Fiddletown

In the heart of Hornsby Shire lies a hidden gem. A place where the echoes of fiddles once danced through the air. This is Fiddletown, a semi-rural suburb of Sydney nestled 39 kilometers north-west of the city’s bustling center. Fiddletown isn’t just a name on a map. It’s a testament to the quirky history of three young men and their love for music. In the 1890s, two brothers, Horace and Frederick Henstock, along with their friend William Small, stumbled upon this fertile land amidst the shallow Hawkesbury sandstone. They were the first landowners in Fiddletown. To secure their claim, they had to spend at least one night a week on their property. They built huts and to entertain themselves, they learned to play the violin. They practiced diligently, their fiddles filling the night air. Their music became so well-known that a local from nearby Arcadia jokingly dubbed their settlement “Fiddletown.” The name stuck, forever etching their musical legacy into the landscape. Fiddletown retains its rural charm, with orchards and properties dotting the landscape. It’s a far cry from the urban sprawl of Sydney. Northholm Grammar School stands as a modern landmark in this historically rich suburb. But the real charm of Fiddletown lies in its quiet, unassuming nature. A reminder of a time when the music of fiddles filled the air and three young men carved a home out of the wilderness. While there may not be fiddlers roaming the streets today, their spirit lives on in the name and the story of Fiddletown.