Fri, 12th Sept, 2014 Camden (history walk)

Clouds this morning so back into the long pants and jumpers. Headed into Camden to walk the Historical Building trail. Very interesting. The booklet provided information and an old and current photo of each building. 

Steve found some more dodgy gasfitting on this gas meter!!!

St Paul’s Catholic Church built 1859.

Some of the old gutters still exist.

Mitchell House built 1880s.

Beautiful Camellias.

Bransby’s Cottage built abt 1842 – Camden’s oldest building.

Edithville commenced operation in 1899 as a community hospital.

Love the old houses everywhere.

Nepean House built about 1857.

Miss Davies’ Dairy now the Town Farm. 54 hectare area used as a dairy back in the 19^th century and some Chinese market gardening. Llewella Davies owned it from 1905 and bequeathed it to the Camden Council and now volunteers keep it working as a farm.

Found a brand new Nissan Ultima – what they race in the V8s.

Court House from 1841.

 Original Camden Police Station built in 1878.

 Fire Station, Library and Museum were the original School of Arts building

 Unusual sculpture chairs made out of stainless steel and wood.

 Marcaria was once at Grammar School.

 A drinking trough to commemorate when water was turned on to the town.

Interesting memorial to the teamsters who transported the silver from the big mines (where the dam is now).

Camden Cottage built about 1840s.

National Australia Bank opened in 1878.

Camden Post Office operated from 1841.

The Show Hall was the Military Drill Hall built in 1894. Angelina Jolie made a movie here in March and had the whole of the showgrounds area blocked off from spectators.

Drove out to Menangle to where mum’s brother, Uncle Wal is living at Durham Retirement Village. He has a lovely villa and is very comfortable with plenty of things to do.

This is Aunty Val’s father’s Scottish Military uniform – still in great condition.

After lunch went up to St James' Anglican Church, Menangle which was lovely. Shame we can’t go inside.

Headed back to Camden but saw a sign for Burragorang Lookout so decided to check it out. Unfortunately they don’t have more signs or a kilometre so we drove on but after going through a few little towns gave up. Found out later at the Museum that it is 20km out of town and is over the Dam. Will check it out another day.

Back to Camden to St John’s Anglican Church and a few more buildings.

Macarthur’s Park was lovely and the roses are starting to grow leaves.

 War Memorial area in the park.

 All the blooms are coming out.

Old Milk Depot started in 1926.

Reeves House was erected in 1889.

The Museum was very interesting and the chap there told us about Macarthur’s families involvement in Camden.

I wondered how the name “Cowpastures” came about – not just the cows that were there now.

He also mentioned the building used in “A Place to Call Home” is called Camelot and is between Camden and Narellan so will have a look tomorrow. The land was originally John Oxley’s Kirkhan Mill but another chap, James White, received it when John went back to England. James built “Camelot” from the winnings of his racehorse, Chester who won the Melbourne Cup in 1877 and is buried in the paddock across from the house.

Back to the van to warm up with a cuppa. Quiet night though Steve getting frustrated that with all these channels he can't find anything to watch!!