The Streets of Mosman

ABERCROMBIE STREET – Abercrombie Street was named after Police Sergeant Abercrombie whose district from North Sydney extended to Ryde in one direction and Mosman, Manly and Pittwater in the other. After he had fined a man 5/- for not having his name on his dray, Abercrombie was erased and another name given in its place – Keston Avenue.

ADIE STREET – Now Government Road and Marsala Road.

ALEXANDER AVENUE – The Christian name of a Mosman builder, Mr A. Grassick.

ALMA STREET – The Alma is a river 12 miles north of Sebastopol where a battle took place (1854). Alma Street has now been changed to Almora Street.

ALBION LANE M64 – Her Majesty’s Ship Albion is mentioned as carrying away the wounded after the Battle of the Alma. Another explanation of the name Albion is that Captain Eben Bunker, a Nantucket man, operated the Albion whaler in and out of Sydney for a number of years.

ALMORA STREET – ALMORA is a town in the Himalayas that was the British Headquarters in the Gurkha War of 1815. It was previously called Alma Street. It has been pointed out that Almora is Balmoral with the first and last letters omitted.

AMAROO CRESCENT – One of Mosman’s newer names. Amaroo is a native name meaning day. Amaroo Crescent was till 10/2/1950 an unformed spur of Coronation Avenue.

AMIENS AVENUE – Named for a First World War battlefield. The name was chosen by Mosman’s beloved local medico Dr J. H. Phipps, one of the owners of Picardy Estate when he returned from his campaigning in Gallipoli and France.

ARBUTUS STREET – This street was named by the wife of Mr S. Cook, the owner of the estate (Manager of the Sydney Morning Herald) who was a Sydney University Medallist in Botany. It refers to a well known shrub. It was originally Arbutus Road.

ARCHER STREET – Named by Harnett and looks suspiciously like the name of a ship with mythological origin. (“J.C.”) Archer won First Melbourne Cup 1861. Sir Thomas Archer was Agent General for the Colony 1881-4, 1888-1890.

ARCHER LANE – This is now the extension of Noble Street.

ARTHUR STREET – This was changed to The Grove 27/2/1926. The name probably refers to Arthur Little who lived in the area.

AVENUE ROAD – A name descriptive of the street at the time. It was the first street in Mosman to be built 1860-61. The top end from Gladstone Avenue to Military Road was formerly Crimea Street. An early map shows Avenue Road as Bay View Avenue and before that it was simply Harnett’s Street.

AWABA STREET – A native word meaning a plain surface, as a lake. Part of Awaba Street was known as Vincenz Street.

BADHAM AVENUE – Named after Professor Badham who came into possession of R. H. Harnett’s home “The Nest” with its remaining 3 acres and is the result of a subdivision made in 1921.

BALAKLAVA STREET (ROAD) – This refers to the Battle of Balaklava 1854. Balaklava Street or Road is now part of Military Road.

BALLANTYNE STREET – Named by R. H. Harnett for his attorney, later his son-in-law James Lindsay Ballantyne. Land in the area was part of a grant to Archibald Mosman 7/2/1835.

BALMORAL AVENUE – Balmoral was first applied to the whole of the eastern slope overlooking the two beaches Hunter and Edwards. Balmoral is evidently to remember Balmoral Castle erected in 1853 by Queen Victoria in Aberdeen Shire, Scotland. Perhaps the originator of our Balmoral might have seen some similarity in the expanse of view.

BALMORAL ROAD – This was an early name for Mandolong Road.

BAPAUME ROAD – Named for a French battlefield of World War I.

BARDWELL ROAD – Named to perpetuate the name of an early recipient of a Government Grant – (20 acres), Mr T. H. Bardwell. The Southerly extension of Bardwell Lane M70 is sometimes referred to as Bardwell Road.

BAY STREET – A “descriptive” name. It is a new road in Quakers Hat subdivision in extension of Bay Street to Carrington Avenue 7/7/1950.

BAYVIEW STREET – This was changed to Mosman Street.

BAYVIEW AVENUE – Formerly Heise altered in 1921. Heise was the Christian name of Mr Ballantyne’s wife.

BEACH LANE M25 – This is the documented name for the lane between Military Road and Arbutus Street.

BEACONSFIELD ROAD – Named for Lord Beaconsfield (Benjamin Disraeli) when Australia sent her first overseas Military force to the Sudan.

BEAUTY POINT ROAD – Another “descriptive” name.

BELMONT ROAD – One of Mosman’s oldest streets (1888). Was formerly known as Turkey Street.

BELMONT LANE M62 – This is a documented name for the lane westerly off Keston Lane M62.

BICKELL ROAD – Named for a German lady, Miss Bickell, who lived at the bottom of the street. She owned a chalet type house in Moran Street. Miss Bickell’s name is sometimes spelt Bickle.

BLAKESLEY ROAD – Blakesley was a family name in the Muston Family and called Blakesley by Mr A. Muston. However through a double bereavement England’s Prime Minister was remembered instead. Blakesley Road became Gladstone Avenue.

BLOXSOME STREET – This is shown in an Auctioneers map of 1886 (May 8th) when the Rangers Estate was offered for sale. This is now Calliope Street.

BOND STREET –

BOTANIC ROAD – Another “descriptive” name. Prior to 1 /5/1929 it was known as Trewyn Street.

BOYLE STREET – This street was named to honour Mr H. F. Boyle, a member of the first Australian Cricket Team to go abroad 1878. Boyle was a most successful bowler at Lords, May 1878.

BRADLEY’S HEAD ROAD – Started as a winding track for teamsters horsemen and pedestrians seeking the easiest approach to their destinations. Bradley was a first Lieutenant of the Sirius and assisted Captain Hunter (later Governor) in the survey. He later served at Norfolk Island and became a Rear Admiral. Built in 1870.

BRADY STREET – Perpetuates the name of Mr E. Brady who participated in the subdivision of an early Government Grant in the eighties (1855). The brothers E and W. E. Brady bought 9 acres at Spit Junction in 1855 for £52.

BRAY STREET – Probably named in 1904 for Mr W. F. Bray, Second Town Cerk who took up his duties in 1901.

BRIERLEY STREET – Oswald Brierley arrived in 1842 with Ben Boyd in the “Wanderer” and left his famous painting on the dining room wall of “The Rangers”. He later became Marine Painter to Queen Victoria.

BRIERLEY LANE M75 – This is a documented name for the lane between Spofforth Street and Royalist Road.

BUENA VISTA AVENUE – Another descriptive name.

BULLECOURT AVENUE – Bullecourt was the scene of a battle in World War I. It was gazetted 7/7/1950.

BURRAN AVENUE – Unknown origin. On 5/8/1927 Burran Avenue was so named. It was a portion of Stanton Road from Burran Avenue north to Kirkoswald Avenue. The eastern end of Burran Avenue was in 1916 known as Pell Street.

BURRAWONG AVENUE – The name of a giant fern palm. Till the early 1920s Burrawong Avenue was known as Wharf Road. It was gazetted 29/4/1926.

BURROGY – Now Cardinal Street. Native name for Bradley’s Head.

BURTON STREET – Named for John Burton who owned an allotment of 5 acres in the area.

CABBAN STREET – Named after Mr S. H. Cabban, the building partner of the Mayor of Mosman, Mr W. H. Smith 1915-16-17. Mr Cabban lived at No, 1 Buena Vista Avenue.

CABRAMATTA ROAD – This is an aboriginal word meaning home of the cobra grub. Land jutting out where cobra is found. Part of Cabramatta Road was once known as Thomasine St.

CALLIOPE STREET – The Calliope was a British Man-of-War at times stationed in Australian Waters. The epic escape of the Calliope from Apia Harbour on the night of 15th March 1889 is well recorded in Naval annals. In 1886 it is shown as Bloxsome Street on a map prepared by the Auctioneers when the Rangers Estate was sold 8/5/1886.

CALYPSO AVENUE – The Calypso may have been the name of a yacht or ship. This street was named by R. H. Harnett.

CAMBRIDGE STREET – The Duke of Cambridge led the 1st Division of Her Majesty’s troops in the Battle of the Alma 1854. This has been changed to Mistral Avenue as Cambridge Street appears in maps running from Calypso Avenue to Illawarra Street.

CANROBERT STREET – Named by a surveyor, W. Meadow Brownigg, a veteran of the Crimean War 1854. This road was opened in 1873. General Canrobert served under Field Marshal Lord Raglan at Balaklava.

CARDIGAN STREET – Lord Cardigan led a cavalry brigade in the Crimea and was associated with Lord Raglan. Cardigan Street has now become a part of Clanalpine St.

CARDINAL STREET – This street was originally Burrogy Street. Maybe it had linguistic difficulties for it was changed to Cardinal Street in 1900 when Cardinal Moran laid the foundation stone of the second Catholic Church.

CARTREF LANE M73 – This is the documented lane running from Rangers Avenue to Brierley Street. Cartref is the Welsh word for home and probably was the name on a house owned by a homesick Welsh man.

CARRINGTON AVENUE – Possibly refers to the Governor Lord Carrington (1885-1890) but was not so named till 1925. 19/6/1953 Vernon Street became a part of Carrington Avenue.

CEDRIC LANE M39 – This is the documented lane running from Mulbring Street easterly to Lane M38 Wenban Lane. Cedric was the Christian name of the son of Mr J. L. Ballantyne, the attorney to Mr R. H. Harnett.

CENTRAL AVENUE – Another descriptive name.

CLANALPINE STREET – Mr Macalpine was a member of the first Mosman Council 1893 and Clanalpine was to honour him. There have been many changes to Clanalpine Street, parts having been known as Lucan Street, Cardigan Street and Magic Street. Part of Clanalpine became Kallaroo Street in 1956.

CLIFFORD STREET – Named in 1900. (Origin unknown)

CLIFTON STREET – This street is in the Clifton Gardens area, a popular anchorage for early American Whalers who obtained fresh vegetables from one Cliffe, whose residence was known as “Cliffeton”. Captain E. H. Cliffe was captain of the whaler “Lady Wellington”.

COBBITTEE STREET – Origin unknown.

COBBITTEE LANE M42 – This is a local name for the lane.

CONGEWOI ROAD – “Gongeway” was the native word describing a quantity of shells about the beach. Congewoi Road was one of the first streets in Australia to be concreted.

CORONATION AVENUE – This street marked the coronation of King Edward VII (1901) and was named by Harnett Junior who naively remarked that he had run out of names.

COUNTESS STREET – The countess referred to is the Countess of Rosebery, wife of the Earl of Rosebery who was British Foreign Secretary 1886 and 1892 and British Prime Minister 1894-5.

COWLES ROAD – Charles Cowles was the second Mayor of Mosman 1894-5. He was born in Norfolk, England in 1837 and came to Australia in 1864 and opened a gunsmith shop with his brother-in-law, Mr A. Dunn. His residence in Belmont Road was called Myahgah and was demolished in 1967 to increase the Public School services. Cowles Road was built in 1877.

CRESCENT LANE M64 – In 1927 this unnamed lane off Military Road to Lennon Street was named The Crescent.

CRIMEA STREET – This referred to the Crimean War 1854. It ran from Gladstone Avenue to Military Road and is now part of Avenue Road.

CROSS STREET – Cross Street really names itself as a quick connection between Middle Head Road and Bradley’s Head Road. On an early plan it is shown as George’s Heights Road.

CRUX STREET – This was originally Cross Street and was probably changed to the French spelling to avoid confusion with our still present Cross Street.

CULLEN AVENUE – Formerly known as Cullen Lane. Sir William Cullen, K.C.M.G. Lieut. Governor of N.S.W. on six occasions, lived in the vicinity in Tregoyd, Raglan Street. Cullen Avenue was gazetted 4/6/1954.

CURRAGHBEENA ROAD – This road was named by Mr R. H. Harnett after a Point in Cork Harbour from whence he arrived in 1840. The sentimental memory must have remained as the word really means “marshy ground”. Part of Curraghbeena Road became Raglan Street.

CYPRIAN STREET – This street was named in 1896 probably after Rear Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge who was in charge of the Australian Naval Station 1894-1897.

DALTON ROAD – Gerald Dalton purchased land (10 acres) which extended from Spit Road to Cowles Road (1880s). In 1891 his address was given as Spit Road, St. Leonards. Dalton Road came later. The Dalton family are still well known in the City and the Country (Orange). Dalton Road was the first street in the Municipality finished in concrete.

DAVID STREET – Named by David Thompson who built the hotel at Clifton Gardens (now demolished). He named four other streets in the vicinity but only David and one other remain.

DAYRELL AVENUE – Both of the Harnetts were enthusiastic yachtsmen, being founders of the Prince Alfred Yacht Club. It is appropriate that they named this avenue after a visiting overseas yacht “The Wild Dayrell”.

DELECTA AVENUE – One of Mosman’s descriptive names.

DILKOON STREET – This is described in a street directory of 1916 as “off Military Road”.

DOMINION CRESCENT – This is in Georges Heights Military Reserve and was so called by Department of Defence about 1968.

DRURY LANE M37 – This is the lane from Dugald Road to Gordon Street.

DUGALD ROAD – Named to honour Dugald Thomson, first Federal Member for Warringah 1901.

EARL STREET – This was named for the Earl of Rosebery, the British Prime Minister 1894.

ECHO STREET – A street directory of 1916 tells us Echo Street was off Bradley’s Head Road.

EDWARDS BAY ROAD – Named after Captain Edwards, a whaler, bought 20 acres of land at Balmoral for £140.00 (1823) to construct a whaling station but this project was not carried out. Three generations of his family have resided in the area.

EFFINGHAM STREET – Earl of Effingham? Lord Howard of Effingham commanded the fleet which defeated the Spanish Armada 1588. The top portion of Effingham Street extending to King Max Street was, prior to 9/4/1925 known as Frazer St.

ELFRIDA STREET – Named by J. C.‘King who owned a large area of land in the vicinity. Sometimes spelled Elfreda.

ELLAMATTA AVENUE – This was the name of the homestead of Captain Sayers (1870). It later became Glengarry and is now the Mosman Community Hospital. Ellimatta is a native name for “our dwelling”.

ERIC LANE M78 – Eric Lane comes to us from Mr Eric Symons. We have a connection with Mrs Symons-Campbell who was a Miss Lang.

ERITH STREET – Named by Mr Baker after his son.

ESTHER ROAD – Named by Mr Tom Lawry, owner of a large estate at Balmoral – Esther was the Christian name of his mother.

EURYALUS STREET – This street was named by Mr R. Harnett and would appear to be the name of a ship (Mythological origin). The second ship in Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar 1805 was Euryalus commanded by Henry Blackwood who helped Nelson formulate the message “England expects that every man will do his duty”.

EVERVIEW AVENUE – Descriptive.

FAIRFAX ROAD – Harnett Junior was born in O’Connell Street a few doors north of the Herald Office and was a brother yachtsman of J. R. Fairfax but is that sufficient to apply the name of that well known family to this street?

FITZROY STREET – Sir Charles Fitzroy was Governor from 1846-55. Fitzroy Street ran from Mosman Street to Canrobert Street and later became Shadforth Street.

FLEET LANE M75 – Fleet Lane runs from Spofforth Street to Royalist Road. It is gazetted as Brierley Lane but is commonly known as Fleet Lane.

FRANCE STREET – This street was named by the surveyor, W. Meadow Brownrigg and refers to a battle of the Crimean War. It later became a part of Muston Street.

FRASCATTI LANE M43 – This lane runs easterly off Beaconsfield Road and is locally known as Frascatti Lane though it is documented as Orpheus Lane. The Frascatti Estate occupied land between Military Road (the part now known as Middle Head Road), Beaconsfield Road and Wellesley Road. (Now known as Wolsely Road.)

FRAZER ST. OR FRASER ST. – The writer remembers this street which is in the street directory of 1916. It is now part of Effingham Street running to Bradley’s Head Road. It was gazetted 9/4/1925 as Effingham Street.

GEORGES HEAD ROAD – This ran at one time from Cross Street to Military Barracks through what is now Rawson Park.

GIBSON ROAD – Named by Mr R. H. Harnett for their son-in-law Mr Gibson (of Gibson and Battle).

GLADSTONE AVENUE – This was named for England’s Prime Minister. It was previously known as Blakesley Road and prior to that it was Inkerman Street.

GLEN STREET – A glen is a narrow valley or dale and probably aptly described this area.

GLENCARRON AVENUE – “Glencarron” was a home owned by Mr Lionel Bridge, a wool broker. It had been formerly “Tivoli”. On demolition it left its name to the present Avenue.

GLOVER STREET – Mr J. J. Glover was Mayor of Mosman 1904, 1909, 1910, but Glover Street was named long before this. The Glover Estate in the area probably belonged to his family. John Glover lived in a home in Glover Street called “Ocean View”. A portion of Glover Street was for a time known as Seaview Street.

GORDON STREET – Named for Major General Charles Gordon of Sudan war fame (d. 1885). Not to be confused with an earlier Gordon Street which became Lennox Street.

GORDON STREET – Now Lennox Street to avoid confusion with another Gordon Street which still exists.

GOULDSBURY STREET – John Gouldsbury Lennon received a grant of 19 acres, the major part of which is now Mosman Park and Oval – he gave his middle name to an adjoining street.

GOVERNMENT ROAD – Formerly Adie Street?

GRECIA LANE M6 – This lane runs from James Street to Rosherville Beach.

GURRIGAL STREET – May be from native name Gurugal – West Head – which was applied to Chowder Head and Bay.

HALE ROAD – Mr W. M. Hale owned Northbrook, now No. 25 and was the father of a former Council Architect (or Building Surveyor), Mr A. H. Hale (1916). Part of Hale Road towards Ourimbah Road was known as View Street and was incorporated in Hale Road before 1921.

HAMLET LANE M58 – This is the documented lane running from Shadforth Street to Raglan Street. Mr W. M. Hamlet was at one time the Government Analyser. He lived in Shadforth Street adjoining the lane.

HAMPDEN AVENUE – This was named after Viscount H. R. Hampden, Governor 1895-1899.

HARBORD ROAD – This had become Quakers Road by 1919.

HARBOUR STREET – This was originally known as Nathan Street but was changed because of the fine harbour view at the time. The change was made prior to 1919. The northern end of Harbour Street was for a time called Pariwi St.

HARNETT AVENUE – This is a relatively new avenue named to honour Mr R. H. Harnett who contributed to the progress and settlement of Mosman. He arrived in Australia in 1840 and purchased 108 acres in Mosman in 1859. Harnett Avenue was gazetted 24/9/1965. Mr R. H. Harnett died in 1902 and is buried in St. Thomas’ Churchyard. Mr R. H. Harnett Junior died in 1938 at Chatswood.

HARSTON AVENUE – Mr A. Harston lived in the area in The Bungalow, now No. 15 Carrington Avenue. He bought the land which earlier had belonged to the Harnett family in 1897.

HEISE ROAD – This road is now known as Bayview Avenue. Heise was the Christian name of Mr Ballantyne’s wife.

HEYDON STREET – Mr E. Brady owned 9 acres in this area and named Heydon Street for his solicitor: ? C. G. Heydon Attorney General 1893 ? L. F. Heydon Minister for Justice 1886

HOLT AVENUE – Mr James Holt received a grant of 45 acres in this area and named a street for himself. The Holt estate was divided into 212 lots in 1909.

HOPETOUN AVENUE – John Adrian Louis Hope, First Marquess of Linlithgow, better known to Australians as the Earl of Hopetoun, was the first Governor General of Australia (1900-02).

HORDERN LANE Ml 9 – This documented lane runs from Brady Street to north of Ourimbah Road. Mr Cecil Hordern erected the large terrace of shops at Spit Junction Nos. 2-8 Spit Road; also Nos. 658-662 Military Road.

HUNTER’S ROAD – John Hunter was second captain of the Sirius under Captain Phillip and arrived in Sydney in 1788. He returned to England in 1792 and in 1795 returned to Australia to become Governor of New South Wales.

HUNTER LANE M30 – This is a documented name for the lane between Mandolong Road and Hunter Road.

IDA AVENUE – Mrs Ida Scott owned land and resided in the area.

ILLAWARRA STREET – Illawarra is an aboriginal word meaning “high above the sea”. Aligned by the State Government in 1884 and subsequently built by the St. Leonards Council. An early map shows it as Government Road (1871).

ILUKA ROAD – Up till 1922 this road was known as Margaret Street. Iluka means “near the sea”.

INKERMAN STREET – The Battle of Inkerman was fought in the Crimea 1854. Opened 1873-4. Gladstone Avenue was first called Inkerman Street.

JAMES STREET – ?

JOHN STREET – John Gouldsbury Lennon had a grant of 19 acres, the major part of which is now the Mosman Park and Oval. On subdivision he named John Street but it was obliterated by Park resumption.

JULIAN STREET – This street was named after Julian Hunt, an artist, who lived in Raglan Street, near Canrobert Street and was a great friend of the Harnett family.

KAHIBAH ROAD – This is a native word meaning “active”.

KALLAROO STREET – This is a native word meaning “road to water”. It was prior to 15/6/56 a part of Clanalpine Street.

KARDINIA ROAD – This is a native word meaning “sunrise” which is aptly applied to this street. Up till 1922 it was known as Mary Street.

KEMBLE LANE M61 – This lane runs from Gladstone Avenue to Archer Street.

KESTON AVENUE – This street was named by Mr Arthur Muston when he built what was known at the time as “Muston’s Model Township”. It had been known earlier as Abercrombie St.

KILLARNEY STREET – In the 1880s Mr Gerald Dalton built a home in this area and called it “Killiney” which is the name of a well known suburb in Dublin. However so like the famous lakes of Killarney were the beautiful headlands and bays to be seen from his home that the home and this nearby street have become “Killarney”.

KING STREET – This is now known as Queen Street (see notes Queen Street). In 1839 Mr J. C. King received a tract of 150 acres in the area for the sum of £86.15.0. His discovery of silica at Botany brought him a rebate of £77.12.6. so the land cost him but the equivalent of 12 cents per acre.

KING MAX STREET – There is nothing to suggest this name has anything to do with the Emperors of either Bavaria or Mexico. One suggestion is that it was the name of a mediocre racehorse. King Max Street was formed by the surveyors of the J. S. King Estate. Originally it was much longer but presented difficulties having been laid out on paper only, being a compass road running north and south.

KIORA AVENUE – New Zealand name sometimes spelt Kia Ora. A subdivision approved by Council 13/12/1921.

KIRKOSWALD AVENUE – In the early days Mr J. Willis owned a home “Kirk-Oswald” which is now No. 2 Kirkoswald Avenue.

KOOWONG AVENUE – This would appear to be a native word. In 1950 it was gazetted as a new road in Quakers Hat Subdivision off Quakers Road running south easterly.

KURRIM AVENUE – This became Morella Road in 1925.

LANG STREET – The date of the establishment of this street (1899) eliminates the forthright politician and Premier of New South Wales. It is part of the only leasehold estate in Mosman. The lessors are the Symons Estate. Mrs Symons Campbell who lived in the area was a Miss Lane. We have Eric Lane in the area. Eric Symons was the lessor of the Symons Estate which is often referred to as the Lang Estate.

LAVONI STREET – This was at one time Lavona Street. It has been suggested that this is of Fijian origin. Lovoni is derived from the original name Lovo-ni-Bokola which means “oven for the slave”. The people of Lovoni were a very strong tribe who raided the coastal villages and took their prisoners back and cooked them in a native earth oven (lovo).

LAWRY PARADE – Tom Lawry, owner of a large estate at Balmoral named Lawry Parade after himself. It became The Esplanade 19/10/1934.

LEEWIN STREET – This was a short street off Spofforth Street.

LENNON STREET – This street became The Crescent 5/8/1927. Named by John Gouldsbury Lennon. There was confusion because of Lennox Street so the name was changed.

LENNOX STREET – It was formerly called Gordon Street by Mr J. C. King who owned 150 acres in the area.

LINDSAY LANE M68 – This is the documented lane running from Cowles Road to Spofforth Street. Lindsay was a given name of Mr J. L. Ballantyne.

LITTLE STREET – Named by Arthur Little, a Sydney merchant who lived in No. 17 Mandalong Road.

LUCAN STREET – It would appear that Clanalpine Street was originally Lucan Street (1871) then it was Cardigan Street or alternatively Lucan and Cardigan referred to portions which eventually became Clanalpine Street. Lord Lucan led troops in the charge of the Light Brigade and at Balaklava.

MACKIE LANE M77 – Mackie Lane is the L shaped lane off Lang Street. It derived its name from John Mackie Ferguson who was the first lessee of the Lang Estate.

MACLEAN CRESCENT – A new road in Rosherville Beach Subdivision gazetted 2/6/1961. Mr John McLean (different spelling) owned land in the area which later became the property of Mr John Armitage.

MACPHERSON STREET – This important thoroughfare was first known as Middle Harbour Road, but as it was the track to the home of Mr Macpherson his name remains. In 1895 the Mosman Council reported “Macpherson Street (50 chains) the whole of £25 will be required to repair the road”.

MAGIC GROVE – Descriptive or alternatively called after a yacht owned by Mr J. R. Fairfax. The road was built in 1882.

MAJOR STREET – This name was chosen by Mr J. C. King who owned 150 acres in the area. There may have been a Major Simpson.

MANDALONG ROAD – This was sometimes spelt Mandolong (in 1916 street directory). Mr Arthur Little owned a home Mandolong, now No. 17 in that road. In early days Mandolong Road was called Balmoral Road.

MANDOLONG LANE M29 – This is a local name for the lane from Almora Street to Mandolong Road.

MARGARET STREET – Margaret was one of the three daughters of Mr David Thompson. It became Iluka Road 12/12/1922.

MARKHAM CLOSE – This is in the Georges Heights Military Reserve and has been built since 1968. It refers to the Markham Valley in New Guinea which was well known in World War II.

MARSALA STREET – On 22/12/1961 part of Government Road became Marsala Street. This appears to have been originally Adie St.

MARY STREET – Mary was a daughter of Mr D. Thompson. Mary Street became Kardinia Road on 12/12/1922.

MASSEY STREET – The 1891 Postal Directory states that Massey Street had only two residents, Mr Murphy and Mr Welsh. The location of Massey Street is unknown.

McBURNEY STREET – Mr McBurney was a member of St. Leonards Council which had jurisdiction over Mosman till the Mosman Municipal Council was formed in 1893. Seems now to have given way to Moran Street and Sverge Street.

McCLEOD STREET – This street was named by R. H. Harnett about 1880. People would like to connect it with William McLeod of “The Bulletin” who lived in Dunvegan nearby, but even before that the street was known as McLeod.

MEDUSA STREET – This street was named by R. C. Hamett and was possibly the name of a visiting ship or local yacht.

MELALEUCA ROAD – Melaleuca is an almost exclusively Australian genus of plants of the family Myrtaceae mostly known as tea trees. Melaleuca Road became a part of Muston Street on the 12/12/1922.

MELALEUCA LANE M24 – This lane runs from Mandolong Road to the end of Redan Street.

MELROSE STREET – This was the name of a home owned by Mr Layton, now No. 10 Melrose Street.

MERCEDES STREET – This street ran from Earl Street to Vincenz Street (now Awaba Street).

METHUEN AVENUE – This name is a reminder of the South African War.

MIDDLE STREET – Prior to 1919 this street was changed to Vernon Street then in 1953 it became Carrington Avenue.

MIDDLE HARBOUR ROAD – This was the name of the track to the home of Mr Macpherson and eventually became Macpherson St.

MIDDLE HEAD ROAD – This was a track from the North Shore used by teamsters, horsemen and pedestrians. Built in 1870 with money voted by the State Government. It was originally part of Military Road and received its new name in 1922.

MILITARY ROAD – Built 1870 at State Government expense to give access to the fortifications owing to a war scare. Part of Military Road was for a time known as Balaklava Road (Battle of Balaklava 1854).

MILNER STREET – Probably given this name for Viscount Alfred Milber Imperial Statesman who served in South Africa – Secretary for War 1918. Secretary for the Colonies 1919-1921.

MILLETT ROAD – Mr Millett (London Bank of Aust.) was banker to Mr Harnett. Mr Millett lived for a time in “The Rangers”.

MILTON AVENUE – This was formerly New Street but we are told it was changed at the suggestion of Rev. C. Yarrington who admired the poetry of Milton.

MISTRAL AVENUE – Both of the Harnetts were enthusiastic yachtsmen. Mistral was a well known yacht which belonged to Mr H. C. Docker. Road was built in 1882.

MITCHELL ROAD – This is a reminder of Mr F. Mitchell who held a grant of 200 acres. The Wilsons Street Directory of 1916 shows it as Mitchell’s Road.

MORAN STREET – Was formerly part of McBurney Street but was renamed Moran Street. Mr Richard Moran was a member of the first Mosman Council 1893 and had a Stevedoring business (Moran & Lutge).

MORELLA ROAD – This was formerly Sarah Street. Morella is an aboriginal word meaning “hill”. A portion of David Street was renamed Morella Road 9/4/1925 having been or a time Reserved Lane.

MORUBEN ROAD – One resident wrote to the Council of 1896: – “That he had got over his boot-tops in mud near his house (Moruben Road) and asked that Council start making the road, but perhaps some ashes might help meantime”. A sympathetic Council resolved “That the foot path at the side of Mr. B’s residence be formed at a cost of 10/-”.

MOSMAN STREET – Formerly Upper Avenue Road. Named for Archibald Mosman. In 1884 the .State Government aligned this street which was then built by the St. Leonards Council. Archibald Mosman received a grant of 30 acres in the area 7/2/183 5.

MULBRING STREET – Aboriginal.

MUSGRAVE STREET – Could this be Sir Anthony Musgrave who was Governor of South Australia in 1873 and Governor of Queensland in 1883? Musgrave Street was constructed in 1876.

MUSTON STREET – Formerly known as France Street and Melaleuca Street. Mr Arthur Muston, an early resident and well known City businessman gave his name to this street. He built what was known as “Muston’s Model Township” in the vicinity of Gladstone and Keston Avenues. The change from Melaleuca Street to Muston Street was gazetted on 12/12/1922.

MYAHGAH ROAD – Myahgah is an aboriginal word meaning “place of meditation”; it intimated that he did not wish to accompany his companions on some hunting or other excursion, but, like the film star, preferred “to be left alone”. Myahgah was the residence in Belmont Road of Mr C. Cowles, a member of the first Mosman Council 1893 and Mayor in 1894.

NATHAN STREET – Prior to 1919 Harbour Street was known as Nathan St. Mr Charles Nathan owned estates in Mosman one being in the area bounded by Cowles Road, Belmont Road and Bardwell Road.

NATHAN LANE M66 – Nathan Lane is the local name for Vista Street to Gurrical Street.

NELL STREET – This led to Obelisk Bay. One travelled by Military Road (now Middle Head Road) and Patonga Road to reach it.

NEW STREET – This street has now become Milton Avenue.

NOBLE STREET – Possibly called after Mr J. Noble, a member of the first Mosman Council. Mayor 1897-8. He was a builder and Government contractor and lived in Shellbank in Wyong Road. It was formerly Archer Lane and was changed to Noble Street at a Council Meeting 27/3/1917. Change of name not advertised says a Mosman Council Memo.

NOCK LANE M57 – This documented lane runs from Avenue Road to Shadforth Street and is sometimes called Reid Street. Thomas Nock built the first house in Shadforth Street and was one of the founders of St. Clements Church. He bought the land in 1880 for £790 to prevent a hotel being built there. The house was called Woodside (No. 76).

NOLAN STREET – Calypso Avenue was for a time known as Nolan Street.

NORRIS STREET – This ran from Avenue Road to Spofforth Street (1919). It had previously been called Rangers Avenue and later the name was changed back to Rangers Avenue.

ORLANDO AVENUE – This referred to a British Man of War which was stationed in Australian waters.

ORPHEUS LANE M43 – This is a documented lane easterly off Beaconsfield Road. It is known locally as Frascatti Lane. HMS Orpheus was a ship on the Australian Station about 1873.

OSWALD STREET – Oswald was the Christian name ofBrierley the marine painter who arrived in 1842 in the Wanderer. He painted on the dining room wall of “The Rangers” a painting “HMS Rattlesnake in a Storm off Timor”. The Christian name of Mr Bloxsome who built “The Rangers” was also Oswald.

OURIMBAH ROAD – Ourimbah indicated to the aborigines “a sacred circle or initiation ground”.

PARK AVENUE – This refers to the view from this street of Reid Park.

PARIWI STREET – This was an early name for the northern end of Harbour Street.

PARRIWI ROAD – This road was built 1898-1900 and was prior to 1916 known as Pariwa. Parriwi is an aboriginal word and means “east point”.

PATONGA ROAD – Patonga is an aboriginal word meaning “small wallaby”. This was off Military Road (the part now known as Middle Head Road) near the Military Reserve.

PEARL BAY AVENUE – Pearl Bay was the descriptive name given to the nearby bay. There is evidence that HMS Pearl was on the Australian Station from 1873-1875. It seems highly probable, therefore, that a warship, and not as popularly supposed, a gem, inspired Pearl Bay and its avenue.

PELL STREET – This was the easterly end of Kirkoswald Avenue. Morris B. Pell was a professor of Mathematics at Sydney University – a member of the Water & Sewerage Board and a Trustee of Sydney Grammar School.

PINDARI AVENUE – Pindari Avenue was so named and gazetted on 10/2/1950. It had previously been a part of Central Avenue. Pindari is an aboriginal word and means “high ground”.

PLUNKETT ROAD – Tom Lawry owned a large estate at Balmoral and gave his brother-in-law’s name to this road. It was gazetted 5/8/1927.

POST OFFICE LANE M34 – This is a documented lane running from Almora Street to the rear of the Post Office. (Mosman’s early Post Office can be seen from this lane.)

PRETORIA AVENUE – This was named after Australian soldiers participated in the South African War.

PRINCE ALBERT STREET – This street was named by Mr J. C. King to honour the Consort of Queen Victoria. It was for a time called Prince Alfred Street, possibly in error.

PRINCE STREET –

PROVINCIAL ROAD – For a while portion of Raglan Street was known as Provincial Road.

PUNCH STREET – Mr Punch was a member of the St. Leonards Council which controlled the area till Mosman became a municipality in 1893.

PURSELL AVENUE – This street received its name from Ald. Frank Grenville Pursell who was Mayor of Mosman 1939-1940. He still lives in the area and was a member of the well known Insurance Broking firm.

QUAKER STREET – This street was between and parallel to Cowles Road and Vista Street. This is now Harbour Street which has also been known as Nathan Street and Pariwi Street.

QUAKERS HAT ROAD – This was originally known as Harbour Road and takes its name from the point itself which in outline resembles that type of head-gear.

QUEEN STREET – Originally only the portion between Bradley’s Head Road and Prince Albert Street was so named. The portion between Prince Albert Street and Raglan Street (then Curraghneena Road) was named King Street for Mr J.C. King.

RAGLAN STREET – Prior to 1893 road making in this area was the responsibility of the St. Leonards Council but Mr Harnett “complains often and bitterly of that Council’s neglect to do anything in the Mosman ward”. He writes “I had to keep all the roads and tracks in order from 1872-1884 east of Thrupps Grant (Neutral Bay) – To make Curraghbeena Road (Raglan Street) at heavy cost”. In 1893 Raglan Street became the first Macadamised (metal) road. In 1895 Council reported “Raglan Street East (54 chains) 10 feet track to Balmoral. The sum of £95 is considered sufficient for this work, the track being random with moderately heavy gradients”. Mr J. Carroll adds “To any resident who can remember this track the word ‘random’ is delightful”. Parts of Raglan Street were previously known as Provincial Road and Curraghbeena Road. W. Meadow Brownrigg, a surveyor veteran of the Crimean War 1854, gave us Raglan Street for Lord Raglan Commander in Chief in the Crimea (d. 1855).

RANGERS ROAD – This road led to the home of Mr A. Bloxsome. Erected in 1844 and called “The Rangers”, it stood in 40 acres of parkland for which he paid £100. It was demolished in 1914. Part of Rangers Road was known up to 1916 as Norris Street.

RAWSON STREET – Sir Harry Rawson was Governor of New South Wales from 1902-1909, after whom this street was named.

REDAN STREET – This was formerly Sebastopol Street. Redan and Sebastopol are both names that came to us from the Crimean War.

REDAN LANE M33 – This is the local name for the lane running from Almora Street to the rear of Middle Head Road.

REID STREET – This is the local name for Lane M57 and documented as Nock Lane.

REGINALD STREET – Reginald Bloxsome was the grandson of Mr Bloxsome who built “The Rangers”.

RESERVED LANE – This lane became Morella Road 9/4/1925.

RICKARD AVENUE – Called after Sir Arthur Rickard, the founder of the Millions Club.

ROSE CRESCENT – This was formerly known as Trumfield Street. It was changed to Rose Crescent to honour Mr Hugh Rose, Mayor 1899-1900. He helped to raise money to buy land for Mosman Park and formed Mosman’s first Volunteer Fire Brigade.

ROSEBERY STREET – The Earl of Rosebery was a British politician and statesman. He was Foreign Secretary 1886 and 1892 and Prime Minister 1894-1895.

ROSHERVILLE ROAD – Rosherville Beach was so named by Mr R. Harnett. The name came from a resort near Gravesend, England, where the owner described it as “The place to spend a happy day”. About 1862, one named Hamilton ran a dance hall and picnic ground in the area.

ROYALIST ROAD – The Royalist was the name of a British Man of War at times stationed in Australian waters.

RUBY STREET – Mr W. H. Smith, one of Mosman’s best builders and Mayor of Mosman 1915-1917, named Ruby Street after a favourite daughter who had died.

RUVE STREET – On 5/8/1927 Ruve Street became Lawry Parade and later The Esplanade.

RYAN AVENUE – Mr C. Ryan, a New Zealander and inventor of the metal boot-lace, gave his name to Ryan Avenue. His home is now No. 9 Balmoral Avenue. As in 1834 one Thomas Ryan had a grant of 20 acres nearby, there may have been a possible connection.

RYRIE STREET – This name remembers Sir Granville Ryrie MLA 1906-09 and Brigadier General in World War I 1914-18.

SABINA STREET –

SARAH STREET – Sarah was a daughter of Mr D. Thompson. On 12/12/1922 Sarah Street became part of Morella Road. Sarah Street led to Clifton Gardens Wharf.

SEAVIEW STREET – This was an early name for a part of Glover Street.

SEBASTOPOL – Sebastopol is a Russian port and fortress made famous for its siege 1854-1855 in the Crimean War. It has now become a part of Redan Street.

SHADFORTH STREET – Colonel Shadforth of the 57th Regiment was killed attacking the Redan in the Crimean War 1855. Originally Shadforth Street ran from Canrobert Street to Avenue Road – the other portion was known as Fitzroy Street.

SHADFORTH STREET (LANE) M59 – This leads from Avenue Road to Shadforth Street.

SHELLBANK AVENUE – Mr J. Noble, a member of the first Mosman Council, lived in the area in a home known as Shellbank which is now 73 Wyong Road.

SHORT STREET – This being a short street the name is probably only explanatory.

SILEX ROAD – Mr J. C. King received a grant of 150 acres in the Bradley’s Head area and called it Silex. The reason for the name was that he had received a rebate of the purchase money on account of his discovery of sand at Botany suitable for export to England for the making of glass of which silica (silex) is a basic ingredient (1839).

SIMPSON STREET – Mr J. C. King named this street and Major Street nearby. It is thought there may have been a Major Simpson.

SIRIUS AVENUE – The HMS Sirius was the flagship of the First Fleet and Mosman Bay, or Carreening Cove as it was at first known, was chosen as a sheltered spot for the refit and careening of HMS Sirius after it had made a gruelling voyage round the world in 1789.

SIRIUS COVE ROAD – HMS Sirius was the flagship of the First Fleet.

SOMERSET STREET – Probably called after Admiral Somerset who was present at the bombardment of Alexandria in 1882.

SPENCER ROAD –

SPENCER LANE M62 –

SPIT ROAD – This is the road leading to what was once called the Sand Spit, Middle Harbour. The native name for the area was Burra-Bra. The Government aligned the Old Spit Road in 1880.

SPOFFORTH STREET – This was named by the Harnetts to honour Frederick Robert Spofforth who made his name as a bowler in the first cricket team to “invade” England in 1878. In one Test Match he took 14 wickets. He was born in Sydney in 1855 and died in England in 1926.

STANLEY AVENUE – Mr Stanley lived in No. 17 of this avenue now known as “Merriwa”, formerly “Glenmire”. Its portico is one of the architectural gems of Mosman. “Merriwa” is now the home of Mr and Mrs Felstead.

STANTON ROAD – Stanton was the Christian name of the eldest son of Mr George Senior who owned all the land in that street from Spit Road to Moruben Road. Stanton Senior was son-in-law to Mr Holterman who built Holtermans Towers which is now part of “Shore” School.

STANTON LANE M13 – This lane leads via steps from Spit Road to Bapaume Road.

ST. ELMO STREET – Our only explanation is the story of St. Elmo Fires. Our air men are well acquainted with St. Elmo Fires but how do we apply the Bishop of Burgos and his miraculous lamp to Mosman?

SUAKIN DRIVE – This is in the George’s Heights military reserve. Suakin is a Red Sea port of the Sudan.

SUPERBA PARADE – This refers to the splendid views obtained in this locality.

SVERGE STREET – An early purchaser in the Little Sirius Cove area was C. F. F. Blix who built the first trafficable bridge over Mosman Bay 1880. He left us Sverge Street as an appropriate reminder of his native land Sweden.

SYBERG LANE M36 – This documented lane runs from Mulbring Street to Dugald Road. Mr Syberg, an employee of the old North Shore Ferry Company, lived nearby in No. 22 Gordon Street.

TAR LANE – This is the local name for the lane which is the top end of Mulbring Street.

THE CRESCENT – This describes the course of the street which was formerly known as Lennon Street.

THE ESPLANADE – Our dictionary tells us that an esplanade is a place to walk or drive by the seaside so this name is very apt. The Esplanade is a result of the re-naming of Lawry Parade 19/10/1934. Earlier it had been Ruve Street.

THE GROVE – This is descriptive of the area. Prior to 27/2/1926 it was known as Arthur Street.

THOMASINE STREET – Thomasine Street is now part of Cabramatta Road. It lay between Bardwell Road and Cowles Road.

THOMPSON STREET – David Thompson built the Clifton Gardens Hotel (now demolished). He held 56 acres in the area.

TIVOLI STREET – Mr Rhode owned two homes in Mosman named “Tivoli”. The first was renamed Clencarron and on demolition left its name to the present avenue. The second “Tivoli” was on the corner of Fairfax Road and Parriwi Road.

TREWIN ST. OR TREWYN RD. – On the 1/5/1929 this street became Botanic Road.

TRIM STREET – We are told there was a Trim Street off Harston Avenue but there is little evidence to show that this was ever built. It is shown in a Mosman map of 1916.

TRUMFIELD STREET – This is now Rose Crescent. Mrs Trumfield owned a block of land in the area. Mr Trumfield was a painter (1884). Sometimes occurs with a “p” – Trumpfield.

TRUMFIELD LANE M55 – This lane runs from Mosman Street to McLeod Street.

TURKEY STREET – This was an early name for Belmont Road. It refers to the Boer War.

UNION STREET – This was named by Mr King of the Silex Estate. He may have named it thus as it is a union between two other streets in his Estate – Bradley’s Head and Prince Albert Street.

UPPER SPIT ROAD – Upper Spit Road originally run north from Bickell Road. This road is now known as Spit Road and Upper Spit Road is now the short spur leading to Parriwi Park which was constructed in 1922.

VERNON STREET – In 1953 Vernon Street became a part of Carrington Avenue. Mr Vernon was a member of the St. Leonards Council before the separation and was a contemporary of Mr R. Harnett.

VIEW STREET – (1) Prior to 1919 the lower northern end of Hale Road was known as View Street. (2) Prior to 1921 Vista Street was known as View Street.

VINCENZ STREET – Vincenz Zahel held 25 acres – left us Vincenz Street but as it afterwards became an extension of Awaba Street the Vincenz was dropped. Possibly the Council may have thought that this veyr old North Shore resident still retained anti-national sympathies. It was gazetted as Awaba Street West on 5/8/1927.

VIOLET STREET – On 16/9/1938 Violet Street became Sirius Avenue. Violet was the name of a yacht owned by Mr F. J. Jackson, a friend of the Harnetts.

VISTA STREET – This is in one of the first subdivisions at Spit Junction. Land sold here from 10/- to 15/- per foot. At the time there was a good view of the harbour, now built out by surrounding houses. Its early name was View Street but this was changed prior to 1921.

WAITOVU STREET – Waitovu is derived from the original Fijian name Wai Tovutovula which means “bad water”. A Council resolution passed in 1896 explains this – “That a conspicuous notice be posted in suitable places warning people against using water for drinking purposes which may have been obtained from gullies or wells in the vicinity of Balmoral Beach…”. The owner of the estate was Mr George Morgan who had lived in Fiji.

WALLINGTON ROAD – Captain E. W. Wallington was private secretary to Lord Hopetoun (1900).

WANT STREET – The origin of this name is not known.

WARRINGAH ROAD – This road received its name from either Warringah meaning “signs of rain” or Warringa meaning “sea”. In early maps we have the spelling Warringa Road. Prior to 1919 it was known as Wycombe Road.

WARRINGAH LANE M10 – This lane leads from Warringah Road to Tivoli Street.

WATER LANE M53 – This lane runs from Prince Albert Street to Sirius Cove Road.

WENBAN LANE M38 – This lane runs from Dugald Road to Lane M39 in a southerly direction. Mr Sid Wenban, an early house painter, lived in a house adjoining.

WHARF ROAD – This was changed to Burrawong Avenue on the 29/4/1926. There was a wharf at the unmade southerly end.

WHITING BEACH ROAD – Whiting Beach probably got its name because succulent fish were plentiful in the area.

WINDWARD AVENUE – Up till 11/9/53 this was a lane like extension of Coronation Avenue. The name suggests it was called after a yacht.

WOLGER ROAD – Wolger is the aboriginal name for “high hill”.

WELLESLEY ROAD – This was formerly part of Wolseley Road and may be only a change in spelling. Marquess Wellesley was the elder brother of the Duke of Wellington so it may be a wartime connection of which Mosman has many. Hon. Major Wellesley was the quarter master general. He was killed in battle at the Battle of the Alma 1854.

WOLSELEY ROAD – Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley (1833-1913) led the expedition to the relief of Gordon in the Sudan in 1844. We note Gordon Street nearby. The eastern end of Wolseley Road was called Wellesley Rd.

WUDGONG STREET – Aboriginal.

WUNDA ROAD – The origin of this name is probably aboriginal.

WYARGINE STREET – The origin of this name is probably aboriginal.

WYCOMBE ROAD – Wycombe in England was where Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Beaconsfield had his country seat, Hughenden Manor, and where he is buried. Prior to 1919 Warringah Road was known as Wycombe Road.

WYONG ROAD – Wyong described, to the aboriginals “a place of running water where Christmas bells grow”.