Keysborough Local History
Keysborough is a suburb of Melbourne located in the southeastern part of the city. It is situated approximately 27 kilometers from the city center and is a part of the city of Greater Dandenong. The suburb of Keysborough has a population of around 25,000 according to the 2016 census.
The suburb was named after Richard Key, who was the original owner of the land on which the suburb is now situated. Key arrived in Melbourne in the early 1850s and purchased the land that is now Keysborough in 1856. He built a homestead on the property and planted orchards and gardens around it. After his death in 1870, the property was subdivided, and the land was sold in smaller plots.
During the 19th century, Keysborough was primarily a farming area, with orchards, vineyards, and market gardens dominating the landscape. Alongside the farming activities there were small scales industries like brick-making, timber mills, and blacksmithing. The suburb started to grow in the 20th century when the main road, Springvale Road, was sealed and made into a throughway to Dandenong.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Keysborough underwent significant development, and it became a residential suburb. As the city of Melbourne grew, Keysborough's population increased. Many families moved to this suburb, in search of a more relaxed lifestyle away from the city's hustle and bustle. During this growth period, numerous schools opened in the area to accommodate the growing population. Business activity started picking up, and shopping centers, car yards, motels, and fuel outlets sprang up along Springvale Road.
Keysborough has a rich cultural heritage, and many nationalities have contributed to its diverse community. One of the significant historical landmarks in the suburb is the Waverley Park estate. The estate was established in 1876 as the home of Sir Archibald Michie, a prominent lawyer and politician. Michie owned around 260 acres of land around the estate, which included a lake and extensive gardens. After Sir Michie's death, the estate was sold and converted into a golf club that hosted many important golfing tournaments throughout the years. In the late 1990s, the club was sold to make way for a new stadium and housing development, bringing the historic estate to an end.
In recent years, Keysborough has undergone significant changes that have transformed the area into a modern and vibrant suburb while still preserving its rich history. With a range of new housing developments, excellent schools, and shopping centers, it is an excellent place to live and work. It is also home to the headquarters of some of the largest automobile and engineering firms in Australia, providing employment opportunities for many locals.
Overall, Keysborough is a suburb that has successfully managed to blend its history with modernization, making it an attractive place for residents and visitors alike.