Cessnock, NSW
DescriptionThe City of Cessnock is located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia. The approximate population is 23,000 people.
Vince Forbes (1894-1981) - Mineworker, Abermain No. 2 Colliery. Recorded 18 November 1981. Part 1/1.
Photographer: Barry Howard
The first land grant in Cessnock was made in 1829 to David Campbell, who chose the name Cessnock after Scotland’s Cessnock Castle. This was the same year that the Great Northern Road was connected to this area and in 1855 the Cessnock Hotel was built along it to serve as a resting point for travellers, as well as a place for meeting, polling and court cases in the town. During this time, the Cessnock had very few colonists and conflicts with bushrangers and the orinignal inhabitants, the Darkinjung people, were common. This did not deter people from farming tobacco, grain, grapes and potatoes. As early as the 1860’s wineries were being established in this region.
Cessnock is now the gateway to the vineyards at Pokolbin, Lovedale, Broke, Rothbury and nearby areas.
The Cessnock District Historical Society and the Cessnock City Library are excellent sources of information.
Sources: