Ironically North Willoughby was actually the original of the two names. This is North Willoughby. It is a small suburb on Sydney’s lower north shore. We are about 9 km north of Sydney CBD. North Willoughby achieved separate suburb status from Willoughby in the 1990s. This is currently under research.
Let’s step back in time. In 1865, the Municipality of North Willoughby was declared. There were only 400 residents then. The name Willoughby came from Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell. He named it in honour of his friend Sir James Willoughby Gordon. Gordon was a quarter-master general of the Horse Guards in London.
In 1890, Lane Cove became a separate municipality. North Willoughby was then renamed Willoughby. Today, the local government area is still Willoughby City. But the main operations and commerce are mostly in Chatswood. North Willoughby is now in the Middle Harbour ward.
Imagine the early 1900s to 1920s. The area was mostly dairy farms. There were also tanneries and Chinese market gardens. A general store stood on Penshurst Street. The Hotel Willoughby is still on the corner of Penshurst and MacMahon Streets. It served residential guests from its own farm.
Development grew in 1898. Tram services extended to the corner of Penshurst Street and Victoria Avenue. By 1908, trams reached Chatswood station. The trams stopped running in 1958. Buses replaced them. Today, state government buses are the only public transport here.
North Willoughby’s streets were largely built in the 1920s and 1930s. The dominant style was the Californian bungalow. Some of the best original architecture is on Glover Street. You can also see it on Alexander Avenue, Bedford Street, Warrane Road and High Street. The oldest examples are on High Street and Penshurst Street.
Most of North Willoughby is low density residential. There is little commercial or industrial zoning. Apartments are on Penshurst Street. They also border Chatswood’s higher-density zone to the west.
In 2021, North Willoughby had a population of 4,161. 61.4% of residents were born in Australia. The next most common birthplaces were China, England and Hong Kong. 64.4% spoke only English at home. Other languages included Mandarin and Cantonese. The most common religions were no religion, Catholic and Anglican.
A small group of shops and cafes is on Penshurst Street. This includes the Willoughby Hotel. Another landmark is Rosewall. It is a two-storey home in the Georgian style, made of sandstone. It was built in the 1880s for the Forsyth family. They ran tanneries here. Rosewall and Forsyth Streets are named after the house and family.
Today, North Willoughby balances its historical roots with modern life. Its quiet streets and diverse community create a unique Sydney suburb. As we conclude our visit to North Willoughby, consider its evolution. From dairy farms to a residential haven, it remains a cherished part of Sydney’s story.