Macdonaldtown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Macdonaldtown Sydney, New South Wales
Macdonaldtown railway station entrance
Postcode(s)	2042
Location	4 km (2 mi) south-west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Sydney
Localities around Macdonaldtown: Erskineville Newtown Camperdown Alexandria Macdonaldtown Eveleigh Redfern Golden Grove Darlington

Macdonaldtown used to be a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is now part of the suburbs of Erskineville and Newtown. Today, the only reminder of Macdonaldtown is the Macdonaldtown railway station.

Macdonaldtown was located about 4 kilometers southwest of the Sydney city center. It was next to areas like Newtown, Eveleigh, and Erskineville. People often consider it part of Sydney's Inner West region.

History of Macdonaldtown

Macdonaldtown Map from 1886-1889

Macdonaldtown got its name from Stephen Macdonald. He owned land in the southern part of the area. When it was first advertised, it was called "Macdonald Town".

In 1872, Macdonaldtown became its own local government area. It was later renamed Erskineville in 1893. The name change happened because people wanted the working-class town to have a nicer, more "virtuous" name. They hoped this would help increase property prices. The new name came from Reverend George Erskine's home, "Erskine's Villa."

Early Settlers and Farms

In the early 1800s, the Macdonaldtown and Erskineville area was used for homes and farms. Nicholas Devine, who was the first main supervisor of convicts, named his farm Burren Farm. He named it after a place in his home country of Ireland. Parts of Burren Farm later became Macdonaldtown (now Erskineville) and Newtown.

Devine Street is named after Nicholas Devine. Burren Street is named after his farm.

Street Names and Local Leaders

Many streets in the early Macdonaldtown area are named after Stephen Macdonald's family members. These include Amy, Flora, Eve, Coulson, and Rochford streets.

Knight Street is named after Henry Knight. He was one of the first people to make bricks in the area. Henry Knight was also the first mayor of Macdonaldtown.

Becoming a Municipality

The area officially became a local government area on May 23, 1872. It was called the "Municipal District of Macdonald Town." It was also known as the "Borough of Macdonald Town" or the "Municipality of Macdonaldtown."

On July 19, 1872, the first council was elected. It had six aldermen, who are like local council members. Henry Knight was chosen as the first mayor at their first meeting on July 23, 1872.

Renaming to Erskineville

In 1893, Macdonaldtown was officially renamed Erskineville. The Parliament of New South Wales passed a law called the "Borough of Erskineville Naming Act, 1893" to make this change.

In the late 1800s, many people in the area were market gardeners. They grew vegetables and fruits to sell. Brick making and tanning (making leather) also became important industries. The small Victorian cottages and rows of terraces you see there were built for the workers in these industries. That's why many of them are quite small.

Images for kids

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  The house in Burren Street, Macdonaldtown, where a family lived in 1892.