suited to the tasks they took on, but they made important contributions and became legendary nevertheless.
Origins and development of the Ambulance Service in Maitland
The Maitland Ambulance Station was founded in 1924 in High St, later being moved to Rutherford. Its early development was based on public subscriptions, not government funding.
Maitland, circa 1830
By 1830 the convict farming settlement of Wallis Plains had become a small town. Development was beginning in East Maitland and Morpeth as well, and the Hunter Valley had been opened up for commercial farming.
Those magnificent men and their cycling machines
Bicycle racing, organised by the Maitland Bicycle Club, was once popular as it was in other parts of Australia. It attracted substantial crowds to cheer on the race participants.