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.
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Maitland: ‘Hub of the Hunter’ and ‘Capital of the North’ in the mid-1800s
For decades, Maitland was, for the north of the colony of New South Wales, the principal centre of commerce and industry apart from Sydney. It was patronised from hundreds of kilometres away.
A dignitary’s death and funeral, 1893
In the nineteenth century, the funerals of important public figure were significant occasions. This was very much the case with Richard Young, the sitting Mayor of West Maitland at the time of his death.
John Gillies, mayor and MP
John Gillies was for two years the Mayor of West Maitland and became for 20 years a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, known best for his promotion of the interests of Maitland.
Dr R J Pierce, loved nineteenth century medico
Robert Pierce was a Dublin-born doctor who practised medicine In the Hunter Valley for several years. After his death a fountain was erected in High St in his memory.
‘The Cut’ that severed the Horseshoe Bend meander in 1893
‘The Cut’ to sever the Horseshoe Bend meander in 1893 began as a man-made project but a flood completed the job. The project was welcomed in West Maitland but not by everybody downstream.