All Historic

Swanson residents bought land after a statutory meeting on 11 December 1926 by raising money through selling shares in Swanson Hall Ltd. The total cost of land, building and preliminary expenses for the hall was £377 and the hall was completed by 23 May 1929. In 1945 the hall was taken over by the RNZAF for training and recreation purposes. The directors offered to sell the hall to the Waitemata County Council, but were turned down. A custodian was appointed to open, close and clean the hall and keep custody of the keys for 10s an evening when the main Read more [...]

– build 1939 – todo: why is there a bridge here ? [CHI 3417] [Auckland Regional Council Parks Service: Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland Management Plan April 1992] [Cameron, Hayward and Murdoch 1997: A Field Guide to Auckland]

– Build 1926 ? – Also known as DeVines, later Cassels – Named after nearby Cassels stream ? – Now only for pre-booked functions [Rugged Determination, p85]

– Build 1930s – Also site of largest Kauri in area [Rugged Determination, p158] [CHI 3424]

On 30 April 1895 a petition by 54 Swanson residents (see appendix in Rugged Determination p.165) was presented to the Commissioner of Crown Lands for five acres to be set aside for a cemetery. The land, gazetted in 1896, was situated a short way up what is now known as O’Neills Road. Trustees were appointed in 1897: John Moul, Edwin Freeman, William Hieatt, Lawrence Teirney, Herman Erikson and John Davey (secretary). A few months later, Anthony Christian submitted a tender for the supply of fence material for the site and a grant of £20 for fencing material was awarded. The Read more [...]

– aka “Henderson Gum Reserve’ – scheduled UID 260

Todo

– Heritage station building was originally from Avondale and brought here after a huge effort by the Swanson community.

Arty Strother ran a garage on this site for almost 30 years. After returning from World War II he bought a house (through the rehabilitation programme) next to the present garage and in 1947 accepted the offer of a job from Doug Mattson who had just built a new garage on the corner of Swanson and O’Neills Rd. After working there for six months he started his own business behind his house. He had started building a shed but before the roof went on he had received a big job for Judd & Harisson Carriers – the gearbox on Wally Read more [...]

– Build 1930’s ? – Art Deco Spanish Mission residence – Jim West’s home until bought by Real Estate firm – scheduled (UID 64)