Part Two of a four-part series
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THE Great Southern Railway opened from Picton to Mittagong in 1867, traversing the rugged ridge above the Bargo Brush area.
Mid-way along the section of line, at Big Hill Lower Siding, a station opened on April 15, 1878, later named Balmoral.
Here an extra locomotive was attached to haul trains for 4.8 kilometres up the steep cutting to an Upper Siding, where a station opened on April 5, 1878, later named Hill Top. This activity required the presence of extra railway workers.
A private village took shape around each station where landowners offered sub-divisions. The designation 'private village' applied, as opposed to a Government village which was surveyed and laid out by the Crown.
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The Upper village, located at Hill Top Station, was initially known as Jellore. Its history will be provided later in this series.
The name of the Lower Siding's station was changed in 1880 to Bargo, it being then the nearest station to the Bargo Brush area, which lay a few miles to the east. Perhaps it caused confusion, or locals did not welcome its bushranger connotations, for in 1888 the station's name was changed to Balmoral.
It is said a naming competition was held locally, the winner being the name of the forest and castle of Balmoral at Braemar, Scotland, which had been purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria.
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At an elevation of 1500 feet, Balmoral was described as a most attractive health retreat, with unrivalled views, clear, bracing air, sheltered in winter and only a short train journey from Sydney. It had well-drained soil, capable of growing the finest fruits.
Already in 1886 the Department of Public Instruction had been petitioned to establish a school there.
Nine children there were attending Hill Top School which had opened in 1883. Another six children plus four at Buxton would attend a new school.
The request was rejected as it would reduce Hill Top School enrolment and quite possibly close it. All but one of the applicants were railway fettlers and therefore not regarded as permanent settlers.
COUNTRY RETREAT: The guesthouse Truro at Balmoral was built in late 1880s, pictured here in 1950s. Photo: Courtesy Janine King, Balmoral
In June 1888 James Patterson, the stationmaster at the then renamed Balmoral Station, renewed the application for a school. Around 20 children were attending a private school operated by young Emily and Amy Harry at Truro, a residence which also operated as a guesthouse, conveniently located near the railway station.
THE Truro guesthouse was popular with city visitors for the beauty of its surroundings and its fine service.
Built by Henry Harry in the late 1880s, it is a substantial 10-roomed Victorian residence of sandstock brick with open verandahs on three sides, dressed with cast-iron lace.
Born in Cornwall, England, Harry came to Sydney and did well as a merchant. With his wife Esther, two daughters and a son, he moved permanently to Balmoral in 1887 after purchasing 122 acres from the selection of local man John Blatch.
In September 1888 Harry offered 147 sub-divided blocks of land for auction, most being country residence sites, with some larger lots suitable for orchards. The take-up was slow, most likely due to depressed economic conditions, but Harry persevered. In November 1889, in partnership with investor Samuel Bensusan, sub-divisions of an expanded Truro Estate (204 acres) were advertised for sale.
A Post Office opened at Balmoral Station on January 1, 1890. From 1913 it was at The Elms, from 1948 at The Lodge and from 1953 to 1960 at Truro.
In October 1891 the Sydney Morning Herald reported that "the first annual banquet in connection with the Balmoral Progress Committee was held at Truro.
The president of the committee, Mr H Harry, occupied the chair." The company included William McCourt and John Kidd, both members of the NSW Legislative Assembly, and a lively political discussion took place.
Balmoral was described in the Scrutineer of September 20, 1892 as a picturesque little place, 65 miles out of Sydney, with the principal homestead, Truro House, being a well-known haunt of visitors from the metropolis. Residents of Sydney owned other substantial buildings close by and constantly visited from the city.
The Scrutineer also stated that "While the rugged nature of the country precludes farming pursuits, it provides the best scenery on the Southern Line, and the bush is a perfect garden of the best native flowers including the queenly waratah. Several orchards have been planted and are thriving apace".
Henry Harry died in 1893, aged 58 years, and is buried at Rowe's Hill Cemetery, Lower Mittagong. Truro was sold, subsequently had a succession of owners, and still stands today.
To be continued
This article compiled by PHILIP MORTON is sourced from the archives of Berrima District Historical & Family History Society, Bowral Rd, Mittagong. Phone 4872 2169. Email bdhsarchives@gmail.com Web: berrimadistricthistoricalsociety.org.au
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