Once called White Flats, Croydon has transformed over time. Imagine the coarse, silvery-white grass that once dominated this area. Today, we’re standing in Croydon, a vibrant suburb east of Melbourne. It’s a place with a unique history.
Croydon is located 30 kilometers east of Melbourne’s Central Business District. The Lacey family, hailing from Essex, England, gave Croydon its name. Mrs. Lacey preferred it over her husband’s hometown, Steeple Bumpstead. You can even find a street named after the Lacey family near Main St shopping precinct.
Originally, the land was used for grazing back in 1840. The first road through Croydon was Sawmill Road, named after a nearby sawmill. Later, it became Oxford Road and then Mt Dandenong Road in the early 1900s.
In 1868, people built the first habitations. They used wattle and daub. Later, they rebuilt them with timber. The area thrived with sheep, beef, dairy farming, and sawmills. Orchards soon followed, producing apples, cherries, pears, peaches, and plums. Street names around Croydon still reflect this orchard history.
Cobb & Co. started running horses and carts to the area, also known as Brushy Creek, in 1874. In 1882, a single rail track was built to Lilydale. The station opened on December 1, 1882. It was initially called Warrandyte. This caused confusion. Travelers expected to arrive near the Yarra River. On August 1, 1884, it was renamed Croydon railway station.
From the mid-1880s, Croydon began to develop rapidly. Mr. James Hewish constructed his home. He also started several businesses. These included a general store, news agency, butcher shop, and hotel. He planted various orchard trees as well. The Post Office opened on December 1, 1883, after the railway line was established.
Croydon Hall was built on Mt Dandenong Road in 1908. It is now home to EV’s Entertainment Centre. Croydon was officially proclaimed a town in 1912. The Croydon section of the Lilydale railway line was electrified in 1925.
A Monday market started in the early 1920s. Live animals like chickens and birds were sold there. It became a local landmark until redevelopment in the 1980s. The market finally closed in 2012.
Croydon was originally part of the Shire of Lillydale. In 1957, a request was made for Croydon to become its own entity. The Shire of Croydon was incorporated in May 1961. It was proclaimed a City in 1971. In 1994, it merged with the City of Ringwood to form the City of Maroondah.
Today, Croydon’s Main Street is a bustling hub. It boasts over 187 traders. You’ll find eateries, clothing stores, music shops, toy stores, and hairdressers. Croydon Central is a strong food and services-based neighborhood center. It’s located on the corner of Kent and Wicklow Avenue. The Croydon train station and bus terminal serve it well.
Croydon has changed significantly over the years. From its humble beginnings as White Flats to its current status as a thriving suburb, Croydon has a rich story to tell. Its history is etched in its streets, its buildings, and its people.