Ryde district was the third area of European settlement in NSW and was originally known as Kissing Point. The first land grants were made in 1792 and small groups of farms were established along the foreshores of Parramatta River. During the nineteenth century larger estates developed and on them some quite substantial homes were built, several of which still exist, as do churches and some small public buildings. Other historic buildings you may like to visit:
CURZON HALL
53 Agincourt Road, Marsfield, NSW, 2122
An architectural splendour built in the 1890's by entrepreneur Harry Smith. Italian Renaissance style with graceful arches and colonnades built with local sandstone. It is now a restaurant and a popular venue for social functions and conferences.
EASTWOOD HOUSE
44 Hillview Road, Eastwood 2122. Viewing from the outside only.
Listed by the Heritage Council. A single storey Georgian house built in 1840 by William Rutledge and purchased by Edward Terry, first Mayor of Ryde, in 1863. The estate was subdivided in the 1910's and the house is now part of Marist College Eastwood.
HATTONS COTTAGE
158 Blaxland Road, Ryde 2112.
Listed by the Heritage Council. Early settler's cottage.
THE HERMITAGE
Pennant Avenue, Ryde 2112
John Blaxland (son of the explorer and owner of Brush Farm House, Gregory Blaxland) purchased 5 acres of land in 1838. Blaxland built the house for his family and it was completed in 1841. John Blaxland was known as the hermit, within the family as so the house was named The Hermitage.
The house is a rare survivor from the early settlement period of Ryde.
The Hermitage was purchased by CSIRO in 1952 from Mr DT Nicholson. It became one of three CSIRO Wool Research Laboratories and in 1958 became a separate division and was named the Division of Textile Physics.
The Hermitage and its surrounds stayed in Commonwealth Hands until 1999, when CSIRO rationalised its properties in the Ryde area.
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE
Victoria Road, Ryde 2112 (Opposite Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre).
Built in 1898 by the Patrician Brothers on land purchased from the James Farnell Estate.
METHODIST CHURCH
25-27 Church Street, Ryde 2112
Now known as Ryde Wesley Uniting Church. It was the second church in the Ryde district and was opened in 1847. A new church building was opened in 1870. The original building is a hall for the current church.
OLD COURT HOUSE
Church Street, Ryde 2112. Viewing from the outside only.
Built in 1870. It was also the first meeting place of Ryde Municipal Council (now Ryde City Council).
POLICE STATION
Corner of Belmore Street and Victoria Road, Ryde 2112
Built in 1837 and believed to be the oldest Police Station still in use.
ST ANNE'S CHURCH
46 Church Street, Ryde 2112
Built between 1826 and 1856. The graveyard includes the burial place of Granny Smith and Emily Barton (Banjo Paterson's grandmother) as well as several First Fleeters.
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CHURCH
582 Victoria Road, Ryde 2112
Opened in 1857, sections of this original building have been included in the present church. The graveyard is the burial place of many early settlers including Andrew Lenehan, a prominent early Sydney cabinetmaker.
WALLUMETTA
826 Victoria Road, Ryde 2112
A two storey Victorian style dwelling that has recently been refurbished as office accomodation.
