History of the area


This area of Auckland has a rich history which is very relevant today, as we strive to preserve the historical character of the area. We try here to give a brief history along with some photos which are from the Auckland Public Library collection.

Maori Settlement 1200 – 1700
The Maungawhau Pa was possibly built as early as 1200AD. The area from the mountain down almost to Dominion road was a closely populated area with an estimated population of 3000.
The main weakness of the Pa was the lack of a water source on the mountain itself. This was ultimately the downfall of the Pa. The Pa was destroyed in 1700, after which a tapu was placed on the mountain.

Early European Settlement 1840
In the early 1840’s Mt Eden was subdivided into 74 allotments along the main roads of Dominion, Mount Eden, and Normanby.
These were auctioned as Crown Grants, and were mostly 27 – 36 acres. After the auctions most of the land was resold within a short peiod, some of the land having been bought by land speculators.

1840 – 1880
Up until the 1870’s the area was predominantly farming. In 1868 the Mt Eden Highway Board was formed – the forerunner to the Mt Eden Borough Council. During the 1870’s many allotments were subdivided, with many of today’s roads being dedicated.
The first school in Mt Eden, at the corner of Mt Eden and Valley Rd, was opened in 1887. In 1879 the school shifted to its current site in Valley Rd.

1880-1890
During the 1880’s many residential sized allotments were created in the northern part of the area. Edmund Bell subdivided two allotments creating 41 sections, and dedicated the following roads: Raleigh; Bellwood; Marlborough; Cromwell; and Taupata.
In 1885 Charles Paice put in King Edward, Paice, Elizabeth, and Tanekaha. Also in 1885 the areas first Post Office was established at the corner of View Rd and Dominion Rd.
In 1886 Henry Hirst created 58 sections along Burnley Terrace.

1890-1900
In 1889 Gas lighting was provided on the roads.

1900-1910
1902 Electric Trams operate in the area.
1906 Mt Eden Bourough Council formed.
Subdivision of allotments in the south of the area continues.

1910-1920
End of farming in the area.

1950’s
Trams have operated in this area since the early 1900’s. Some of the following photos were taken from a book “Around Auckland by Tram in the 1950s” by Graham Stewart.
We are grateful to Mr Stewart for allowing us to use these photos.

Mt Eden prison, 1876
1876 – Mt Eden prison
Mt Eden Village, 1880's
1880’s – From Mt Eden – Mt Eden Rd, Stokes Rd, Oaklands Rd
Mt Eden View Rd, 1890's
View Rd in the 1890’s. Looking towards Mt Eden
MtEden Rd and Lovelock Ave
Mt Eden Rd and Lovelock Ave
MtEden Grocery store, 1890's
1890’s Grocery Store (Cnr Mt Eden and Esplanade Rds)
Dominion / Walters Rd, 1900's
1900’s – Dominion / Walters Rd
Looking south down Mt Eden, 1905
1905 – Looking South down Mt Eden Rd
Mt Eden Dominion / Valley Rd, early 1900's
Early 1900’s – Dominion / Valley Rd intersection
Mt Eden residential neighbourhood, early 1900's
Early 1900’s – Mt Eden residential neighbourhood was well established while Eden Park was still a swamp
Mt Eden tile factory, 1916
1916 Cowperthwaites Tile Factory – bottom of Disraeli St (current site of Nicholson Park)
Kingsland trams
Kingsland – “This was the outer tram terminus when the line was first opened in 1903. The district was originally known as Rocky Nook. A proposal to change the name Kingsland to Beverly Hills was rejected in 1938”
Sandringham Rd / New North Rd trams
Sandringham and New North Road intersection
Mt Eden Rd
Mt Eden Road
Eden Park tram loop
Eden Park – “In 1925 a tramway loop line was built at Eden Park which held 35 trams. On the day the loop opened, the Rugby Union advertised in The New Zealand Herald that trams would run at one-minute intervals from the city into the Park grounds. When the game finished, rugby fans were carried away from the park by trams in under 15 minutes.” The good old days!
Mt Eden established residential area, 1940. Eden Park as a near-green field

Sources:

Mount Eden Borough Council .
The Changing Face of Mt Eden 1989
Mount Eden Borough Council, Brent Mc Alister.
From Farms to Flats 1983
Mount Eden Borough Council, Hugh Oliver.
Land Ownership and Subdivision in Mount Eden 1840-1930 (1982)
Mount Eden Borough Council, E.C.Franklin.
Mount Eden’s First Hundred Years 1956
Grantham House Publishing, Graham Stewart
Around Auckland by Tram in the 1950’s
Auckland Council GeoMaps