Hornsby

Abstract

Hornsby, in the parish of South Colah, is about 180 metres above sea level and is the administrative centre of Hornsby Shire. The first inhabitants of the area were from the Dharug language group. Timbergetting was the first industry around Hornsby, with the felling of the blue gums and ironbarks that grew along the ridges. One of the first permanent residents, Thomas Edward Higgins, settled in the district in 1832 although he had been granted land in Old Man’s Valley in 1824. He started selling timber from the valley in 1835 and also made a living from farming the rich alluvial soils and establishing orchards on the slopes of Old Man’s Valley, so named because of the ‘old man’ kangaroos that grazed there. Now called Hornsby Valley, it is the site of an ancient volcano and was quarried for more than 100 years, producing gravel and road base. Geologically it is of interest because of its unusual volcanic diatremes or plugs.