Rosamond Street

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Rosamond Street is a road approximately 700 metres long with about 70 houses on it, in the suburb of Hornsby, Australia. The street is the home of Mt. Wilga Private Hospital, and Hornsby Rifle Range.

1 Early History
2 Marcus Clark
3 Origin of Name
4 Death of Clark
5 Present
6 Adjoining Roads

[edit] Early History

Rosamond Street existed on maps from the 1890's. Originally it was nothing more than an unsealed track heading nowhere. The surrounding area was a part of a large land tract purchased by a N.S.W. State member of Parliament, Samuel Gray, in 1859. Gray never lived on his land and upon his death it passed to various banks, finally to be sold on the open market in the 1890's. At this time there was a severe recession and it was difficult to sell property. Local real estate agent, Richardson and Wrench, sought buyers for lots in Rosamond Street from 1896 onwards. But it was not until 1912 that all original lots were sold off.

Rosamond Street is also the home of a manor, Mt. Wilga, which is a state heritage house from the early 1900s, built by Marcus Clark, a famous Sydney retailer. Rosamond Street also features three other local heritage sites, which can be dated back to 1909.

[edit] Marcus Clark

Marcus Clark built up a retailing empire in Sydney which continued until the 1960's. His department stores which bear his name were located in the CBD of Sydney, the headquarters being in Newtown in a building that Clark constructed known as The Hub. The Hub later became a prominent theatre in Newtown. Clark's real name was Henry Marcus Clark. He enjoyed using the name Marcus Clark and one may imagine there was some intentional confusion between Clark and the famous Australian author, Marcus Clarke (unrelated).

In 1907 Marcus Clark decided to build a winter home to complement his summer house in the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney. What is now Rosamond Street was the chosen site. Initially several lots were bought in the name of his wife, Georgina, which stretched across the valley to Sylvia Street.

Here Clark commissioned a suspension bridge to be built to provide a quick walkway high above the bushland valley. This suspension bridge stretched over 500 feet and survived across the valley until 1957. In that year bushfires destroyed the remaining wooden planks and made it completely unuseable. The suspension bridge was reputed to be the longest in the British Empire! Photographs survive today and may be viewed at Hornsby Shire Library in their on-line collection. The local history masterpiece A Touch of Ginger also records information about the brige and Mt. Wilga. Local interest groups have been discussing the possibility of rebuilding the suspension bridge with Hornsby Council.

Marcus Clark then proceeded to camp regularly on his property which had grown to 200 acres after subsequent purchases. His neighbours were the famous Higgins family of Hornsby valley. Clark built small shacks but was preparing to build his masterpiece, Mt Wilga Manor.

[edit] Origin of Name

The origin of the name "Rosamond" is unsure, but the origin of "Mt Wilga" is known. The word Wilga comes from the name of a small scrubby tree found in outback Australia. Clark had encountered these trees at a young age whilst trekking around the countryside.

[edit] Death of Clark

Mt Wilga Manor, was commenced in 1912. Tragically, Marcus Clark died before it was completed. His pregnant wife, Georgina, ensured its completion in 1913. She lived in the manor with her children until 1919 when she moved to Killara, Sydney, after suffering loneliness at Mt. Wilga.

In its heyday the Clarks employed two gardeners, a chauffer and some housekeepers at Mt. Wilga. The gardeners lived in cottages along Rosamond Street.

After the second world war, Mt. Wilga became a rehabilitation centre for returning soldiers. Since then it has been a rehabilitation hospital. It is currently NOT associated with the Mt. Wilga Private Hospital located next door.

[edit] Present

Mt. Wilga is owned by a development consortium which is building an 80 apartment retirement centre on the land behind the house. As a part of the project and, in line with State Heritage requirements, the manor has already been fully restored and the gardens will be returned to their former state heritage standard. A fine tribute to the Clarks.

Adjoining Rosamond Street is one of the best rifle ranges in New South Wales. It is the Hornsby Rifle Range which was established in 1896 to train troops for the Boer War. The rifle range is fully utilised today and comprises the shooting area and a number of adjoining club buildings.

The Mt. Wilga Private Hospital is located in Rosamond Street. It is operated by the Ramsay Health Care Group. It is a modern 77 bed hospital with two hydrotherapy pools and a gymnasium.

On February 28, 2007 work commenced by local contractors to reseal the surface of Rosamond Street to ensure the continued quality of this enduring boulevard.