Cowra
John Merrin worked as a police officer in Cowra during the period 1873-1875 (from his children's birth records).
This is what Cowra was like during that time.
In 1845, a small bark hut on the banks of the Lachlan River, occupied by the pound-keeper William Best, was the only building in Cowra.
In 1857 the first permanent school was set up under the direction of Madame Rigaut. This was a school for adults and children.
By 1860, the population of Cowra was 120, with 25 houses, two or three stores, two churches (Catholic and Presbyterian) and four hotels. In 1862 the site of the present Cowra Public School was chosen, a school was built and classes began in 1865 (page 23 Cowra book). By 1863 the population of the town had grown to 193 people. (p.200 Almanac).
In 1870 the first Cowra bridge was constructed over the Lachlan River.
In 1872, trains brought the mail as far as Rydal and from there it was carried to Cowra by Cobb & Co. coach. The telegraph system was extended to Cowra in 1874 and in 1878 premises were rented for the telegraph and post office services which had previously been separate concerns. (page 24)
The railway did not come to Cowra until the 1880s (p28).
This is what Cowra was like during that time.
In 1845, a small bark hut on the banks of the Lachlan River, occupied by the pound-keeper William Best, was the only building in Cowra.
In 1857 the first permanent school was set up under the direction of Madame Rigaut. This was a school for adults and children.
By 1860, the population of Cowra was 120, with 25 houses, two or three stores, two churches (Catholic and Presbyterian) and four hotels. In 1862 the site of the present Cowra Public School was chosen, a school was built and classes began in 1865 (page 23 Cowra book). By 1863 the population of the town had grown to 193 people. (p.200 Almanac).
In 1870 the first Cowra bridge was constructed over the Lachlan River.
In 1872, trains brought the mail as far as Rydal and from there it was carried to Cowra by Cobb & Co. coach. The telegraph system was extended to Cowra in 1874 and in 1878 premises were rented for the telegraph and post office services which had previously been separate concerns. (page 24)
The railway did not come to Cowra until the 1880s (p28).
References
Roberson, A; Watmore, P. (1990). Pioneers, Family, Roots. Cowra.