Heritage values
Springwood: Heritage values
Springwood is 74 kilometres west of Sydney and lies 371 m above sea level in the lower part of the Blue Mountains. The town is one of 26 towns and villages that make up the Blue Mountains City Council Local Government area. The census for 2006 revealed that 8210 people resided in the area.
Primarily, the village of Springwood is a one strip shopping centre adjacent to the railway and highway transport corridor. A diverse mix of small businesses complements the small village, which overlooks the National Park & the Blue Labyrinth, on its southern boundary. In fact, a spectacular view of the surrounding natural bushland can be enjoyed from the School of Arts Town Square. The square, the original site of the now-demolished Springwood School of Arts, is the central heart of the village and the starting point of a heritage walk. (See the photo at the bottom of the page, third from left).
The heritage of the village adds to its natural charms. Along Macquarie Road - the main street - are several heritage listed buildings such as the present railway station - built by John Whitton in 1884 - which replaced an earlier wooden building. (See the photo at the bottom of the page, far right). Opposite the station is the Royal Hotel built in 1881 by Thomas Boland who is recognised locally as the father of Springwood. Further along is the pretty sandstone Frazer Memorial Presbyterian Church (see photo above), which was erected in 1895 from funds supplied by businessman and benefactor John Frazer. At the eastern entrance to the village James Hunter Lawson built, in 1891, the Oriental Hotel (see photo left) and Braemar (see the photo at the bottom of the page, far left) and Danville the following year.
The beauty of the natural environment complements the heritage buildings and all contribute to a strong sense of place shared by the community. Similarly, residents of Springwood share a fondness for their Civic buildings. Since the 1960s, the Civic Centre has been the venue for numerous social events such as weddings, engagement and coming of age parties and the community Ivy Markets. Our aim is to keep our local economy strong and maintain the ambience and heritage of our village by objecting to large developments such as Woolworths/Coles.
