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Tuesday 28 May 2019

1938 MAP (PART 12) SWIMMING POOL WARRIMOO

I must admit that I knew nothing about a swimming pool at Warrimoo when I started this blog, beyond what is shown below (from the 1938 map). Rather than me repeat the story, you can read it yourself here. It is basically about Arthur Rickard, real estate developer and entrepreneur.
As for the pool itself, whether it still exists or not, I don't know. If you do, please add your story in the comments section below.





Sir Arthur Rickard

From the Mountaineer Tourist Guide 1927

Monday 27 May 2019

1938 MAP (Part 11) BLAXLAND SWIMMING POOL


This is a short walk (with a steep climb) down to Glenbrook Creek where there are some great swimming holes. Modern maps include the area as an extension of Florabella Pass. It's shown on the 1938 map as Route 11.

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Thursday 23 May 2019

1938 MAP (PART 10) OLD BATHURST ROAD BLAXLAND - EMU PLAINS


For viewers who may not know what this series of blogs is all about. I have a rather poor copy of a 1938 map with walks information, produced by the NSW government railways department.  I have copied the map and information in the order of the walk numbers. This is walk 10, the Old Bathurst Road from Emu Plains to Blaxland.
The Old Bathurst Road, which ascends from Emu Plains to Blaxland in the lower Blue Mountains, has been in use (off and on) since the 1820's. I can remember my father using this road 60 - 70 years ago. It is in regular use today.
Lots of things have changed since 1938 - consult a modern street directory and walking guide. 

 

For more information I suggest you look at these two reports.
The first is from the Department of Environment and Heritage (here). It is very thorough and well worth reading. 
Another good read is from the Nepean Times of 26th April 1962 (here).
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Sunday 19 May 2019

1938 MAP (Part 9). MT RIVERVIEW LOOKOUT BLAXLAND


What was largely bushland in 1938 is now essentially a western suburb of Sydney. See this web page for information on the history of the area. here


Read Pauline Conolly's article on Mt Riverview here. Thank you for access to your most interesting article, Pauline.
Videos to watch. I couldn't find any - they are mostly about property for sale. The above article covers the place very well.
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Thursday 16 May 2019

1938 MAP (Part 8) FLORABELLA PASS WARRIMOO AND BLAXLAND


Florabella Pass lies between Warrimoo and Blaxland in the lower Blue Mountains. The map shows its location clearly; however urban development since 1938 has been considerable so a modern street directory and walks guide is essential.
The name "Florabella" basically means "beautiful flowers".


The Pilgrim Inn at Blaxland was destroyed in a bush fire about 60 years ago


Some suggested references and videos:
Secrets of Florabella Pass (Shazboo BookOwl)
Florabella Pass (Graham Cosserat)

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Wednesday 8 May 2019

1938 MAP (Part 7) Mitchell's Pass Area (Glenbrook and Blaxland)


This walk has access points at both Glenbrook and Blaxland stations and finishing points at Emu Plains and Penrith stations. On the map it is shown as Route 7 along with 7a, 7b and 7c. 
With all the suburban development taking place in this area, a road walk of this length would not be as pleasant as it must have been in 1938. Nevertheless, given the history of the place and the presence of one of Australia's most historic bridges, it still has a lot to offer the informed walker. A good alternative would be to design your own route from Blaxland station to Lennox bridge, returning via Glenbrook station.



 

Relevant videos: Lennox Bridge

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Sunday 5 May 2019

1938 MAP (Part 6) MARGE'S AND ELIZABETH LOOKOUTS

This map segment covers the area from Glenbrook station to the the Lapstone escarpment overlooking the Nepean River and Penrith.
Here you will come across evidence of the difficulties that both road and railway engineers found in coping with the sudden rise from Emu Plains to Glenbrook. The notes accompanying the 1938 maps don't have much to say on the subject so I have given a few links to sites which will fill in the gaps.
You should use a modern street directory and walks guide book before tackling this walk.

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Wednesday 1 May 2019

1938 MAP (Part 5): GLENBROOK GORGE AND THE NEPEAN RIVER

These 2 walks (5 and 5a) expose several problems facing conservation and recreational tourism. I won't enlarge on them but any time you spend in thinking about them will be time well spent. Obviously there are many other related issues which the modern world must face.
Access to and through private land. This goes back to Victorian times in the UK but it's still on the agenda in the Blue Mountains.
Keeping areas "wild" when all around are development pressures.
Preserving relics of the past in an environment where growth is seen as essential.
The visitor to Lapstone and Glenbrook is confronted by active geology, though what looks recent may in fact have happened millions of years ago. The publication "Layers of Time" (2001) will help you understand this area better. You can download a copy at no charge here.
Here are some relevant videos: "Glenbrook Gorge" (David Noble), "3642 + 3526 In Glenbrook Gorge with Caves Express" (Nosecone Oz), "Blue Mountains Flight" (Mick Turner Aerials) .


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