NSWFarming
Rooty Hill
Before the suburb, the hill was a government cattle station on the road west.
1802Government stock run reserved
WHAT STARTED IT
Governor King reserved land around the Rooty Hill in 1802 as one of four government stock runs, a reserve food supply for a colony prone to crop failure. Macquarie described it as the next most important station after Camden, on the Great Western Road about 10 miles from Parramatta.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The railway was extended five miles from Blacktown and opened to Rooty Hill in December 1861. A village grew around the station, and residents laid the foundation stone of a brick School of Arts near the platform in 1902.
TURNING POINTS
1802Governor King reserves a large stock run that takes in the Rooty Hill.
1810sMacquarie adds a two-storey brick superintendent’s house, grazing paddocks and huts for 20 stockkeepers.
1861The Great Western Railway opens from Blacktown to Rooty Hill.
1902The foundation stone of the Rooty Hill School of Arts is laid near the railway station.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A Blacktown City suburb of about 16,000 people. The grassy hill that gave it its name survives as a heritage-listed park.