History of the Central Coast District

History of the Central Coast District of Tasmania.

BRIEF HISTORY OF CENTRAL COAST

The three principal towns making up the Region are Ulverstone, Penguin & Forth.

ULVERSTONE - originally called Badger Plains & Cotton but assumed the names Leven & River Leven after the river which was probably named in the 1820's by explorers/surveyors from the Van Diemens Land Company.

PENGUIN - originally named Sulphur Creek because of the yellow stained rocks at the mouth of the creek, but due to an error on the early survey plan it was named Penguin Creek which actually applies to the present day Sulphur Creek ! One of the last coastal districts settled, possibly due to the lack of a river for a port.

FORTH - the river was named this as it was the fourth river along the North Coast from Port Dalrymple. The port here was known as Port Fenton - named after the first settler to the area. The inland river town now known as Forth was originally called Hamilton on Forth.

BRIEF CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

1839

James Fenton arrived at the Forth River to become the first permanent settler of the Central Coast District in 1840.

1840

Timber splitters came to the Leven Forests to begin what was to become one of Ulverstone's major industries.

1848

Andrew Risby took up permanent residence on the outskirts of Ulverstone, having settled at Forth in 1840/1. The first church services in Ulverstone were held at his home.

1852

First Ulverstone land sold to Alexander Clerke.

1854

"Ulverstone Store" opened at Ulverstone - by Hugh Ross McKay. This is the first recorded usage of the name Ulverstone.

1857

George McDonald opened the "Leven Inn" on the site of the present "River Arms" hotel in Ulverstone. A small settlement commenced at Sulphur Creek.

1861

Edward Beecraft purchased land at Penguin Creek.

For a more in-depth look at the history of each of these areas click on the Towns Below:

FORTH

ULVERSTONE

PENGUIN