Fitzroy Gardens - History

History

  • 1848 the Fitzroy Gardens were permanently reserved as public gardens, with title shared by the State Government and City of Melbourne. The gardens were known as Fitzroy Square until 1862, named after Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy, a governor of New South Wales.
  • 1857 James Sinclair appointed head gardener, and worked in the gardens until his death in 1881.
  • 1860 responsibility for Fitzroy Gardens taken over by the Lands Department. Clement Hodgkinson, the head of the Lands Department, takes a detailed interest in the planning and development of the city parks, including Fitroy Gardens.
  • 1862 Path network established and band pavilion built
  • 1864 Sinclair's Cottage and Small Tudor style gate keepers lodge built
  • 1873 Neo-classical rotunda "Temple of Winds" built
  • 1880 Removal of many Blue Gums
  • 1890 Every alternate Elm tree on Avenues removed
  • 1901 Nursery and stable yard transferred from centre of gardens to present site
  • 1908 timber style Kiosk opened
  • 1915 External picket fence replaced by stone edging
  • 1917 Control of gardens passed onto City of Melbourne
  • 1927 Plant Managers house built
  • 1930 Conservatory for displaying glass-house plants opened
  • 1934 Cook's Cottage erected after being bought, shipped to Australia, and donated by the Grimwade family. Artist Ola Cohn completes carving the Fairies Tree and donates it to the children of Melbourne.
  • 1960 Kiosk damaged by fire
  • 1960s Central section of creek piped underground
  • 1964 New kiosk opened
  • 1970s Eighteenth Century Cottage garden added to Cook's Cottage

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