Historical Stroud NSW
Stroud is the historic centre of the Port Stephens Estate, established in November 1826. You may have already heard of the famous Stroud Show, but there's a lot more to this quaint village. Stroud is picturesque with rolling hills, and the village buildings take you back into time.
The town is named by Robert Dawson in 1826, as the valley reminded him of the Cotswolds countryside in England. The intention was to export the wool grown in the area to the mills in Stroud, Gloucestershire in England.
Stroud still has many surviving buildings from colonial times, including:
Stroud House (1827–32);
St John's Church (1833)
Quambi School House (the late 1830s).
Today there are many quaint houses with beautiful gardens and flowers.
POST OFFICE
Stroud's Post Office built-in 1884 is its cedar fittings. The building had a restoration in 1984.
THE COURT HOUSE
The Court House operated by the Stroud & District Historical Society and serves as a museum. The first Police Station and Court House were erected on this site by the Australian Agricultural Company in the 1840s. Can you even imagine Stroud needing a Court House? I can only imagine being in a time machine and heading back into Stroud in the early 1900s because the town still holds that simple living; it is like transporting back in time when things were less intense and complicated. You almost feel guilty bringing your mobile phone into this place of Australian history.
THE CENTRAL HOTEL
The Central Hotel offers a great bistro menu where you can dine inside the historical building or enjoy eating in the garden area.
THE CREPE MYRTLE TEA ROOMS
The Crepe Myrtle Tea Rooms offers six different dining areas including outdoors and indoors. This quaint tea house is a must-visit on your Stroud visit. As well as eating homestyle food, you will discover incredible gifts and trinkets as well as locally produced produce. The staff are helpful and friendly.
SILO HILL STROUD
Head on up to Silo Hill and witness the agricultural history of the underground silos. There's a picnic area on the hill with sensational views sweeping across the valleys. Located at the end of Broadway Street was named after eight underground silos built by convicts in 1841 to store the AAC's grain and protect it from pests.
The silos are 6 x 5 metres and internally lined with hand-made bricks. When you visit, you will only see some concrete squares; keep in mind, these silos were capable of storing 10,000 bushels of grain.
Visiting Silo Hill, you will observe two 27kg cannons manufactured in England circa 1855-1856, at the time of the Crimean War. They became part of the battery protecting Sydney Harbour in 1866 and, in 1882, were sent to Signal Hill (now Fort Scratchley) in Newcastle. By 1909 they became obsolete and transported by boat from Newcastle to Booral and then by bullock dray to their present site. Speaking of Booral, I live in Tea Gardens, so I headed up the A1 to Bulahdelah then took the road to Booral. I intentionally chose this route to experience the winding road, hugged by National Park.
View from Silo Hill
Scenic View Stroud
The Cannons - Silo Hill
View of the main street
Memorial Avenue Stroud
CEMETERY
Ada Thursby, beloved wife of J.W. Gossip, who died January 25, 1918, aged 53, and James William Gossip, who passed September 11, 1923, aged 68. Yes, you are indeed forever remembered because today, a stranger, born many years after your death, came across both of your graves because she was intrigued as to the history, and the pioneers, of this colonial town, Stroud.
CRAFTY FRIENDS
Crafty Friends offers a wide range of exciting collectables as well as the freshest eggs! I purchased my two dozen for $10 and informed told they were fresh off the farm. Also available to buy are homemade craft items, fresh produce & cakes, homemade pickles, jams & condiments, quality antiques & secondhand goods& pre-loved books.
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