Hartley historic site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hartley historic site |
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The Shamrock Inn, built c. 1842, pictured in 2015.
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| Location | Great Western Highway, Hartley, City of Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1837–1850 |
| Owner | Office of Environment and Heritage |
| Official name: Hartley Historic Site; Hartley Township | |
| Type | State heritage (complex / group) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 992 |
| Type | Townscape |
| Category | Urban Area |
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Hartley Historic Site is a special old village in New South Wales, Australia. It's found right next to the Great Western Highway. This historic place was mostly built between 1837 and 1850. It's also known as Hartley Township. The Office of Environment and Heritage, a government group, now owns and protects it. Hartley was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's a very important place to keep safe for the future.
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Exploring Hartley's Past
The Hartley Valley was first explored by Europeans in 1813. This happened during the famous trip by Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson. More people started settling here in the 1820s. In 1832, a new main road was built through Hartley. This road connected to Bathurst, a growing town.
Soon, people decided to create a town in Hartley. There were many convicts (prisoners) working in the area. So, a place was needed to hold them and to handle legal matters. Before this, there was no such place between the Nepean River and Bathurst. Because of this need, a courthouse was built in Hartley in 1837. The town plan was officially announced the next year.
Hartley grew as a government centre. It also became an important stop for travellers. People going to Bathurst and further west would often stop here.
How Hartley Changed Over Time
The railway arrived in the region in the late 1860s. This was a big change. Towns like Lithgow grew because of the railway. But Hartley became less important. Fewer people used the road, so fewer stopped in Hartley.
Later in the 1800s, Hartley started to be seen as a historic place. Tourists visiting Jenolan Caves also helped the village. During the years between the two World Wars, car tourism became very popular. This brought many visitors to Hartley.
However, after World War II, cars and highways got better. More tourists drove straight through without stopping. In the 1960s and 1970s, the local council bought many buildings in Hartley. In 1972, the Hartley Historic Site was officially created. It was put under the care of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Important Buildings at Hartley
Hartley has many old and interesting buildings. Each one tells a part of the village's story.
The Old Courthouse
The Courthouse was designed in 1837. It was created by Mortimer Lewis, who was the main architect for the government back then. It's a strong, grand building made of sandstone.
St John's Anglican Church
This church was built around 1858-1859. It was designed by Edmund Blacket, a famous church architect. It's a simple but beautiful church made of sandstone. Its roof was once made of wooden shingles, but now it has corrugated iron.
St Bernard's Catholic Church
St Bernard's Catholic Church was built around 1842. It shows that many Irish people lived in Hartley in the 1800s. The church has a Gothic style and is made of sandstone. Its windows are tall and narrow, often in pairs.
St Bernard's Presbytery
This building, next to St Bernard's Catholic Church, was built around 1845. A presbytery is where a priest lives. It's made of sandstone and granite. It has a steeply sloped roof and a verandah (a covered porch). Today, you can even stay overnight here!
The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel was built in 1846. It's a single-story building made of sandstone. It used to be a hotel and even served as a school for a while. In the 1850s-1870s, it was a stop for Cobb & Co coaches. These coaches carried people and mail between Sydney, Bathurst, and Mudgee.
Farmers Inn
John Finn built Farmers Inn around 1845-1846. The Finn family was very important in Hartley. They also built the post office and other homes. Farmers Inn was a licensed inn from the 1860s until 1895.
The Shamrock Inn
The Shamrock Inn was built in the mid-1840s. It was a home for the Phillips family for many years. It also served travellers going to and from the gold fields. These gold fields were in places like Hill End and the Turon.
Hartley's Former Post Office
This building was constructed between 1845 and 1852. When it closed in 1982, it was said to be the longest-running post office in Australia!
Old Tralee
Old Tralee was built between 1846 and 1854. It was named after the Finn family's home in Ireland. John and Mary Finn and their eight children came to Australia from Ireland in 1839. They moved straight to Hartley and built Old Tralee. You can now stay overnight here too!
Ivy Cottage
Ivy Cottage was built sometime between the late 1850s and early 1870s. It has brick walls and a verandah.
What Hartley Looks Like Today
Hartley Historic Site sits on a hill above the River Lett. The area around the village is open, but the higher land has trees. You can also see many different kinds of trees planted in the town. The village still looks very much like it did in the 1800s. This gives it a strong, old-fashioned feel.
Hartley is a very well-preserved 19th-century village. It has a great collection of government buildings, churches, hotels, and homes. They show many different building styles and materials from that time.
- The Courthouse: Built in 1837, this building is a great example of Old Colonial Greek style. It's made of sandstone. Its front has a grand entrance with columns.
- St John's Anglican Church: Built around 1858-1859, this church is in the Victorian Gothic style. It's made of sandstone.
- St Bernard's Catholic Church: Built around 1842, this church is Gothic in style and made of sandstone. It has tall, narrow windows.
- St. Bernard's Presbytery: Built around 1845, this building is made of sandstone in the Georgian style.
- The Royal Hotel: Built in 1846, this hotel is a single-story building made of sandstone. It has a verandah supported by wooden posts.
- Farmers Inn: Built around 1843, this is a single-story brick building. It has a simple roof and a verandah with rooms at the ends.
- The Shamrock Inn: Built around 1842, this inn shows different old building methods. Its outer walls are brick, and it has a wooden slab section at the back.
- Hartley's Former Post Office: Built in 1846, this building has a central brick section with smaller parts on each side.
- Old Tralee: Built between 1846 and 1854, this home has brick walls and a metal roof. It also has old, hand-sawn timbers.
- Ivy Cottage: Dating from the late 1850s to early 1870s, this cottage has brick walls and a verandah.
Why Hartley is a Heritage Site
Hartley is very important historically. It shows how early settlements grew west of the Blue Mountains. It was also a key government centre and a stopping point for travellers for a long time.
The village is still very complete. It has many different types of buildings, materials, and styles. People have recognized Hartley as an important historical place for many years. It holds special meaning for those who travel through.
Hartley also has great examples of work by important architects like Mortimer Lewis and Edmund Blacket. Because of its buildings, their styles, and its rural setting above the River Lett, Hartley has a strong and beautiful feel from the mid-1800s.
The Hartley Historic Site was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Images for kids
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The Shamrock Inn, built c. 1842.
