History_Melbourne

=History of Melbourne= 1835 - Signing of Batman's treaty and Foundation of Melbourne. On the 29th of May 1835, John Batman, John Pascoe Frawkner and a group of investors landed at the Indented Head (around Port Phillip Bay). Over the next week, they explored this area which is now known as the northern suburbs of Melbourne. On the 6th of June 1835, Batman's treaty was signed with the Aboriginal people, for puchasing the land around the Yarra River and Corio Bay. On 8th of June 1835, John Batman founded the current site of Central Melbourne and named it as 'Batmania'. He wrote in his journal: "So the boat went up the large river... and... I am glad to state about six miles up found the River all good water and very deep. This will be the place for a village." The last sentence had later became famous as the 'founding charter' of Melbourne.

1839 - Death of John Batman. After John Batman had signed the 'Batman's Treaty' and founded Melbourne, he and his family settled at Batman's Hill, at a house he built on the base of the hill in April 1839. Batman's health quickly declined after 1835 as syphilis had disfigured him. Plus his only son had drown in the Yarra and his wife had left him. On 6th of May 1839, John Batman died.

1842 - The first public execution in Melbourne and incorporation of Melbourne. On 20th of February 1842, the first public execution occured in Melbourne. The prisoners were two Aboriginal men known as Bob and Jack, who had been accused of murdering two whalers in the Colony's western port district. They had no evidence of their own defence or to call Aboriginal witnesses, they were founded guilty by the settler's jury. The execution was a major event, about 6000 people went to see it, nearly the whole town population. On the 12th of August 1842, Melbourne was incorporated as a 'town' by governor legislative council of New South Wales.

1847 - Melbourne was incorporated as a city. On the 25th of June 1847, which was 5 years after it was incorporated as a town. Melbourne was raised to the status of a city by letters Patent of Queen Victoria. The letters patent also constituted the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne and declared Melbourne a cathedral city.

1851 - The Victorian Gold rush. In April 1851, Edward Hargraves sparked the first gold rush after announcing his discovery of gold. After hearing about the gold, many workers decided to leave their work and go for the gold, which caused a widespread labour shortage. Between 1851 to 1860, Melbourne's population had increased from 29000 to 125000. Gas street lighting, regular piped water and solid buildings gave Melbourne a more permanent appearance. Because of the gold rush, Melbourne became one of the greatest cities governed by the UK.

1861 - The first Melbourne Cup and Melbourne's population reached 125000. The winner of this cup was Archer, it was also the winner of the next Melbourne Cup. The prize of this Melbourne Cup was £710 and a golden watch. When the Melbourne Cup was first started, the club committee couldn't imagine that it would become such a big part of our social and sporting culture.

1862- The Old Treasury Building was built by the nineteen year old JJ Clark. The Old Treasury Building was made to house the gold bars that had been mined during the gold rush and was built by one of Australia's greatest architects. The Old Treasury Building is recognized as one of the greatest buildings of the nineteenth century. It also happens to hold the original prison records for Ned Kelly and has copies of female prisoners and their reasons for being convicted.

1863- The Old Melbourne Cemetary re-opened. The Old Melbourne Cemetary was only used for 6 burials and was the second cemetary opened in Melbourne. The Old Melbourne Cemetary is now located under the Vic Markets (Visit Markets In Melbourne for in-depth research of Vic Markets).The Old Melbourne Cemetary was home to around 10,000 bodies but is now home to around 9,000 bodies.

1869- The Royal Arcade was opened. The Royal Arcade is home to some of the most beatiful shops in the city and also home to Gog and Magog who ring the Gaunts Clock's bell every hour. The Royal Arcade was built by Charles Web and was officialy opened by the Lord Mayor Charles Amess. In 1951 the Royal Arcade was sold for 541 thousand dollars. The Royal Arcade is also listed in the Victorian Heritage Register.

1878- The Vic Markets were built. The main facade for the Queen Victoria Markets was finished on the 20th of March. The Victoria Markets went on to become a large supplier of the fresh food that is purchased in Melbourne. The Market has been divided into sections to help customers find what they are looking for.

1885- The statue of Burke and Wills was moved to Spring Street. The statue of Burke and Wills has been moved many times since it was first unveiled on the 21 of April 1865 because of renovations and the upsizing of Melbourne.

1891- St Paul's Cathedral was completed. The St Paul's Cathedral was created to be a beacon of hope for London and the United Kingdom. The architect of St Paul's cathedral was William Butterfield and he made the building in the Gothic transitional style.

1901- The Federal Parliament was opened. The Federal parliament has been [] []

History Home Aboriginal History Early Explorers of Melbourne Bibliography