Imagine Allan Kerr Taylor surveying this land. He saw not just swampland but a future suburb. This is Morningside. It is a place with a fascinating story.
Morningside sits four kilometers southwest of Auckland’s city center. It is near Eden Park and Western Springs Reserve. This suburb has a unique history. It began as swampland known to Tāmaki Māori as Ngā Anawai. This refers to water-filled lava-flow caves. These caves formed over 30,000 years ago. Maungawhau and Mount Albert created them.
In 1841, Ngāti Whātua sold the Mount Albert area to the Crown. This included Morningside as part of a 12,000-acre section. The rough terrain slowed development. New North Road was established in the 1860s. It provided access and an alternative route.
Allan Kerr Taylor played a key role. He was a major landowner. In 1865, he subdivided his land. He created a village and named it Morningside. The name came from a Scottish mental asylum. His brothers joked he was mad to buy the swampy land.
Morningside railway station opened in 1880. This connected the suburb to Auckland city. The suburb grew slowly at first. Kingsland, closer to the city, grew faster. The Shawville housing estate was sold off in 1910.
The extension of the tramline in 1912 boosted Morningside. The suburb grew as a community. The shops on New North Road became a central hub. The old Mount Albert Borough Council building is still a landmark. It is a reminder of Morningside’s past.
Morningside has a diverse population. As of June 2024, around 4,100 people called it home. The area covers 1.09 square kilometers.
Morningside has several notable spots. Fowlds Park hosts the Mount Albert Lions. The Auckland Irish Club also calls it home. The Morningside Church of Christ opened in 1911. It was originally the Wm. Moor Memorial Hall. The Morningside village offers various dining and entertainment options. School Reserve marks the former site of Mount Albert Primary. It operated from 1871 to 1940.
Morningside is more than just a suburb. It is a place shaped by visionaries like Allan Kerr Taylor. He transformed swampland into a thriving community. Next time you are here, remember the lava caves beneath your feet. Remember the determination of its early residents. This is Morningside, a suburb built on dreams and determination.