Rooty Hill historic site facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rooty Hill historic site
View from the Rooty Hill looking across Morreau Reserve, 2015
Location	Eastern Road, Rooty Hill, City of Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1802–1828
Owner	Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Rooty Hill, The; The Rooty Hill; Morreau Reserve
Type	state heritage (landscape)
Designated	13 June 2007
Reference no.	1756
Type	Historic Landscape
Category	Landscape - Cultural
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Rooty Hill is a special historical place and a park in Rooty Hill, Australia. It was developed between 1802 and 1828. This important site is also known as The Rooty Hill or Morreau Reserve. Today, the Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust owns it. Because of its history, Rooty Hill was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2007.

Discovering Rooty Hill's Past

Before European settlers arrived, the Dharug people lived here. They left behind stone tools, showing that this area was important to them. Even after Europeans came, Aboriginal people used Rooty Hill as a secret meeting and camping spot. It was a safe place for them when traveling between Sydney, Parramatta, and other parts of the state.

How Rooty Hill Got Its Name

Governor King officially named this place Rooty Hill. He included it in a large area set aside for government farm animals. It's thought he named it after a similar hill on Norfolk Island, where he had lived before.

There are other ideas about the name. Some thought it came from roots and debris left by floods from Eastern Creek. Another idea connects it to the Hindustani word "ruti," meaning bread. However, the area was mostly used for animals, not growing crops.

Rooty Hill as a Government Farm

In the early 1800s, Governor King set aside a huge area of land, including Rooty Hill, for government farm animals. This was called the Rooty Hill Run. It helped make sure the colony had enough food and meat.

Governor Macquarie, who was governor from 1810 to 1821, built many things here. He had a two-story brick house built for the farm manager, with a room for himself. There were also stables, gardens, and huts for 20 stockkeepers.

Macquarie saw Rooty Hill as a very important farm, second only to Camden. He believed this land should always belong to the government. However, some parts of the land were later given away. For example, Mount Druitt is named after Major Druitt, who received land here in 1821.

In 1822, a traveler named T. H. Hawkins stayed at Rooty Hill. He described the government house as "good" and the land like a "fine wooded park in England."

Changes to the Rooty Hill Land

Rooty Hill was a key government farm, providing food and helping control meat prices. In 1815, an overseer's cottage was built on the northern side of the hill.

Later, in 1822, the government decided the farms were too expensive. So, the Rooty Hill farm was made smaller. By 1828, Governor Darling closed the station. The land, including the hill, was given to the Church and Schools Corporation.

When that group failed in 1832, the land went back to the government. It was then rented out for grazing animals. In 1865, Charles McKay bought 134.87 hectares, including Rooty Hill. He later gave a piece of land to the Baptist Church, which is now owned by the Presbyterian Church.

Rooty Hill Today: A Community Place

Rooty Hill remained private land until 1975. In the 1980s, trees were planted, and sports fields were created, now known as Morreau Reserve. In 1992, the Blacktown City Council took over the hill to make it a historic park.

The hill was used for grazing animals until the 1960s. It has also always been a place for the community. In the 1890s, the Angus family, who owned it then, held events like Queen Victoria's Jubilee. It was a popular spot for children's adventures and celebrations. Today, it hosts official events like Australia Day celebrations and Carols by Candlelight.

Rooty Hill's Importance to Aboriginal People

Even after European settlement, Aboriginal people continued to use Rooty Hill. During times when their movement was restricted, Rooty Hill was a hidden meeting and camping spot. It was used by groups traveling between Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and other areas.

One Dharug elder shared that the "South Creek mob" and "Toongabbie mob" camped at Rooty Hill about three times a year. They were not supposed to be traveling and were meant to stay on missions. The last time this elder's family camped there was around 1962.

Changes Over Time

• 1802: A large area, including Rooty Hill, was set aside for a government farm.
• 1815: Rooty Hill and nearby areas were cleared for grazing and growing crops.
• 1865-1869: Eastern Road was built on the northern side of the hill.
• Around 1890: A small piece of land was given to the Baptist Church, where a church building was later built.
• Late 1890s: Rooty Hill started being used for community events.
• 1960s: Grazing of animals on the hill stopped.
• Around 1980: A project to plant trees and create sports fields (Morreau Reserve) began.

What Rooty Hill Looks Like

Rooty Hill includes the hill itself, Morreau Reserve, and land owned by the Presbyterian Church. It's surrounded by Rooty Hill Road South, Church Street, Curry Street, and Eastern Road.

The hill is mostly grassy with some areas of Cumberland Plain Woodland (a type of native bushland) on its lower slopes. It's one of the highest spots between Parramatta and the Blue Mountains. From the top, you can see a wide view of the Cumberland Plain.

The grassy look of the hill is due to land clearing and animal grazing that happened from 1802 to 1975. When grazing stopped in the 1960s, some bushland started to grow back.

Experts believe there might be Aboriginal and European artifacts buried here. This is based on the land's history and what we know about the area.

Why Rooty Hill is a Heritage Site

Rooty Hill is important to the history of New South Wales for many reasons. It's a remaining part of one of the first government farms chosen by Governor King in 1802. Governor Macquarie later made it the second most important farm in the colony.

This farm helped provide food for the colony when there were shortages. It also helped the government control prices for meat and other goods. An old stone tool site found here shows its importance for studying Aboriginal history. The hill is also significant to Aboriginal people as a meeting and camping place.

Rooty Hill was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2007 because:

A Link to New South Wales History

Rooty Hill shows how early colonial farms worked. It was a key place for the government to store food and control prices. It also shows how the government managed land in the early days of the colony.

Connected to Important People

The hill has strong links to Governor King, who named it and set aside the land. Governor Macquarie is also connected to its development as a major farm.

Locally, Rooty Hill is linked to families like Dr Charles McKay, who owned much land here. He helped develop the Minchinbury vineyards. James Angus, who bought McKay's land, also helped create the champagne industry in New South Wales.

A Special Landmark

Rooty Hill stands out in the landscape. It's one of the highest points between Parramatta, Penrith, and the Blue Mountains. Its importance as a landmark is why the whole government farm was called the Rooty Hill Run.

The hill was also a stopping point for early travelers heading west. Aboriginal people also used it as a gathering and camping spot when traveling. Its grassy top still reminds us of its past as a grazing farm.

Important to the Community

Rooty Hill is very important to the local community. Many people remember it as a place for fun and gatherings. Since the 1890s, it has hosted community events, and it continues to be a popular spot today.

A Place for Discovery

Finding old stone tools on Rooty Hill makes it a valuable place for archaeological research. It can help us learn more about Aboriginal culture from before European contact. Because it was a government farm, there's also a chance to find European artifacts related to farming and grazing.

Home to Rare Nature

Rooty Hill has areas of Cumberland Plain Woodland, especially on the Presbyterian church site. This type of bushland is important for keeping local plant species healthy and diverse.