Forth, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ForthTasmania |
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The Bridge Hotel in Forth
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 Forth
Location in Tasmania
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| Population | 738 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 7310 |
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| LGA(s) | Central Coast Council (75%), City of Devonport (25%) |
| State electorate(s) | Braddon |
| Federal Division(s) | Braddon |
Forth is a small village located in north-west Tasmania. It sits right on the Forth River.
You can find Forth about 11 kilometers (7 miles) west of Devonport. It's also about 110 kilometers (68 miles) north-west of Launceston, if you travel by the Bass Highway.
Most of Forth is part of the Central Coast Council. A smaller part, less than 25%, is in the City of Devonport.
Around 738 people live in Forth. This village was once called Hamilton-on-Forth. It is actually older than the larger town of Devonport.
Close by, you can find the Forthside Dairy Research Facility. This important center is run by the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research. It helps with studies about dairy farming.
The Early Days of Forth
In 1839, a young man named James Fenton arrived at the Forth River area. He was of Irish background and was looking for good land to farm.
With help from a friend, he built the first European building in the area. In 1840, he came back to live there permanently. Soon, other settlers like Andrew Risby and his family joined him. They all hoped for a new life in Tasmania.
Fenton spent a lot of money trying to drain the swampy areas near the river. He hoped to turn them into perfect fields for growing crops. This plan did not work out.
So, he moved further inland. There, he found rich soil on the sloping ground, even though it had many trees. Fenton is known for starting the practice of ring-barking large eucalyptus trees. This meant cutting a ring around the tree trunk. It allowed more sunlight to reach the forest floor. This is where the first crops were grown. In those early years, the area produced excellent potato crops.
The Forth Post Office first opened on May 12, 1856. Between 1868 and 1876, it was known as Hamilton On Forth.
Famous People from Forth
- Bertha Southey Brammall (1878–1957) was a well-known writer.
- Mother Mary Xavier Dooley (1858–1929) was an Australian nun.
- Alexander Rud Mills (1885–1964) was a lawyer and author.
