Sugarloaf Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sugarloaf Farm |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | Menangle Road, Gilead, City of Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1835– |
| Owner | Department of Planning and Infrastructure |
| Official name: Sugarloaf Farm; Mt Huon | |
| Type | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1389 |
| Type | Farm |
| Category | Farming and Grazing |
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Sugarloaf Farm is a special historic place in Gilead, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a farm where they raised dairy cows and grew wheat. Now, it's a home and a popular place for horse riding. The farm was built starting in 1835 and is also known as Mt Huon. The New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure owns it. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, which means it's protected because of its important history.
Contents
A Look Back: Sugarloaf Farm's Story
First People and Early Days
Before Europeans arrived, the Campbelltown area was home to Aboriginal people, mainly from the Tharawal (or Dharawal) language group. They lived off the land, hunting and gathering. The area was also a meeting point with the Dharug language group.
In 1788, a convict colony was started in Sydney. This led to big changes for Aboriginal people. Later, in 1795, escaped cattle from the colony were found breeding in the Campbelltown/Camden area. This place became known as the "Cow Pastures."
European Settlers Arrive
In 1805, John Macarthur received a large land grant of 5,000 acres (about 2,000 hectares) in the "Cow Pastures." This was some of the best land for grazing animals.
By 1809, more settlers, many of them Irish, received land grants in the new Minto district. Important settlers included Charles Throsby and William Redfern. As more people moved in, a town was needed. Campbelltown was officially started in 1820. It was named after Mrs. Elizabeth Macquarie's maiden name, Campbell.
How Sugarloaf Farm Grew
The land that became Sugarloaf Farm was originally many smaller land holdings. Over time, these smaller pieces of land were joined together under one owner. Some of the first land grants that became part of Sugarloaf Farm belonged to James Mumford and John Smith.
In 1831, brothers James and William Bean received land grants. Later, in 1835, Paul Huon and George Taber also received grants. These four grants made up about half of what is now Sugarloaf Farm.
From Beehive to Sugarloaf
The farm was first known as "Beehive Farm." In 1837, Paul Huon's land passed to his widow, Jane. Later, it was sold to William Chapman, who renamed it "Mountain View." Then, Jon Vardy bought it and called it "Springdale Cottage and Farm."
Changes Over Time
In the late 1800s, dairying (raising cows for milk) became important at the farm. In 1903, a big part of the property was used to build the Sydney Water Canal (now called the Upper Canal). This canal is a major feature of the farm today. It was a huge engineering project to bring water to Sydney.
In 1929, James Carroll, a well-known dairy farmer, bought the farm. Dairying continued until the 1970s. At that time, the Macarthur Regional Development Board bought the property. They wanted to use it for urban expansion, but the part with Sugarloaf Farm was set aside for conservation.
Since the 1940s, the farm has been leased for grazing animals and for fun activities. Today, Sugarloaf Farm is home to the Sugarloaf Riding School. It's a place where people can learn to ride horses and keep their horses.
What Sugarloaf Farm Looks Like
The Farm Landscape
Sugarloaf Farm is what's left of a much larger property. Today, it has many fenced areas, called paddocks, where horses graze. The land has gentle hills, and Mount Sugarloaf is the highest point. Most of the original native trees were cleared for farming long ago. However, some native trees are growing back in harder-to-reach spots.
The Sydney Water Supply (Upper) Canal is a very noticeable feature. It winds through the property, following the shape of the hills. It's a great example of early 20th-century engineering.
Gardens and Buildings
A small garden surrounds the main house. A large paddock in front of the house creates a space between the house and Menangle Road.
Near the main drive, you'll find the old dairy building and stables. These buildings were built at different times, from the mid-1800s to the late 1900s.
The Farmhouse
The main farmhouse sits on a small hill, away from Menangle Road. It's a stone cottage built around 1835. Over the years, wooden additions were built onto the stone cottage. A wooden verandah protects the front of the house. The stone part of the cottage even has an attic!
The original stone walls are very thick, about 46 centimeters (18 inches). They are made of large sandstone blocks. The house has changed over time, with new parts added in the 1880s, 1905, and 1950s. The roof is made of corrugated iron, but underneath, there are old timber shingles.
Why Sugarloaf Farm is Special
Sugarloaf Farm is a very important historical site. It shows how farms changed from the 1840s to the 1940s. The main house shows the early days of growing crops. The other farm buildings show how the farm changed to dairying, then to raising horses, and finally to a riding school. The farm still looks much like it did in the past, which helps us understand its history.
Historical Importance
Sugarloaf Farm is important because it shows how the Menangle area was settled and developed as a farming district. It has been used for farming for over 160 years, which is rare now because of new buildings. The stone farmhouse is a good example of a colonial home from that time. The old dairy buildings show how successful farming was in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The farm is linked to important families like the Bean, Taber, and Huon families. They helped develop the area and start farming activities. From Mount Sugarloaf, you can still see other old properties, which helps us imagine what the area looked like long ago.
The old pepper trees and African Boxthorn hedges on the farm are also important. They show what kinds of plants were used when the area was first settled.
The Sydney Water Supply Canal on the property is a big part of its history. It shows how people planned to solve water problems for Sydney. It was a huge engineering success that changed the landscape.
Design and Beauty
The house is beautiful because of its simple design, its location, and its well-built stonework. The old wooden parts inside the house, possibly made by James Bean, are also very valuable.
The way the house and other buildings are placed, with Mount Sugarloaf in the background, creates a striking view. The farm's land also shows how it was used differently over a long time. Even though some native plants were replaced, you can still see the mix of old woodlands and open fields.
Community Connection
Sugarloaf Farm has a strong connection with the local community. It has always been an important farm in the area. It was part of a network of similar farms started around the same time.
The farm is connected to the Taber, Bean, and Huon families, who were important in the early development of the district. James Bean was also a carpenter who helped build other important structures in the colony.
Learning from the Past
The buildings from the 1830s and 1880s show us how people built things and what materials they used back then. The farm also shows how farming practices and land use changed over a long time.
The changes to the house show how a small, successful farm grew and how the needs of the people living there changed. The old plants on the farm show how new plant species were used, especially to mark boundaries.
There might also be old archaeological sites on the farm that could teach us more about its early history.
A Rare Find
Sugarloaf Farm is special because it's one of the few old colonial landscapes left in the Sydney area. Many other old farms from that time have been lost due to new urban development. Sugarloaf Farm, especially the house, is still very much intact, which helps us understand its history.
The house, dairy, and other buildings are good examples of farm buildings from their time. They show what typical colonial rural homes looked like and how the district developed early on.
