History of Beecroft

Shire of Hornsby Location: 22 kilometres north-west of Sydney at the junction of Beecroft Road and Pennant Hills Road, on the Main Northern Line

Although land grants in the area were made as early as 1799, Beecroft, like many suburbs, owes its origin to the coming of the railway line, in this case from Strathfield to Hornsby. On 17 September 1886 the section of the line passing through this area was declared open. Sir Henry Copeland, the minister of lands who had a survey done of the area for residential purposes in 1886, decided to name the new suburb Beecroft, the maiden name of his wives, Hannah and Mary (two sisters whom he married in succession). Their Christian names were also given to two streets running parallel to the main road.

Coincidentally a Mr W. Abra, of the Italian Bee Company, which imported bees, came from Parramatta to Beecroft in 1889, and established a bee farm. He eventually built the first house in Malton Road. Legend has it that the suburb was named Beecroft because of this farm, but this is incorrect.

In the 1890s part of the area was subdivided and some splendid homes with gardens, and sometimes an orchard, were built. One notable sale was to Judge Fitzhardinge, who purchased five blocks and erected a residence at Red Hill. The cost for the total purchase was £451.

Beecroft's development was slow and gentle, and many of the families who went there intermarried. It was not unusual for their descendants to also settle in the suburb. A local Joker once said it wasn't wise to talk about anyone on the local bus, because one of their relations would always be sitting in the scat behind!

The first Church of England service was held in 1889 in the home of Mrs Hull, on the corner of Beecroft Road and Kirkharn Street, Frederick Mason offered his borne for the first Methodist services in 1893, and the early Presbyterian services were held in the School of Arts.

A non-official post office opened on 20 August 1895, and the public school followed in April 1897. It was a real bush school in its bushland setting, alive with many varieties of birds. The general store opposite the school was built with hitching posts for riders and buggy drivers coming in for their supplies. The small building at the rear of the store, later used for grain storage, had at one time been consecrated for conducting church services. The original School of Arts, founded in 1904, was the scene of many early local activities, and it is still standing.

The names of many early settlers include L. J. "Squire" Nathan, who initiated a boys club in 1915; George Sargent, of meat-pie fame; the Seale family ; Andrew Fuller, the public school's first teacher; and two familiar local identities, Robert Dunn and his horse Peggy, who kept the streets swept and immaculate.

Today Beecroft retains its residential character, although modern shopping arcades and boutiques have been built.

Reference: The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled & Edited by Frances Pollon, published by Angus & Robertson Publishers 1988