Gordon is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Gordon is located 15 kilometres (9 mi) north-west of the Sydney Central Business District and is the administrative centre for the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council. East Gordon is a locality within Gordon.[1]
[edit] History
It is believed that the suburb was named by General Sir Thomas Mitchell to commemorate Sir James Willoughby Gordon, whom he had served during the Peninsular War and was the quartermaster-general in England when the First Fleet sailed to Botany Bay. The suburb of Willoughby also commemorates his name.
Gordon Public School, now used as a library, was constructed in 1878 on the Pacific Highway, having been designed by George Mansfield. A Gothic Revival style was used in accordance with the tradition that educational buildings, like churches, were designed in a Gothic style. A second block was added in 1912. The school buildings are one of the few remaining buildings that date back to the pioneering days of northern Sydney. It is listed on the Register of the National Estate.[2]
[edit] Infrastructure and development
War Memorial and Council Chambers
Gordon started off being discovered by aboriginals on a mardigra parade.
Gordon is located on a major transport artery, the Pacific Highway and the intersection of Ryde and Mona Vale Roads which form a link between the northern beaches, Homebush Bay and the St George District and Sutherland Shire.
Gordon railway station is on the North Shore Line of the CityRail network with frequent commuter services. The railway station was built in 1888 and has an important heritage relationship with its landscaped gardens; it has been preserved as an example of an historic Edwardian station. Lifts to the platforms have been a recent addition. A bus stop outside Gordon railway station is a terminus for various routes including those to St Ives, West Pymble, Mona Vale/Warriewood and Macquarie University. These are operated by two different bus companies, Shorelink and Forest Coach Lines.
Churches in Gordon comprise: St Johns Anglican Church, Gordon Uniting Church, and Gordon Baptist Church. Gordon is also the home of three schools: Ravenswood School for Girls, an all-female, kindergarten, primary and secondary independent school; Gordon East Public School, a primary school on Rosedale Road; Gordon West Public School, a primary school on Ryde Road in West Pymble. This area was previously called "West Gordon" but became part of West Pymble in 1990. The primary school retained its name because there was another public primary school already called West Pymble Public School.
[edit] Commercial
Gordon has a commercial area with many shops and restaurants along the Pacific Highway and around Gordon railway station. The largest building in Gordon, the Gordon Centre, contains many shops and offices, including a Woolworths (supermarket), a St.George Bank branch, a Gloria Jean's cafe, a Harvey Norman store, and Gordon Executive Centre serviced offices. Gordon Centre was originally built as a Farmers & Co department store, now part of Myer, but Myer closed it in 1983.
The administrative buildings for the local government area of Ku-ring-gai Council are located in Gordon.
[edit] Residential
Eryldene is a local historic house that is open to the public. Located in McIntosh Street, the house was designed for Professor Eben Gowrie Waterhouse by William Hardy Wilson and built circa 1913. The extensive garden is a notable part of the property. House and garden as a whole are listed on the Register of the National Estate.[3][4] The house also has a state heritage listing.[5]
Another notable home in the area is Tulkiyan, located on the Pacific Highway. This home was designed by Bertrand James Waterhouse, an architect who was popular for his residential work (he was also responsible for the design of Nutcote, the home of painter May Gibbs). He designed Tulkiyan in the Arts and Crafts style that he favoured in much of his work. Tulkiyan was built on part of a land grant that went back to 1823. The land changed hands many times until it was acquired by the Donaldson family, who commissioned Waterhouse to design the house. It stayed in the hands of the Donaldson family until 1994, when it was bequeathed to Ku-ring-gai Council. Tulkiyan has a state heritage listing.[6]
The Arts and Crafts style favoured by Waterhouse was just one of the styles that were part of the Federation period that went from 1890 to 1915. Other prominent styles were the Federation Queen Anne style -- the Australian version of the English Queen Anne style -- and the Federation Bungalow style. Some notable examples of the latter style can be seen in Nelson Street, Gordon. Other architects who favoured Federation styles were Walter Liberty Vernon and Howard Joseland.
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Federation bungalow, Nelson Street
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Federation house, Nelson Street
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Federation bungalow, Nelson Street
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Tulkiyan, designed by B.J.Waterhouse
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Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist
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[edit] References
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 33°45′26″S 151°08′57″E / 33.75732°S 151.14916°E / -33.75732; 151.14916
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