Five thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine souls. That’s how many people call Eagle Vale home. Can you imagine the stories woven into the fabric of this southwestern Sydney suburb? Eagle Vale’s history is a tapestry woven from convict grants and wealthy widows.
It all began with Thomas Clarkson. An ex-convict. A baker. He received a 100-acre land grant. He built Woodland Grove. This covered much of modern-day Eagle Vale. After his death in 1826 Jemima Jenkins bought the property. She was a rich widow. The founder of the Bank of New South Wales’s widow to be exact. She renamed it Eagle Farm. Eagle Vale got its name from two creeks: Eagle Creek and Valebrook Creek. They’re now flood retention basins and stormwater channels.
Later the Kearns family bought a large part of the western side. They expanded their Epping Forest property. Eventually William Fowler bought the land. He named it Eschol Park. The name Eagle Vale faded into obscurity. It didn’t reappear until 1976. The Highlands property was subdivided for housing. Eagle Vale was reborn.
The low land prices attracted young families. But Eagle Vale struggled with a negative image. This was partly due to its proximity to Claymore. Claymore was a public housing estate with a bad reputation. Residents of Eagle Vale even lobbied to change the suburb boundaries. This was to avoid being associated with Claymore. They succeeded in 1986. That’s why some streets in eastern Eagle Vale have names of Great Australian Artists. They follow Claymore’s naming theme instead of Eagle Vale’s mineral and gemstone theme.
Eagle Vale has many parks. Thomas Clarkson Reserve sits on the former route of Eagle Creek. It features the original ornamental pond from the Jenkins estate. Nearby Kearns and Eschol Park have parks named after Jemima Jenkins and William Fowler respectively. Valebrook Reserve marks the site of Valebrook Creek.
Eagle Vale also has a darker side. Infamous serial killer Ivan Milat lived at 22 Cinnabar Street. He was arrested in 1994. His house was later sold. The Eagle Vale Marketplace shopping centre opened in 1995. A police station followed in 2000. Eagle Vale Leisure Centre opened in 1993. The Eagle Vale Branch Library was added in 2003. Eagle Vale High School opened in 1984. Mary Immaculate Catholic primary school opened in 1986.
Eagle Vale. A place of humble beginnings. A place of growth and change. A place where history and modern life intertwine. A place with its own unique story. A story you are now a part of.