1890

100 Years ago (1890), the Doncaster riding severed from the Shire of Bulleen and formed the Shire of Doncaster. 

Park Orchards which had been part of the Doncaster Riding was joined to the Warrandyte Riding. 

Two years later, in 1892, the Shire of Bulleen changed its name to the Shire of Templestowe.

The land boom of the 1880’s brought prosperity to the area.

In 1890, at Bulleen, George Smith built a two story mansion, Ben Nevis and in Templestowe his brother James commissioned Melbourne’s leading firm of architects, Reed and Barnes to build him a gentleman’s residence at the comer of Atkinsons Street. 

The Antimony Hill Gold Mining Company began large scale operations at the old mine in the area behind the present Templestowe high School.

In Doncaster, John Finger returned from Germany bringing pine tree seeds to plant as rows of Pine windbreaks around the Finger Land. 

Also in 1890, Richard Serpell built a two story red brick store at the corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Road.

Source: 1990 03 DTHS Newsletter