The Twin Silos

Situated about two kilometres from the centre of Campbelltown are the iconic twin silos. They have been a landmark on Appin Road for many years, somehow surviving demolition when Appin Road was re-aligned and widened. The twin silos continue to stand proud and serve as a reminder of Campbelltown's rural past.

The land that the silos were built on was originally a 30 acre land grant given to James Haydon. He sold 28 acres of this to George Simpson in 1828. Simpson built a house on this land between 1828 and the early 1830s. The house was described in an early heritage study as being located at 302 Appin Road, having early colonial characteristics and stood very close to the old alignment of Appin Road. The walls were of stone and brick, stuccoed, windows were small paned, the front door had side lights, the verandah was stone flagged. The house passed through many hands until was eventually demolished in the 1970s.

A rear view of Simpson's Farm House, Appin Road. The house was demolished in the 1970s. (Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)

It is likely that the silos at Ambarvale were built under the unemployment relief scheme, or at least drew on guidelines and plans provided by the Department for the construction of concrete overhead silos under that scheme. Long time Campbelltown farmer Arch Walker said the twin silos were built in 1933 or 1934 while the Johnston family leased the property from Jeremiah Quirk. The size of the silos were built according to the size of the herd on the farm. This was about 50 to 60 head of cattle. The silos are about 7.7 metres high with each having a diameter of 4.7 metres. When full they could hold between 85 and 107 tonnes.

Silos were usually built in conjunction with or close to feeding stalls and other structures associated therewith, so it is possible that other structures, such as feeding stalls, barn or loft may have existed close to the site of the silos.

The silos as they appeared on Appin Road in the 1960s (Steve Roach Collection)


After the nearby farmhouse built by George Simpson was demolished in the mid 1970s, the silos were the only remaining structures on the land. A caption under a photograph of the silos from a 1977 edition of the Campbelltown-Ingleburn News describes the silos as finding a new lease of life and served as an advertising structure for the new suburb of Ambarvale. The caption also explained that the towers would be demolished to make way for the widening of Appin Road. The road was rebuilt in 1981 but the towers miraculously survived.

The silos in 1988 with the advertising hoarding still on them (C. Sullivan Collection)

There are moves under way to have further restoration work done on the towers. They are now under the responsibility of the Roads and Maritime Services.

The silos were chosen as the emblem for Ambarvale Public School.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

Williams, Wayne
History of Ambarvale
In Grist Mills Vol.22, No.3, Oct 2009 pp3-24

Campbelltown-Ingleburn News, June 7, 1977

Kerr, Rosemary
Heritage Assessment, Lot 1, D.P. 590591, Ambarvale "The Silos"

Epping Forest

In 1810, Governor Macquarie granted two adjoining 100 acre parcels of land to Matthew and John Kearns. It was on this grant that the property of Epping Forest was established. By the early 1820s the land had passed into the hands of William Kearns who was recorded as having lived there in 1823. A house was built shortly after in 1825. The property had improved to include orchards, grain crops and general dairy farming. This house still stands today and is known as Epping Forest.

Epping Forest is highly valuable in terms of heritage significance due to its early date and architectural quality. It is a rare example of a Georgian bungalow from the early colonial period, dating from the 1820s and built by Colonel Parker who had served in the East India Company. Its design reflects the influence of the Indian bungalow on the houses of this era.

The house is made of sand stock brick. It has a symmetrical facade, semi-circular fanlight above the front door, windows with fifteen small panes and solid shutters. The unusual hipped roof verandah is stone flagged, with turned wooden columns and a patterned balance board. There is a detached kitchen at the back of the house.

The property developed into a successful dairy farm and in 1896 a pure bred Ayrshire cattle stud was established by the Clark family. This stud continued until 1960 when it became a mixed herd dairying business.

Today Epping Forest is surrounded by the development of the suburb of Kearns. Attempts were made in 1975 by the Clark family to have the suburb of Kearns named Epping Forest. It was originally suggested that it should be called "Bunbury". 'Epping' means 'people of the lookout place', which possibly refers to an ancient hill fort on a ridge in Epping Forest, England. It was decided by the Geographical Names Board however that this name was too similar to the Sydney suburb of Epping and so the name of Kearns was settled on.

The house is today located in Mississippi Crescent, Kearns.

A sad accident occurred on the property in 1857. A four year old girl named Mary Cullen was struck and killed by a fallen branch from a tree that was being cut down by two farm workers. She was playing with another four year old who was hit by the same branch but not killed. Dr Bell from Campbelltown was called but was unsuccessful in saving Mary's life.

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

McGill, Jeff et al 1995
Campbelltown's Streets Suburbs: how and why they get their names
Campbelltown: Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society

'Epping Forest' 1999
Heritage Impact Assessment Proposed Subdivision

This photograph of Epping Forest homestead was taken in 1993 (Courtesy Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society)

Mossberry

Another wonderful building from Campbelltown's past that was demolished was "Mossberry". It was built on land that was originally granted to Robert Kable by Governor Macquarie in 1816. The land that "Mossberry" was built on later passed to the Warby family.

"Mossberry" consisted of a group of two buildings linked by a lattice breezeway, together with a timber shed. There was also an outbuilding which was believed to have been built by Kable around 1820. The main building was thought to have been built about 1840 and likely to have been constructed some five years after the first. It was a Georgian house with external walls of dressed stone which were later rendered and painted.

The lattice breezeway and the north east verandah to the main residence were added during the 1930's and used to link the living areas of the main house with the utilitarian areas located in the original residence.

The property passed from the Warby family to various owners up until the early 1990's. In 1993, an Interim Conservation Order was made on the building but because of constant vandalism, decay and neglect the house was seen as beyond restoration and was demolished. It was located at 15 Chamberlain Street.

                                                            "Mossberry" taken in 1977

Written by Andrew Allen

Sources:

KYDD, Ronald 1994
Heritage Report Mossberry
England & Kydd Pty Ltd

PB & EP Committee Meeting minutes 1993

Milton Park Homestead

For years this charming two storey house dominated the landscape between Ingleburn and Macquarie Fields. Built in 1882 by hotelier David Warby, Milton Park changed ownership and uses many times during its history. Why it was named Milton Park is unknown.

At one stage it had a rooftop garden, tennis court, private golf course and an orchard all surrounded by superb gardens. A large verandah once surrounded the house but was pulled down after it was purchased in 1937 by Allan Newmarch.

The property was purchased by the McGarvie Smith Institute in 1952. One interesting use for the property was as a poultry farm and model stud that covered 44 acres. The farm had accommodation for 2000 birds, 1500 of which were white leghorns, some prize-winners at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College.

The property continued to be used as a research laboratory by the McGarvie Institute until 1972 when it was sold to Cantua Pty Ltd., who then sold it to Campbelltown City Council. A large sporting complex that now adjoins the old house site is called Milton Park.

Photograph of Milton Park taken in 1981. (Verlie Fowler Collection)

Do you have any experiences of Milton Park homestead that you would like to share with us? Please click on the comments link.

Sources:

Liston, Carol
Campbelltown: The Bicentennial History
Campbelltown: Campbelltown City Council, 1988

"Milton Park" Pamphlet File, Campbelltown Library

Written by Andrew Allen