Talk – “The Rise and Fall of the Mansions of the Strathfield district”

by Cathy Jones

I am the guest speaker at the Burwood District Historical Society meeting on Wednesday,12 July at 8 pm at Woodstock, 22 Church Street, Burwood NSW 2134

The topic is “The Rise and Fall of the Mansions of the Strathfield district”

The first Australia economic boom from the 1850s to 1890s coincided with the residential settlement of the Strathfield district. Many wealthy merchants and professionals viewed Strathfield as the ideal place to build large and lavish homes, supported by rail access to the City where their businesses were located. By the 1890s, Strathfield was considered one of the premium suburbs of Sydney.

However, this was not to last. Decline commenced with the 1890s Depression followed by significant and continued economic and social change throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. The talk discusses the rise and fall of the mansions and focuses on a few examples of the stories of prominent houses and their eventual fate.