When was manly discovered

As such they called the place "Manly Cove". An early map shows a plan of a proposed township of Manly. Certainly the quiet waters of North Harbour would have afforded greater protection for the small boats that were the only link with Sydney during that period. Early s. Henry Gilbert Smith, an English businessman living in Sydney, saw that Manly - with an ocean beach on one side and fine sandy cove on the other - could provide a great "watering place" for the people of Sydney, as Brighton did for Londoners.

Smith had a pier constructed a little east of the Manly Wharf, the Pier Hotel was built and The Corso was cleared linking the harbour with the ocean beach.

By Henry Gilbert Smith did many other beneficial things for the new community, too, including donating land so that parks, churches, schools and other buildings could be established.

Manly was very much a village then and while many things have changed over the years, Manly is still affectionately referred to as 'The Village'.

Join Today. South Steyne Reserve Manly Info. Manly was visited and named by Captain Arthur Phillip at the same time as Sydney, between 21st and 23rd January, Captain Arthur Phillip was impressed with the confident and manly behaviour of the Aboriginal people of the Cannalgal and Kayimai clans who waded out to his boat in North Harbour when he was exploring Port Jackson in January He gave the name Manly Cove to the place where they first met but its exact location is uncertain.

Manly remained isolated for many years. The other route involved crossing the water by punts at North Sydney and The Spit. There was a very small population which was able to eke out a living from fishing or farming when Henry Gilbert Smith, the founder of the village, arrived in In June , Henry Gilbert Smith wrote to his brother in England "the amusement I derive in making my improvements in Manly is, no doubt, the cause of my greater enjoyment, in fact I never feel a dull day while there.

I should long ere this have been with you if it had not been for this hobby of mine, in thinking I am doing good in forming a village or watering place for the inhabitant of Sydney". He purchased large tracts of land with the vision of Manly, with its splendid ocean beach and sheltered sandy coves, becoming 'the favourite resort of the Colonists'.

He initiated a ferry service, built hotels and donated land for schools and churches. He also built a camera obscura, a maze and a stone kangaroo to attract visitors. He laid out a grand plan for Manly but changed this later to a more pragmatic design with smaller blocks of land.

Manly Council was incorporated as a local government body on 6th January You can either email or call to book a time. See titles available for purchase here. The staff at Manly, Dee Why and Mona Vale are available to help you with your local history research. Please email or call to book a time with them to discuss your needs. We welcome donations that relate directly to the history of our local area. Our collections are enriched by the addition of records of individuals, families, businesses and community groups who have lived or worked in the local area.

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