Some events in the history of Ocean Grove:-
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 |
1854 | William Henry BONSEY bought Block 4, Section 22 in the Parish of Bellarine. Sale of allotments in subdivision called Kingston on the Sea (subdivision failed) |
1880 | Wesleyan Camp Meeting held at Point Lonsdale - the land owned by BONSEY identified as a suitable site for a permanent Camp Meeting location. |
1887 | Block 4, Section 22 purchased by James GRIGG and Charles JAMES, subdivided into 2217 lots which were promoted & sold to the Wesleyan community. A covenant was place on the entire subdivision banning alcohol. |
1887 | Coffee Palace built (later to be known as Ocean Grove House, Green Gables, The Chalet) |
1888 | Coffee Palace opened in January with a Camp Meeting and church service. Land sales continued throughout 1888. |
c.1888 | Connewarre House built (later to be known as Mafeking House, Embla Hotel, Cath-Kin) |
1888 | Wesleyan Church built by NIELSON & GUILLE |
1888 - 1891 | House & Corner Store built and run by Marcus GUILLE (later known as FOYSTER's, MENZIES', VERTIGAN's, SKINNER's, Ocean Grove Newsagency) |
1890 | School opened |
1896 | St Peter's Church built |
1910 | Public Hall relocated to Ocean Grove |
1924 | Grant's Lookout built & electricity came to the Grove |
1927 | Bridge over Barwon River built and Ocean Grove fishing fleet forced to move to Barwon Heads |
1936 | 25 Boathouses moved from Barwon Heads to Ocean Grove |
1950's | Post war immigration from Europe |
1958 | Ocean Grove proclaimed a township |
1969 | The Chalet (Coffee Palace) demolished |
1982 | Cath-Kin (Mafeking House) demolished |
1991 | Grant's Lookout demolished |
1991 - 92 | Public Hall demolished |