Historical information

Although Heidelberg was one of the first parts of the Port Phillip District to be settled, and became important and prestigious in the early years of the colony, its history has been largely neglected. The beauty and fertility of the land and its proximity to Melbourne quickly resulted in the establishment in the 1830s and 40s of large estates by wealthy gentlemen. A romantic spot, Heidelberg became popular with picnickers and later attracted an artists' colony. The character of the area then gradually changed as a distinct village community emerged, and market gardens began to flourish. Unlike some of the suburbs closer to Melbourne, Heidelberg eventually wilted under economic pressures from which it did not fully recover until the turn of the century. This book allows us within the larger contect of the colony's fortunes and misfortunes, the struggle of Heidelberg the suburb to be born " - flyleaf.
Contents: First land sales and subdivisions, gentlemen of Heidelberg and their estates and activities, infant rural community. golden fifties, decline and backwater, railway and land boom, a maturing community , the depression of the nineties.

Significance

This book was the first to focus on the area of Heidelberg and its context within the Port Phillip District and remains significant as a key secondary source for describing the history of the area. It is relevant to the contextual history of its neighbour the former Shire of Eltham and Shire of Nillumbik.

Physical description

Hardback. Includes illustrations and index, 219 p.

Inscriptions & markings

ISBN 0522840191