Vernon Street Strathfield is located on the land originally granted to James Wilshire in 1810. Wiltshire’s grant was subdivided by William Whaley Billyard in 1867 and marketed as the ‘Redmire Estate’. In 1868, 22 acres was purchased by Mary Ann Renny, wife of Walter Renny of City of Sydney, painter. In 1874, Renny with ‘the consent of her husband’ sold 22 acres to James Vernon, of Scone, a licensed surveyor, purchased land measuring 18 acres. On April 7 1875, Vernon transferred ownership to his son, John Vernon. Vernon authorised the power of attorney to his brother Donald Vernon, of Burwood, in June 1880. The land was subdivided and marketed for sale as the ‘Mount Vernon Estate’ (DP 528) in July 1880. The ‘Mount Vernon Estate’, created Vernon Street, Brunswick Street (then called Redmyre St) and had lots on Redmyre Road (south between Vernon Street) and Homebush Rd (east between Vernon Street and Homebush Road).
Members of the Vernon family were influential in Strathfield’s early history. Donald Vernon (1839-1891) entered the civil service when 20 years of age, and occupied several important positions in the railway department, including those of auditor and traffic manager. He was appointed Secretary for Railways in 1878, Secretary to the Railway Commissioners in 1888 and retired due to ill health in August 1899. He built and lived in the home ‘Parkstone’ c.1872 on The Boulevarde Strathfield (following subdivision of its grounds, it had a Margaret Street frontage and has since been demolished) and later moved to ‘Clewer’ Albert Road Strathfield where he died in 1891. John Vernon (1845-1924), brother of Donald Vernon, also worked for the Railway Department for 28 years before serving as NSW Auditor-General from 1902-1914. He was also a trustee of the Australian Museum. He lived at ‘Springfield’ Redmyre Road Strathfield (demolished) and ‘Iona’ 70 Redmyre Road Strathfield. Their father, James Vernon, was a surveyor. He died in 1894 at ‘Merley’ Albert Road Strathfield.
Historic properties
’Barooma’ 1 Vernon Street Strathfield
‘Orkey’ 9 Vernon Street Strathfield
‘Gundaibe’ 10 Vernon Street Strathfield
’Leilala’ 13 Vernon Street Strathfield
’Deep Dene’ 15 Vernon Street Strathfield
‘St Vigeans’ 12 Vernon Street Strathfield
