Macdonaldtown

In the heart of Sydney, nestled between Newtown, Eveleigh, and Erskineville, lies the almost forgotten neighborhood of Macdonaldtown. What happened to this once-thriving community? All that physically remains of Macdonaldtown today is its train station. But the echoes of its past, both vibrant and dark, still resonate. Macdonaldtown was named after Stephen Macdonald, a prominent landowner. The area originally flourished as a working-class hub, home to market gardeners, brickmakers, and tanners. Small Victorian cottages and terraces lined the streets, testament to the area’s industrious spirit. Streets like Amy, Flora, Eve, Coulson, and Rochford bear the names of Macdonald’s relatives, while Knight Street honors Henry Knight, the first mayor of Macdonaldtown. Macdonaldtown officially came into existence in 1872 as the “Municipal District of Macdonald Town.” It even boasted its own council, with Henry Knight taking the mayoral reins. However, the name Macdonaldtown wouldn’t last. In 1893, it was renamed Erskineville, a move driven by aspirational councillors aiming to boost property values. The name change coincided with a dark chapter in Macdonaldtown’s history: the chilling tale of John and Sarah Makin, the “baby farmers.” This couple took in infants for a fee, but instead of caring for them, they murdered them, burying their tiny bodies in their backyard. The gruesome discovery of these infant remains shocked the community. While the timing was coincidental, the Makin case became intertwined with the narrative of Macdonaldtown’s disappearance. Macdonaldtown, once a bustling center of industry and family life, faded into the background, leaving behind a single train station as its only physical reminder. Yet, its story persists, a blend of ambition, tragedy, and the ever-changing face of a city.