Edgeworth, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edgeworth Greater Newcastle, New South Wales
Edgeworth Location in the Hunter-Central Coast Region
Population	6,401 (2021 census)
• Density	941/km2 (2,440/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2285
Elevation	10 m (33 ft)
Area	6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi)
Location	18 km (11 mi) W of Newcastle 146 km (91 mi) N of Sydney 30 km (19 mi) SE of Maitland 64 km (40 mi) N of The Entrance 76 km (47 mi) N of Gosford
LGA(s)	City of Lake Macquarie
Parish	Teralba
State electorate(s)	Cessnock
Federal Division(s)	Hunter
Suburbs around Edgeworth: Holmesville Cameron Park Elermore Vale Barnsley Edgeworth Glendale Teralba West Wallsend Argenton

Edgeworth is a suburb in the Greater Newcastle area of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the City of Lake Macquarie. Edgeworth is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Newcastle's main city center.

History of Edgeworth

Early History: Aboriginal People

The land where Edgeworth is today was traditionally home to the Awabakal people. They lived here for thousands of years.

How Edgeworth Got Its Name

From Cocked Hat Creek to Edgeworth

In the 1870s, this area was first known as Cocked Hat Creek. Later, in 1885, its name changed to Young Wallsend. A colliery (a coal mine) called the Young Wallsend Coal Company opened here in 1890. This mine stopped working in the early 1900s. The site was cleared in 1992 to build new houses.

First Buildings and Services

The Traveller's Rest Hotel opened in the 1890s. Today, it is known as the Edgeworth Tavern. The first post office in the area started in February 1891. Young Wallsend School, now called Edgeworth Public School, opened in April 1891. The house where the school teacher lived is now a protected historical building.

Life in the Early 1900s

Churches and Trams

St Ann's Church was built in 1910 on Main Road. It was later moved or taken down after 1991. The first tram line opened in 1910. It connected Glendale to West Wallsend. Another tram line opened in 1912, going from Brush Creek to Speers Point. The tram lines were never powered by electricity. All the tram tracks were removed by 1935.

Salty Creek Recreational Area

Salty Creek, also called Sandy Bottom, was a popular spot in the early 1900s. It was home to the West Wallsend Swimming Club. They held swimming events there, and many local clubs joined in. This area became less popular in the 1940s, partly because of pollution.

Edgeworth Today: 1950s to Now

From Recreation to Speedway

The old Salty Creek Recreational Area became the Salty Creek Speedway in 1958. This race track closed in the 1970s.

New Schools and Services

Salty Creek Public School, now Edgeworth Heights Public School, opened in January 1958. In 1959, homes in the area were connected to a piped sewage system.

A New Name for a New Era

In December 1960, Young Wallsend changed its name to Edgeworth. This new name honors Sir Tannatt William Edgeworth David. He was a geologist who came to New South Wales in 1882. He was a pioneer in mapping the coal areas in the Hunter Valley. In 1972, the Hawkins Masonic Village, a community village, was opened.

Education in Edgeworth

Edgeworth has three schools for students. They are Edgeworth Public School, Edgeworth Heights Public School, and St. Benedict's Primary School.

Sport and Leisure Activities

Edgeworth is a great place for sports and fun activities. It is home to the Edgeworth Eagles soccer club. There is also the Sugar Valley Netball Club. If you like bowls, the Edgeworth Sport and Rec Club offers that too.

For something different, the Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society is in Edgeworth. Since 1969, they have been running amazing model steam trains.