Originally inhabited by the Dharug Aboriginal people, Springwood was one of the first towns in the Blue Mountains to be settled following an expedition into the area by marine William Dawes in 1789. Located at the base of the mountain, Springwood would prove a popular stopover spot for explorers and travellers passing through the area. Following the successful crossing of the Blue Mountains by explorers Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Wentworth in 1813 Springwood was named by Governor Macquarie in 1815 to honour the lands abundant fresh water springs and plains skirted by trees.

In 1816 a military barracks would be built at Springwood to protect travellers across the mountain and would be the beginning of the development of a town in the area. With the military depot closed down by 1845, the gold rush that would follow had the town experiences a great number of travellers passing through the town as they headed across the ranges to the gold fields in the western plains. It would be the opening of the Springwood Railway station in 1857 linking the outer Sydney suburb of Penrith with the mountainside suburb of Wentworth Falls that would have residential development in the area increase and a small shopping strip formed around the railway station. Whilst there were few permanent residents in the area initially, the suburb attracted Sydney’s wealthy business owners who built grand country houses in the area as well as day trippers wishing to escape the pollution of the city.

Springwood has always enjoyed a particularly strong artistic community including acclaimed author and artist Norman Lindsay who lived in Springwood until his death in 1969. His home 'Faulconbridge' now operates as a gallery honouring Lindsay's art with the grounds of his home open to visitors wishing to view his salacious sculptures and paintings. With prestigious educational institutions located in Springwood including the Blue Mountains Grammar School, the area continues to attract residents wishing to live away from the city in the suburbs leafy World Heritage listed surrounds.

External Links

Springwood, part of the Blue Mountains Municipality

Norman Lindsay Gallery, Springwood

A Brief History of Springwood, Blue Mountains Historical Society

Salubrious Springwood

Suburbs of the Blue Mountains

A Historical Timeline of the Blue Mountains

Location:

SSC11925: Springwood

Longitude:

150.57075112

Latitude:

-33.701491646