Hoskinstown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hoskinstown New South Wales
House at Hoskinstown, which was once a part of the Victoria Hotel building.
Hoskinstown Location in New South Wales
Population	191 (2021 census)
Postcode(s)	2621
Elevation	761 m (2,497 ft)
Location	38 km (24 mi) ESE of Canberra 299 km (186 mi) SW of Sydney
LGA(s)	Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Region	Southern Tablelands
County	Murray
Parish	Molonglo
State electorate(s)	Monaro
Federal Division(s)	Eden-Monaro
Localities around Hoskinstown: Bungendore Bungendore Bungendore Carwoola Hoskinstown Forbes Creek Primrose Valley Captains Flat Rossi

Hoskinstown is a small place in New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council area. Hoskinstown is about 38 kilometers (24 miles) southeast of Canberra, Australia's capital city. It is also about 299 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Sydney. In 2021, 191 people lived in Hoskinstown.

History of Hoskinstown

Hoskinstown is built on the traditional lands of the Ngarigo people. They are the original owners and custodians of this area.

How Hoskinstown Got Its Name

Hoskinstown was once known as Hoskingtown. It was named after John Hosking (1805-1882). He was a successful merchant from Sydney. He was also the first elected mayor of Sydney. John Hosking owned a large property nearby called Foxlow station. He bought this land around 1835. Part of his land reached the area where Hoskinstown is today.

Before 1870, the area was called 'Blackheath'. This name was used since at least 1835. However, there was another town called Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. To avoid confusion, the post office in 'Blackheath' (this one) changed its name. Just a few months after opening in 1870, it became 'Hoskin's Town'.

Around the same time, the small settlement and its surrounding area became known as 'Hoskingtown'. Then, around 1896, the name changed to Hoskinstown. The name has been spelled in many ways over the years. These include 'Hoskingtown', 'Hoskingstown', 'Hoskins Town', 'Hoskington', and 'Hoskintown'. Eventually, Hoskinstown became the common spelling. The post office itself was officially renamed Hoskinstown in 1925.

Hoskinstown was never officially declared a village. It was more like a small group of buildings. This cluster of homes and businesses was mainly along Hoskinstown Road. It was located between what are now Plains Road and Rossi Road.

Local Landmarks and Community

Hoskinstown is known for the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope. This important telescope is operated by the University of Sydney. It helps scientists study space.

Hoskinstown School and Railway

Hoskinstown had a public school that operated for many years. It was open from 1869 until 1967. The land for the school was originally part of John Hosking's property. The school building, built in 1929, is now a private home.

The Captains Flat railway line at Hoskinstown

A small railway platform, called Hoskinstown platform, opened in 1940. It was part of the Captains Flat railway line. This platform closed in August 1968. The entire railway line closed just one year later.

Past Businesses

The settlement once had a hotel called the Victoria Hotel. In the 1930s, a house that held the post office and a store also operated. This place sometimes sold alcoholic drinks without a proper license. The post office closed its doors at the end of November 1967.

Churches and Community Spirit

Hoskinstown has two churches. The Catholic Church is named after Saint Peter and Paul. There is also an Anglican Church, called St Marks. Both churches have their own cemeteries.

In the past, there was often tension between different religious groups in Australia. However, Hoskinstown was different. The two churches in Hoskinstown worked together. They held combined social events and sporting competitions. The money raised from these events was shared between both churches. This showed a strong sense of community.

Public Hall and Fire Service

Hoskinstown has a public hall that opened in 1928. This hall is used for community events. The Hoskinstown-Rossi Rural Fire Service brigade also uses the hall for their public events. The fire brigade has its own building right next to the Anglican Church.