NSWMining
Charlestown
A coal company’s pit in Raspberry Gully called a town into being.
1876Coal company township lots auctioned
WHAT STARTED IT
With its Waratah mine nearly worked out, the Waratah Coal Company bought land to the south and in 1873 sank a shaft in Raspberry Gully, linked by its own railway to the company’s shoots at North Waratah. Beside the pit it laid out a township on the main road to Lake Macquarie.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Lots in ‘the new township known as Charlestown, at South Waratah’ were auctioned in April 1876, and a year later a reporter found comfortable houses and substantial businesses in a village that had ‘sprung up like a mushroom’. By 1879 it had a post office, three hotels, a school of arts and several stores; the colliery closed after the Second World War.
TURNING POINTS
1876Township allotments beside the pit are auctioned on 22 April, with a special train from Waratah for buyers.
1877Charlestown post office opens on 1 February, with mail brought on horseback from Newcastle.
1879Charlestown Public School opens with 68 pupils.
1883The township has a Mechanics’ Institute and two churches.
1979Charlestown Square shopping centre opens.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A busy commercial centre on the Pacific Highway with about 13,600 residents. The Charlestown Square shopping centre opened in 1979.