Whaling. Really? Mosman was once a hub for this industry. It is hard to imagine it now. Mosman is known for its beautiful streets and prestigious houses. But it wasn’t always like this.
Let’s dive into the surprising story of Mosman. This harbourside suburb has a rich past. It goes beyond just stunning views and expensive real estate.
The Borogegal tribe were the original inhabitants. They lived in the bushland for centuries. They called the stretch of water between Chowder Bay and Obelisk Beach ‘Taliangy’.
One of the early owners of Mosman land was an Aboriginal man named Bungaree. Governor Lachlan Macquarie granted him land. This is now known as George’s Head. He farmed fruit and other produce there.
In the 1800s, American whalers noticed whales migrating past the heads. They began anchoring in Curlew Bay. Soon, Mosman became home to a whaling station. The lower north shore location was chosen because whaling was a stinky business. People didn’t want the stench in Sydney Cove. Archibald Mosman and John Bell received land grants in 1831 to start a whaling station. By 1833, the whaling station was running. Archibald Mosman built his home. It was called ‘The Nest’. It overlooked the bay. The whaling industry thrived. Archibald Mosman sold the business in 1838. He then moved to Glen Innes. Whaling declined in the 1840s. Mosman Bay was then used for ship overhauling for ten years.
Mosman’s clifftop setting made it a potential military stronghold. Convict labor built fortifications. These were at Middle Head, George’s Head and Bradley’s Head. They formed a network of harbourside defenses.
In the late 1800s, Mosman became an artistic hotspot. Artists were inspired by European art movements. This included Impressionism. They also were inspired by painting en plein air. Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts camped around Mosman. They captured the beautiful scenery. This scenery inspires artists today.
Richard Hayes Harnett Senior played a big role in opening up Mosman. In 1859, he started buying Archibald Mosman’s original 108 acres. Over 30 years, he built roads. He also started a horse-drawn bus service and ferry services to Sydney. The Mosman waterfall was a main attraction. Pleasure grounds and picnic resorts popped up. They catered to visitors, especially on weekends.
In 1878, Harnett Snr. opened a sandstone quarry at Mosman Bay. It produced quality sandstone. This sandstone was used in historic buildings across Australia.
In 1893, Mosman became a separate municipality. Richard Hayes Harnett Junior was the first mayor.
Today, Mosman is a thriving community. It is known for its liveability and family-friendly environment. While whaling is a distant memory, Mosman’s history remains. It is a blend of Aboriginal heritage, maritime activity, and artistic inspiration.