Some events in the history of Leopold :-
Pre-European Settlement | Area inhabited by Bengalat balug (Clan) of the Wathaurong Tribe |
1802 | First European explorers. January : Lieutenant John Murray April : Captain Matthew Flinders |
1803 - 1835 | William Buckley the first European living in the area |
1835 + | Area investigated and surveyed by Wedge and Gellibrand |
1836 + | Area occupied by squatters |
1845 | Frontage to Bay in private hands |
1851 | "Clevedon" Estate - Samuel Bawtree |
1852 | Kensington subdivision Connewarre Estate Church Services held in Brinsmeads & Barker Houses |
1854 | 1st April - 1st school at Kensington (denominational) |
1858 | 1st Post Office on Queenscliff Road |
1859 | Foundation stone of St Mark's Church of England |
1860 | Primitive Methodist Church on Melaluka Road - land given by Henry & Margaret Barker |
1862 | George Elliotts "Help Me Through The World" Hotel on Portarlington Road |
1869 | Thomas Sutterby School Correspondent applied for land for Common School |
1872 | Foundation stone laid for brick School - opened May 21st |
1872 | Leopold Pound on Melaluka Road |
1873 | Most land fenced - a good deal under crop |
1880 | Sons of Temperance Hall on Queenscliff Road |
1882 | Kensington, Moolap, Curlewis Free Library build - land given by G F Belcher |
1885 | Name changed to Leopold because of mail going to Kensington, Melbourne |
1885 | Post Office rebuilt after being destroyed by fire |
1886 | Leopold Rifle Club formed |
1892 | School name changed to Leopold |
1893 | Free Library burnt down - rebuilt same year |
1895 | Primitive Methodist Church destroyed by fire in March - rebuilt and re-opened in August the same year |
1900 | Primitive Methodist Church moved from Melaluka Road to top of Leopold Hill (present site) |
1900 | Independent Order of Rechabites & Benefit Lodge formed |
1904 | New Leopold School built |
1904 | Rifle Club formed |
1914 | ½ acre opposite school for new 4 roomed teacher's residence |
1914 | Leopold Red Cross formed |
1914 | Brass Band - conductor Robert Bowman |
1918 | Leopold Tennis Club formed |
1923 | Electricity connected to Leopold |
1923 | Moving pictures shown in Leopold Hall |
1927 | Mr Henry Barker given option on old Church block in Melaluka Road |
1930 | Extensions to Leopold Public Library |
1930 | Leopold & Wallington Fruit Growers Association - 1st show in Leopold Hall, July |
1948/49 | Leopold Cricket Club and Leopold Football Club formed |
1959 | Moolap Methodist Church moved from Whitehorse Road to Leopold Methodist Church site |
1966 | Post Office moved to Ash Road |