Lennox Bridge, Parramatta, 1836-1990

 

Lennox Bridge - Time Line
1790: July - Town of Rose Hill (later Parramatta) marked

1794: First (wooden) bridge over the river at Parramatta Constructed

1795: Wooden Bridge swept away by floodwater

1796: Second Bridge constructed of timber girders on stone piers erected on site of existing bridge.

1802: Two stone bridge piers replaced by timber trestles

1826: Second Bridge sustained further damage but repaired

1832: August 11 - David Lennox arrives in Sydney

1832: October - David Lennox appointed Sub-Inspector of Roads

1833: June – David Lennox appointed Superintendent of Bridges

1833: Lennox reported on deteriorating Condition of second bridge at Parramatta, submitting plans for a replacement structure

1835: July - Second Bridge reported to be in a very insecure state

1836: October 22 - Lennox announced that construction of a new stone bridge to be built alongside the old one would commence in about a fortnight

1836: November 23 - Foundation stone of a new bridge laid by Governor Bourke

1838: March - Bridge only half complete

1838: September - A section of the new bridge was first opened to traffic

1839: Stone arch bridge finally completed at a cost of 1797 pounds

1867: Bridge officially named "Lennox Bridge" by Parramatta Council in honour of its designer

1873: November - David Lennox died and was buried in Parramatta

1885: November - Plans were prepared for the construction of cantilevered foot way on either side of the bridge

1895: February - widening of bridge from 30 feet to 52 feet

1901 – 1902: Width of 10 feet of the stone arch was strengthened internally for the purposes of carrying the Parramatta-Castle Hill Tramway.

1902: August 18 - Tramway opened for traffic

1912: Parapet on the western side was removed and a continuous foot way 5'3" wide was added to the bridge

1932: Tramway Bridge was closed

1934 – 1935: Bridge was widened.

1976: Lennox Bridge classified by National Trust of Australia (NSW)

1989: December - Lennox Bridge entered on Australian Heritage Commission’s register

1990: February 21 - Lennox Bridge declared a “National Work” under Local Government Act

PARRAMATTA TIMELINE

 TIMELINE

1788: 24^th April 1788 Site of Rose Hill (Parramatta) chosen by Governor Phillip 

1789:  First wheat crop harvested at Rose Hill 

1789:  James Ruse established his farm

1790: 1st burial in St John’s Cemetery

1791:  Rose Hill renamed Parramatta

1793: Elizabeth Farm built

1799: Old Government House built

1810: 1^st Horse Race

1820: Military Barracks completed

1822: Agricultural Society established

1832: Old King’s School opened

1839: Lennox Bridge completed

1843: “Parramatta Chronicle” First Parramatta newspaper published

1860: Parramatta Fire Brigade established

1861: Parramatta incorporated as “Municipality”

1881: Council Chambers built

1883: Town Hall building completed

1900: First Motor Car Run

1938: Parramatta proclaimed as a “City”

1959: Parramatta Leagues Club opened

1961: David Jones store opened @ Church Street

1975: “Westfield” largest shopping complex in southern hemisphere

1978: Westmead Hospital opened

1988: Bicentenary of Parramatta’s foundation

1988: Riverside Theatre Complex opened

1993: Rivercat Service to Parramatta

1998: Parramatta Heritage Centre

2008: Opening of New Justice Precinct

2010: Old Governor House listed in “World Heritage List”