Born from the whispers of Wallumatta Ryde’s story unfolds. Originally known by its Aboriginal name this land saw the first land grants in 1792. These were given to eight marines. Governor Phillip named the area the Field of Mars. This reflected the military presence. The name Ryde however came much later. It’s believed to have been chosen by G M Pope. He hailed from Ryde on the Isle of Wight. He settled here opening the Ryde Store.
Ryde became the administrative center of the City of Ryde. It sits on the Parramatta River’s northern bank. The oldest settler’s cottage in Australia stands here. This is Addington House. It was built around 1800 by emancipist James Stewart. James Shepherd later expanded it. Addington is on the NSW Heritage Register and the National Trust of NSW.
Other historical gems dot Ryde’s landscape. The Ryde police station is a simple sandstone structure. It was designed by Mortimer Lewis. It was built in 1837. Willandra a Georgian home built around 1845 by the Devlin family stands tall. It once served as an art gallery. Now it’s the Ryde and District Historical Society headquarters. Both are listed on the Register of the National Estate.
Ryde’s history extends beyond grand houses. The Ryde Public School opened in 1892. Its two-storey sandstone Infants Department remains a heritage-listed testament to the past. Riversdale a cottage in Wade Street once housed Robert Gascoigne a well-known riverboat captain. The Builders Labourers Federation organized a green ban in 1973. This was to save Dunbar Park from becoming a rubbish tip.
Ryde’s location atop a hill gave it the nickname Top Ryde. The Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre hosted 2000 Summer Olympics events. It replaced the older Ryde Swimming Centre. Trams once connected Ryde to other parts of Sydney. They ran along Victoria Road crossing the Iron Cove Bridge and the former Gladesville Bridge. Their journey ended near Pope and Devlin Streets.
St Anne’s Anglican Church on Church Street holds a special place in Ryde’s heart. Here lies Maria Ann Sherwood Smith. She’s credited with the discovery of the Granny Smith apple. The church built in 1826 and later expanded is on the Register of the National Estate. Ryde’s story is a tapestry woven from Aboriginal heritage early colonial settlements and ongoing community spirit. It’s a story waiting to be discovered on every corner.