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Hello , may i ask pls whats your gameplay style? what i would like to know is whether you are playing the game trying to be as close as you can in realism , using any cheat money (moolah), or are you playing without cheating and trying to build your city targets with patience? ...In other words , is it possible to build a RL city (as close as you can ) without cheating money?
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Looking for Guidance on Improving My City Builds' Realism
Kelly Gloria posted a topic in SimCity 4 General Discussion
Hello Everyone , Even though I'm new to SimCity, I've been having a great time creating and running my towns. But I've found that a lot of the amazing constructions published in this forum have a realistic touch that a lot of my cities lack. I would be grateful for any guidance and recommendations from more seasoned gamers on how to improve the authenticity of my city constructions. These are the particular places I'm having trouble with: Zoning & Layout: How should zoning be applied to provide a realistic and natural city layout? Do you employ any particular patterns or strategies for residential, commercial, or industrial zones? Road Networks: I've found it difficult to design effective and practical road networks. Which techniques work best for creating road layouts that resemble actual cities in both appearance and functionality? Public transit: Another area I could use some help with is efficiently integrating public transit. Which public transit systems function best in which kinds of cities, and in what ways might they be seamlessly integrated? Detailing and Aesthetics: Which important aspects do you emphasise to give your city a more realistic feel? Do you employ any particular mods, materials, or methods to up the realism factor? Growth & Development: How could you control your city's growth and development to make sure it changes in a way that makes sense over time? How can one strike a balance between growth and preserving a unified urban environment? https://steamcommunity.com/app/255710/discussions/0/3200366575422119924/ I would be very grateful for any guidance, materials, or case studies you could provide to assist me get better at creating cities. I'm also willing to consider suggestions for any essential plugins or mods that will improve the realistic feel of my creations. Thank you in advance. -
I've been playing SimCity 4 for a long time, and at this point, I already know how to build a self-sustaining city. Not exactly perfect, but enough to have good services and good budget as well. Now, it is a game, obviously, so I don't expect nor want it to be as hard as manging a city in real life! I just think it got a little too easy, even if taking that into consideration. The problem, for me, is clear: I've developed what is pretty much a fool-proof way of building a city, which will guarantee you'll get a sustainable metropolis in time, even in difficulty settings. I would like to know tips to make the game more challenging for me; if possible, tips that somewhat simulate real-life challenges for managing cities. It could be tips from different natures: 1- Already Existing Mods: maybe there are mods which increase the cost of something, or make it harder for you to do a certain task. Last time, I asked if it was possible to create a mod where it gets waay costlier to bulldoze RCI buildings, forcing you to adapt more to this situation. It is impractical to make such a mod, but the motivation is the same: taking away some of the liberties you have as a mayor to force you to adapt. 2- Suggest Custom Modifications: I have ILives Reader, I could try to modify myself the game files in order to do this. Maybe I could increase the negative impact taxes have on the mayor's popularity? As a side note, is it possible to add conditional checks to buildings which doesn't orginally have? By conditional checks, I mean things like requiring a certain mayor rating for Solar Plants, for example; could I add custom checks such as these for buildings which doesn't have them originally, such as Wind Power Plants, subways, recycling centers... in a way that would make the city development more challenging and possibly more realistic? 3- Gameplay Challenges: This here involves no change to the game files, only on the way how I play the game. Maybe I could set rules such as "I will only build a highway when I achieve a certain population", or "I won't set taxes higher than this value". In the end, I'm really looking for suggestions here about how to make the game feels more challenging and somewhat realistic when it comes to manage a city. Any tip is welcomed P.S. This mod follows the idea I'm looking for here. Any other tips to make the game harder and more realistic in termos of administration?
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This entry will cover progressive regional overviews at 10-year intervals, including regional development maps and traffic maps, regional development progress, and demographics. 1835 Region Overview: City tiles developed: 39 of 192. Population details: Residential: 69,266 Commercial: 13,188 Industrial: 63,113 1845 Region Overview: City tiles developed: of 192. Population details: Residential: Commercial: Industrial:
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Chapter 23: The Duplication Project - 1842 to 1843
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jul 1842: Disaster struck again at Peyton, when an overloaded freight train stacked high with timber from the Greenwood Group sawmill collided with a passenger service which had just departed Peyton Station headed for York. 46 passengers were killed in the incident, and a massive fire broke out, which spread to the nearby railway maintenance facility and destroyed several buildings. Thick smoke bellowed out across the skies of Peyton, however due to the swift actions of the local fire brigade, the blaze was brought under control within 24 hours. Governor Wright declared a national emergency and police were brought in to Peyton from across the region to lock down the disaster zone. Aug 1842: Following the rail disaster at Peyton, Governor Wright, after meeting with several rail safety experts, mandated the permanent separation of all freight and passenger services throughout the region. As most rail lines across the region served both purposes, this would require extensive works to duplicate these rail lines, maintaining one line for passenger services and a separate line for freight services. Discussions began with the rail owners, mainly Greenwood Group, Frankston Lumber, Westward Group and Silverton Steel, to plan the works and devise an appropriate funding scheme, as the duplication project would be a very expensive operation. Nov 1842: After months of discussions, an agreement was finally reached between the government and the private rail owners - all passenger services, stations and existing rail lines would be purchased by the government, and those funds would then be used by the private rail owners to construct the new freight lines. Thankfully, due to the new mine at Silverton, steel production costs had dropped significantly and the costs of duplicating the rail network were quite manageable for the private companies. Windsor Trains was established as the new government organisation which would manage all passenger rail services throughout the region. Dec 1842: Work commenced on the new freight lines across the region from Silverton to Peyton, Victoria to Peyton, Hudson to Portsmouth, Frankston to Portsmouth, and Frankston to Port Frankston. Jun 1843: After 6 months of construction, the duplication of the Silverton to Peyton and Frankston to Port Frankston lines was complete. These lines were the most simple to complete, as they were basically constructed adjacent to the existing rail lines without any major impacts to existing infrastructure. Works were still underway on the Frankston to Portsmouth line, as well as the other smaller lines from Hudson to Portsmouth and Victoria to Peyton. These lines required additional works including the construction of several viaduct structures at East Kewel, South Hudson and York to allow separated crossings of the passenger and freight rail lines. In addition to these works, Governor Wright took the opportunity to upgrade some of the busier passenger stations at South Hudson, Windsor, East Kewel, Peyton and York. A plan was also put in place to construct a new terminus at Victoria, at a more central location, as the current station was built in the heart of the industrial precinct and had been underutilised for many years. The old station was converted to a freight station, and construction of a new grand terminus began. Sep 1843: The duplication of the rail lines was finally completed across the region. The railway maintenance facility that had been partially destroyed in the fire at Peyton was also rebuilt to accommodate the increase in freight traffic from Greenwood's sawmill, as well as from the Silverton Mine and Maywether farming region. Windsor Trains set up their permanent headquarters at East Kewel, including a new maintenance facility for servicing the passenger trains. Dec 1843: Construction of the new grand terminus was completed at Victoria. It was by far the largest structure built in the region (almost twice the size of the new Windsor Station) and was designed to accommodate the expected future growth of the city, as Victoria had now begun to merge with the neighbouring towns of Peyton and York. The combined population of these three towns now exceeded 30,000 and forecasts expected strong growth over the coming years with the growing industrial area at Peyton, expanding farming regions of Doncaster, Maywether and Greysborough, and the vast availability of flat land for development. -
Chapter 22: The Big Paca - 1840 to 1842
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Aug 1840: Governor Oakwood's ten-year term comes to an end and King Richard II appoints Stanley Wright, a wealthy aristocrat and royalist from Wellington as the next Governor of Windsor. Keen to please the King, Governor Wright re-commences works on the Royal Palace on Governor's Island, and promises to have the residence ready for the 50th anniversary of the Colony in July of 1850. Dec 1840: Governor Wright moves the seat of government back to Windsor, however maintains the new Governor's House at Victoria as a second seat of government. The Governor's House at Windsor is expanded with new gardens, recreational facilities and a small private chapel. Apr 1841: A young alpaca farmer from the small town of Roxbury, who had recently opened up his farm to tourists wanting to feed and ride his alpacas, has a great business idea. Bobby "Paca" Oldfield purchases a small lot of land along the road from Elizabeth to Roxbury where he constructs a huge alpaca replica, which he calls "The Big Paca". He opens a small cafe and tourist centre, where he sells alpaca merchandise and tickets for his alpaca farm experience. "The Big Paca" is hugely popular with lines of people stretching all down the road. The small community of Oldfield is established around the site. Sep 1841: The regional population hits 100,000. With the increase in population across the Colony over the last 40 years, traffic volumes on the old roads had increased dramatically. As all roads were basic dirt paths (apart from the recent residential subdivisions around Windsor and Hudson), construction quality was poor and accidents were frequent, especially during wet weather. Governor Wright proposed a new requirement, that all new developments in the major towns would be required to use concrete pavement for their roads, and a program of replacing the dirt paths with concrete pavement in all major towns was announced. The program was planned to be completed over the next 10 years. Jan 1842: With the new mandated concrete pavement program in place, demand for concrete was higher than ever. Peterson's Concrete, one of the largest concrete producers in Windsor, expands their operations and establishes several new concrete batch plants all across the colony to meet the new demand. New industrial zones were established on the outskirts of the major towns where land was affordable and pollution would not affect local residents. The rail network was expanded locally to link the new industrial areas to the existing network and on to the ports. Apr 1842: After a year of success, Bobby Oldfield builds another Big Paca along the North-South route between Jefferson and Newport. The Big Paca brand becomes widely known across the Colony and Big Paca merchandise can be seen in all major towns across the region.-
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Chapter 21: Silverton Mine - 1838 to 1840
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Mar 1838: Ernest Silverton sets out on his own expedition into the Western Highlands to prospect for iron ore in the newly mapped mountain range. He sets his sights on four locations which he hopes to find rich deposits of iron ore and establish his own mine in the region. Currently, steel manufacturing was an expensive exercise as all iron ore had to be imported from Wellington and abroad, and profits were shrinking for Silverton Steel with the increase in import taxes and freight costs at the Westward's port at Portsmouth. Jul 1838: After three failed test sites, Ernest Silverton only had one more attempt to find his source of iron ore. After months of prospecting and at huge expense, Mr Silverton put all his hopes on this one last effort. As the drilling rig started to bore down into the side of the mountain, fragments of rich red rusty looking rock started to tumble towards Mr Silverton's feet. He picked up one of the rocks and jumped with excitement. His fourth attempt had been worthwhile and iron ore was indeed discovered. Ernest quickly submitted an application to purchase the lands around the mountain, before word of his discovery became widespread. His application was approved by Governor Oakwood and the remote land was purchased for pennies. Nov 1838: Sir George Harrington, first Governor of Windsor, passes away in his sleep at Harrington House at the age of 89. Governor Oakwood, and previous Governor's Gardener, Westward and Bowman, along with a long list of dignitaries, family and close friends attend his private funeral at Governor's House in Windsor. Sir Harrington's estate, including Harrington House and the surrounding lands were passed onto his only son Wallace Harrington. Unfortunately, the estate was just too large for Wallace to manage. Harrington House was sold to the government and turned into a public museum and park, and the surrounding lands sold off to developers. The new residential suburb of Harrington was established, and Wallace set his sights on a new venture. Mar 1839: Wallace Harrington purchases an island, which he names Harrington Island, just South of Rocky Point, with grand plans of creating the first island resort town in the Colony. A small marina is built and several villas, shops and even a small golf course are constructed around the marina. With his strong family connections and famous name, the island is a hit right from opening, and bookings for the resort are quickly filled up for the rest of the year. Aug 1839: After a year of construction, Silverton Mine was nearing completion, however the mine still required an efficient route to the ports and to Mr Silverton's manufacturing yard in Windsor. Currently only a dirt track winding through the mountains linked the mine to the nearest town of Aldridge, which would be unsuitable for large haulage vehicles transporting the smelted iron to Mr Silverton's manufacturing yard. A new railway was required. The new railway would head North-East towards the Port of Peyton, linking into the existing freight railway line at Greenwood. Mr Silverton took the opportunity to sell his old manufacturing yard at Kewel and purchase new land at Victoria to establish a much larger facility to expand his operations. Jan 1840: The railway from Peyton to the Silverton Mine was opened and the mine begins operation. The small town of Silverton is established around the mine to house the hundreds of new workers. A branch railway was also constructed to the larger farming community of Maywether and a freight station built to assist in transporting farming produce to the ports.-
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Chapter 20: The Western Highlands - 1836 to 1837
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Aug 1836: Until now, explorers had only ever mapped as far West as Lake George, which was presumed to be the source of the Victoria River. Charles Rossington (one of the original 10 explorers who helped map the Victoria River and found the settlement of Oakwood) looked to make a name for himself by setting out further West from Lake George. He had heard rumours of a much larger lake, which may prove to be the actual source of the Victoria River, however nobody had ever produced accurate maps of the region West of Lake George. Charles set out with a group of 5 from Oakwood on a planned year-long expedition to map as far inland as possible. Sep 1836: The forest and undergrowth was thick and the expedition was slow to progress, however after only a month of trekking, Charles spotted the rumoured great lake through the trees and gasped in awe of its size and beauty. He proclaimed Lake Victoria as the true source of the Victoria River and set about mapping its shores. He could see huge mountains in the distance, which he hoped would provide sweeping views of the distant lands, and enable him to produce the first ever birds-eye map of the region. Nov 1836: After 2 months of mapping, Lake Victoria was accurately depicted on the greater map of Windsor, and Charles and his team headed further West towards the mountains. Feb 1837: Charles Rossington is the first to reach the highest point in the Western Highlands Mountain Range. He names the peak Mount Rossington and spends time to create detailed maps of the entire region. In the distance he could see the ships sailing into Portsmouth and Peyton, the busy towns of Windsor and Hudson, and the sawmills at Frankston and Greenwood at work. He also pointed out Edward Island and Seal Island just off the coastline, and noted a more distant much larger island to the East across Victoria Bay. He sketched out the Windsor River as far as he could, as it wound its way West towards the mountains, marking down the key settlements of Albatross and Elizabeth Farm along the way. May 1837: Frankston's new railway and port were completed on time and within budget. The town of Wellington Bay saw strong growth with hundreds of new jobs being created for the new port and railway maintenance facility. The towns of Roxbury and Burton along the new railway line also saw strong growth, as residents from around the region started to move inland for cheaper property and larger lots, whilst still being able to commute to the new port for work. A school was opened at Roxbury to accommodate the needs of the growing town. Aug 1837: Charles Rossington returns to Oakwood with his team following his year-long expedition into the Western Highlands. His maps were sent to Governor Oakwood, who was also a keen explorer, and copies were displayed at the Hudson Colonial Museum for all to see. Farmers were also keen to view the maps, as the Western Highlands could allow new cool-climate crops to grow, which would not be possible at lower altitudes. Dec 1837: After the recent exploration of the Western Highlands, keen farmers from Greysborough and Maywether, looking to establish the first vineyards in the region for wine production, settle a small farming village West of Lake Victoria, which they name Rossington. Rossington Wines is established as a communal enterprise owned collectively by the original settlers of Rossington.-
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Chapter 19: The Frankston Line - 1835 to 1836
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Feb 1835: Frankston Lumber, after 17 years of operation, begins to seek out an alternative to using the Westward's railway line and port at Portsmouth, as production at the sawmill was strong and the Westwards had recently raised usage taxes for freight along their railway. The costs of establishing their own private port and railroad were measured against the ongoing usage of the current network, and it was calculated the new port and railway could be paid for within 10 years. This would secure the long-term profitability of the sawmill and provide additional business opportunities for Frankston Lumber. Planning for the ideal port location and railway route began. May 1835: After several months of planning, Frankston Lumber considered four possible options: 1) Establish a new port at Hudson, which would utilise some of the existing Frankston rail network heading north to save costs; 2) Establish a new port at Portsmouth and continue to use the Westward rail line to save costs on railway construction; 3) Establish a new port and railway to the South of Rocky Point, where land would be cheap; or 4) Establish a new port and railway to Wellington Bay. After considering the options, the most favourable and cost effective was to establish the new port near the town of Wellington Bay, as this would provide the port with a ready workforce and be simple to extend the nearby roads to connect the port for road freight. Land was also relatively cheap around Wellington Bay compared to land at Hudson and Portsmouth. Establishing a port South of Rocky Point was deemed too remote. It was expected that the new port and railroad would take 2 years to build. Two maintenance facilities would be constructed along the route, one at Roxbury and one at Wellington Bay to service the freight trains. Frankston Lumber partnered with TTSS (Total Train System Services), who were the O&M contractors for the maintenance facilities at Peyton for Greenwood Group, to provide the operating services and maintenance requirements for the new facilities. In addition to freight services, Frankston Lumber also wanted to take advantage of potential passenger traffic along the line for additional income. Four passenger stations would also be constructed along the new route including one at Frankston, as well as the small farming communities of Roxbury and Burton, and finally one at Wellington Bay. Sep 1835: With the predicted loss of income due to Frankston abandoning the Westward's railway line and port at Portsmouth, Henry Westward decided to purchase more lands around the port to subdivide for residential development. These homes would be owned by the port and rented out, mainly to factory and port workers, as an additional source of income for the Westward Group. Dec 1835: The regional population hits 80,000. Apr 1836: The Mannering Bridge (the only major bridge in the entire region) becomes somewhat of a tourist attraction. Residents of Mannering, seeking to benefit from the new tourism industry, set up new shops and cafes along a new shopping mall on the East side of the bridge, and the towns of Mannering and Albatross see a boost in their local economies. However, with the increase in tourism came a slight increase in crime. Pickpocketings were frequent, and so a small local police station was established in Mannering to deal with the uptick in crime.-
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Chapter 18: Seal Island - 1833 to 1834
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Sep 1833: As shipping traffic continued to grow in the region, a new lighthouse was required to guide ships sailing in from the South to the port at Portsmouth. The uninhabited (unless you count the local seal population) Seal Island, just to the East of Gardener's Bay, was chosen as the most appropriate location. The lighthouse, which would not be as grand as the Victoria Point lighthouse, was expected to be completed within a year. Dec 1833: The small town of Rocky Point was established further South down the coast from Wellington Bay. Only a ferry service provided access to the rest of the Colony. Apr 1834: The Seal Island lighthouse was completed and a small community was established around the lighthouse. Due to its relative isolation and small population, no public ferry access was provided to the outpost, so locals had to rely on their own private boats to travel back to the mainland. A small community gardens was also established on the island for locals to grow their own food - just watch out for those hungry seals! Jul 1834: Governor Oakwood, after nearly 30 years without a permanent roadway, proposed to finally link the settlement of Oakwood at Lake George to Victoria. A rough path had slowly been established over the years as visitors travelled to Oakwood for weekend getaways from Victoria, and the new roadway would follow that same path along the river bank. The settlement of Fenchurch just a year earlier, which was already linked by road to Victoria, provided the ideal starting location for the road. Works would commence at both ends and the road was expected to be completed by the end of the year. Nov 1834: The new road to Oakwood was opened and the small town of Westbridge was established along the route. A small statue to Rowan Oakwood was constructed at the intersection between the road to Oakwood and the road to Greysborough.-
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Chapter 17: Land for Ladies - 1831 to 1833
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Nov 1831: After settling into his new position, Governor Oakwood began to discover significant issues with the finances of the Colony. He uncovered huge amounts of debt had been amassed by his predecessor, which had primarily been used for the construction of the Mannering Bridge, North-South route, Royal Palace and gardens, and the monuments to King Archibald III. The Royal Palace and gardens project was put on hold and the new government worked through various solutions to remedy the troublesome budget situation. Jan 1832: In an effort to repay some of the debt and provide a quick cash boost to the government coffers, Governor Oakwood sold off large parcels of land to developers along the North bank of the Windsor River to the East of Newport, along the new road to Hudson, at South Hudson just West of the industrial area, as well as along the road to Mannering. Governor Oakwood knew this would only be a short-term fix, and further long-term solutions would be required. Mar 1832: Newman Developments jumps on the opportunity and purchases much of the newly opened up land around Windsor and Hudson. Alfred Newman partners with Norman Kewel to create some of the first major planned residential subdivisions in the Colony. The new suburbs of Newman, Normanfield, Alfred Park and Felicity Gardens, named after Alfred's wife, were established. The new subdivisions were the first in the Colony to use concrete paved roads, as dirt roads were becoming problematic with the increase in traffic in the larger towns. Kewel Cottages sprung up all across the development sites and Newman Developments and Kewel Industries generate record profits. Aug 1832: As part of Governor Oakwood's long-term solutions to the Colony's financial problems, various schemes were introduced which were aimed at promoting development in both rural and urban areas, in an attempt to stimulate economic growth, boost population, and increase the tax base to assist in budget recovery. One of which, the Land for Ladies grant, was designed to attract more women to the countryside and promote productivity in rural areas. The grant provided heavily subsidised land to single women looking to establish farms in inland areas. Nov 1832: The Land for Ladies grant was received well by the local population, however due to limited government funds, the scheme was restricted to a select few applicants. Governor Oakwood announced grants for six women - Emily Maywether, Susan Roxbury, Winifred Fenchurch, Germaine Pepperton, Isla Huntington and Penelope Aldridge. Feb 1833: The new farming settlements of Maywether (West of York), Roxbury (East of Frankston), Fenchurch (West of Weymouth), Pepperton (South of Wellington Bay), Huntington (West of Albatross), and Aldridge (West of Jefferson) were established by the six women under the grants. Jun 1833: Roads were laid between the new farming communities and the larger towns nearby, and more families began to move to the newly established settlements. -
Chapter 16: Shift of Government - 1830 to 1831
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Feb 1830: As traffic between the two major towns of Hudson and Windsor continued to grow at a rapid rate, a new more direct route was required, which would bypass the smaller towns of Elizabeth and Bailey. The new route would roughly follow the rail alignment, however slightly further North, which would cut travel time in half. Construction began from both sides and met at the new bridge crossing the Windsor Creek. A simple level bridge was constructed, as the creek was only used for recreational swimming and fishing. May 1830: West Windsor became heavily developed with a new residential precinct and commercial shopping areas constructed along the road. Development was also seen along the new road from Hudson, where a new commercial precinct was constructed along the riverside with a small pedestrian mall. Aug 1830: Governor Bowman's 10-year term as Governor of Windsor had come to an end. King Richard II asked Governor Bowman for advice regarding selecting his successor, as he had only been King for 4 years and was not heavily involved in the politics of the Colony. Governor Bowman could only recommend one man who was truly worthy to fulfil the role of Governor - the great Rowan Oakwood. The King accepted the recommendation and Rowan Oakwood was named the next Governor of Windsor. Nov 1830: Governor Oakwood, a proud resident of the Northern town of Victoria, proposed a radical idea - to shift the seat of Government from Windsor to Victoria. The town of Victoria was similar in size to Windsor, and residents felt as though they had been ignored by previous Governors, particularly with the large amount of recent government expenditure in Windsor for the royal palace and gardens. Governor Oakwood designated a large lot of land just on the outskirts of Victoria for construction of the new Governor's House. Jan 1831: The decision to shift the seat of government to Victoria caused property prices to rise right across the Northern towns of Victoria, Peyton and York. New developments were seen up and down the coastline, as well as along the old Victoria-Peyton road, and farmers were pushed further out towards Doncaster in the South and Greysborough in the West. Aug 1831: After just 9 months of construction, the new Governor's House was completed in Victoria. Governor Oakwood moved in with his family and the previous Governor's House in Windsor was retained as a weekend retreat. Oct 1831: The new museum and botanical gardens were completed at Hudson. Alfred Newman, who had wisely held on to the property he had purchased three years earlier, sold off his developments for 5 times the price. Newman Developments becomes one of the largest property development companies in the Colony.-
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Chapter 15: Newman Developments - 1828 to 1829
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Mar 1828: With the growing demand for freight services at the Westward's Port at Portsmouth, largely due to the success of Frankston Lumber, the port was expanded and additional rail yards were established around the port. A small workers camp was established near the port to provide accommodation to port workers, as travel from Windsor and nearby towns started to become more difficult with all the additional trucks on the road. Several shops were built and a recreational area with tennis courts and basketball for the workers to utilise during their time off work. Jun 1828: The early farmers at Victoria started to receive large offers for their land, which had become much more valuable to developers looking to profit from rezoning the areas to residential, commercial and industrial. Some held firm, however many were tempted to sell and set up new, much larger farms West of Victoria along the Victoria River at Greysborough. A small farming community was quickly established and a road leading back to Victoria was built. Oct 1828: The town of Hudson had seen steady growth, however not nearly as much as Windsor, Victoria and Peyton. The Governor decided that something needed to be done to encourage more settlers to the area. Governor Bowman had a vision for Hudson to become an educational hub for the Colony, and so declared a new educational precinct along the river where the region's first Museum would be constructed, along with a library, small botanical gardens filled with statues and picnic areas. The Museum would house important artefacts to the history of the Colony, including pieces of Mr Edward's original raft, the anchor from the Windsor, some foundation stones from the old Governor's House, and original maps from the first survey of the land. The Newman's farm was purchased, for a healthy sum, and surveyors set to work mapping out the new precinct. The project was set to be completed over the next 3 years. Apr 1829: Alfred Newman, with his newfound wealth, considered several options - should he purchase a new farm further out and continue farming potatoes, should he retire with his family and purchase a nice house overlooking Gardener's Bay, or perhaps move to Edward Island and enjoy the peace of isolation. After discussing options with his family, he decided on none of the above. He would instead form a new company - Newman Developments, and begin by purchasing neighbouring farms within the town of Hudson to subdivide and develop for a profit. Surely with the completion of the new educational precinct, demand for property at Hudson would skyrocket in the coming years. Dec 1829: Construction works on the new Royal Residence were much slower than anticipated, mostly due to foundation issues caused by the soft alluvial soils of Governor's Island. Additional foundation treatments were required, adding several years onto the major project, and of course at extra cost for the people of Windsor.-
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Chapter 14: A New Era - 1826 to 1827
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Feb 1826: The sad news of the death of King Archibald III at the grand old age of 85 had reached the Colony. Although not unexpected, Windsorians entered a period of mourning for their beloved King. Governor Bowman announced a new National Holiday - Kings Day - to commemorate the great achievements of the King, and ordered construction of a grand monument on Governor's Island. Smaller monuments were also built in the towns of Victoria, Peyton, Hudson and Gardener's Bay. Mar 1826: The first son of King Archibald III, Richard, was crowned King Richard II of Wellington. Governor Bowman, who had long been good friends with Richard, sent an invitation for the new King to visit the Colony, noting it would be a great opportunity to boost morale amongst the citizens and strengthen support (and of course funding) for the monarchy. Richard II accepted the invitation and planned to visit in the coming years, however a residence fit for a royal would of course be required. Jun 1826: Governor Bowman, partly through community funding and partly through government funding, ordered the construction of a grand palace on Governor's Island for the expected King's visit. A foundation stone was laid on the Eastern side of the island and work commenced on the royal residence and surrounding gardens. Completion was not expected for at least 10 years, however the Governor had mandated the residence be ready in time for the King's visit, so no expense was spared in expediting construction. Oct 1826: With the new North-South route well established, transit through the country town of York grew significantly. The mayor of York decided to zone a new commercial precinct with parks, plazas and a pedestrian mall lined with shops near the train station. The shops were leased out quickly and tourists flocked to York on the weekends for the antique shops and cafes. The local golf course also benefited from the increased tourism and the course was expanded. Feb 1827: Farms along the road from York to Peyton started to be sold off to developers, who subdivided them into small residential lots. Cheap housing, including many new prefabricated Kewel Cottages, was constructed and sold off as soon as they were built. Jul 1827: The regional population hits 50,000. Nov 1827: A record number of humpback whales was seen off the coast of Windsor. Residents of the isolated town of Richmond enjoyed the best views, however, as word spread of this ideal whale watching location, tourists flocked to the small town and soon a rough trail had been established between Richmond and nearby Sutton Bay. The residents of Richmond, looking to take advantage of the new tourism industry, opened up several small shops and cafes in the town.-
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Chapter 13: The North-South Route - 1824 to 1825
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jul 1824: Looking to build on his legacy as a Governor who would be remembered for his successful delivery of key infrastructure projects across the Colony, Governor Bowman sought to link the two major settlements of Windsor and Victoria by road. The two towns had grown significantly over the past 20 years, however the only mode of transport between the two was via local ferry services, which were struggling to keep up with demand. The services of revered pioneer explorer and civil engineer Rowan Oakwood were requested by Governor Bowman to map a North-South route between Victoria and Windsor. As the road from Victoria had already extended South to York, this was chosen as the starting location for the new road. The road would pass through uncharted territory South of York, through the hilly interior and terminate on the North bank of the Windsor River at Newport, where ferry services would provide the final link to Windsor. A future bridge would surely be needed, however funding did not allow for such a bridge at this point in time. Sep 1824: Construction began at both ends of the new road, with teams planning to meet at the Jefferson Creek, where a small bridge would be constructed to provide the final link. The road followed the topography of the land to minimise cut and fill requirements, which resulted in many bends and turns along the way. Apr 1825: After 6 month of construction the two teams eventually met at either side of the Jefferson Creek, and the bridge was constructed. The town of Jefferson was founded at the crossing, and a small monument and park was built to commemorate the opening of the new road and the achievements of Rowan Oakwood. Jun 1825: The small farming community of Doncaster was established along the new North-South route, just South of York. Several large farms were established, and a few small shops were built along the busy route. Oct 1825: A road soon branched out from the new North-South route to nearby Sutton Bay, and the small coastal community grew with the new influx of tourists, who were keen to experience the many gambling cafes which had been set up since the legalisation over 10 years ago. Dec 1825: The small farming town of Boxwood was established along the new road to Sutton Bay.- 3 Comments
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Chapter 12: The Road to Albatross - 1822 to 1824
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jul 1822: The frontier town of Albatross continued to grow along the Windsor River, as cheap land attracted new settlers from nearby Hudson and Windsor. The ferry services struggled to keep up with the demand, and so, as promised, a new road was proposed to link Albatross to the greater road network. There was, however, one slight problem. Albatross had been settled on the North bank of the Windsor River, whereas Hudson and Windsor were settled on the South bank. A bridge crossing the mighty river would be required. The services of experienced civil engineer and pioneer explorer Rowan Oakwood were requested by Governor Bowman. A meeting at the new Governor's residence in Windsor was convened and several options were discussed: 1) a bridge at Albatross with a road to Hudson along the South bank of the river; 2) a bridge at Hudson with a road along the North bank of the river; and 3) a bridge just north of Albatross with roads on either side linking the two towns. An open tender was sent out to local construction firms for the route of the new roadway and design of the bridge. One critical condition of the tender was that the new bridge must be designed so that ferry services remain un-interrupted during construction. Oct 1822: After receiving multiple tender submissions, ultimately the submission by Ernest Silverton of Silverton Steel was selected as the winning tender. Mr Silverton's design included a steel truss bridge, which he would pre-fabricate in short sections at his workshop in Kewel and transport by road to the bridge site, just to the north of Albatross. Locating the bridge away from the two towns would minimise costs associated with purchasing the land required for the large embankments for the new bridge approaches. The project was expected to be completed within 18 months. Jan 1823: The first section of road was completed between Hudson and the new bridge site to the West. A small worker's camp was established on the Hudson side of the river to house the construction workers, and earthworks for the large embankments commenced. Feb 1823: The second section of road was completed between Albatross and the new bridge site and earthworks commenced on the embankments. Jul 1823: After 6 months of construction, the bridge abutments on either side of the river were completed, and sections of pre-fabricated steel trusses began to be lifted into position. As fabrication of the trusses had commenced upon award of the tender, most sections had already been completed, saving time on the major construction project. Feb 1824: The final section of bridge deck was laid on the new steel truss bridge crossing the Windsor River two months earlier than expected. The new bridge was proudly opened by Governor Bowman, who had delivered on his promise, and an early completion bonus was awarded to Silverton Steel for their successful delivery of the project. Apr 1824: The small workers camp near the bridge formed a permanent settlement along the new route, named Mannering, in memory of Roger Mannering who had tragically lost his life during the construction of the bridge. The bridge was also named in his memory and The Roger Mannering memorial park was opened in the town.- 2 Comments
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Chapter 11: The Second Decade - 1820 to 1822
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Aug 1820: Governor Westward's 10 year term had come to an end, and King Archibald III, who was himself in quite old age at 79 years, was again required to select a new Governor for the Colony as his successor. The shortlist had grown significantly since the last selection process, with several local notable citizens being added to the list. Despite the list of strong local candidates, it was Captain Henry Bowman of the Albatross, a close friend of the King's first son Richard, who was ultimately selected. Governor Bowman, at his appointment, sold off his residence in the isolated community of Albatross, and moved into the new Governor's House in Windsor. He did however promise to provide a much needed road to the town at some stage during his term as Governor. Dec 1820: The small town of Burton was established along the new coastal route between Wellington Bay and Gardener's Bay. Large farms were established in the area as land was cheap and relatively flat. A few small shops were also built to service the new community, as well as those travelling between the two larger towns. Feb 1821: The small community on Edward Island was growing quickly and a school was built to service the needs of the residents. A small park with community gardens was also established on the island, as importing vegetables from the mainland could take several days, and was always unreliable. The popular community garden program was also adopted on the Eastern side of the island. Jun 1821: With the success of Frankston Lumber reaching Wellington, Frankston's main rival Greenwood Group decided it was time to establish itself in the new Colony. A meeting was arranged with Governor Bowman to discuss options regarding establishing their own sawmill in the Colony. Greenwood Group requested to purchase a large lot of land South-West of the small township of York. The proposal included a new railway linking the sawmill to the Port of Peyton, passing through York. Greenwood Group also offered to construct a new passenger station at York along the alignment, and a railway maintenance facility in Peyton to service the freight trains and provide even further employment opportunities to the local community. The Governor agreed to the deal, with the added requirement of a 50% National Park retention, as per the previous deal with Frankston Lumber. The second National Park is established in the region, named Greenwood National Park. Sep 1821: A small town is established near the Greenwood lumber yards, named Greenwood, and a small passenger railway station was constructed. Jan 1822: Construction of the new railway maintenance facility was completed at Peyton to service the new freight trains, and industry continues to boom in the area. Apr 1822: Greenwood Group set up their headquarters at the Port of Peyton, with a large plaza - Greenwood Plaza.-
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Chapter 10: Lucrative Lumber - 1818 to 1819
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jan 1818: A successful lumber company, Frankston Lumber, owned by wealthy businessman Boris Zimmerman from Wellington submits an application to Governor Westward to purchase a large lot of land to the South of Bailey to establish a sawmill, capable of processing up to 500 trees per day, to feed the desperate lumber shortage in Wellington. Governor Westward, keen to promote big business expansion within the Colony, is eager to please Mr Zimmerman. He understands the profits from this new sawmill will be significant, and so in turn for accepting the proposal, Frankston Lumber is requested to provide funding for new government offices in Windsor, including a new Governor's residence on Governor's Island, a central government banking office for the newly established Bank of Windsor to manage the growing finances of the Colony, and a community Town Hall and town square. In addition, Frankston Lumber is required to retain at least 50% of the land as habitat for the local wildlife. The small lumber town of Frankston is founded and Frankston National Park is listed as the first National Park in Windsor. Mar 1818: A new railway is constructed from the Frankston Lumber Yards up through Bailey and Elizabeth linking into the existing Westward rail network at Windsor. Although Frankston Lumber was required to pay for each freight service using the Westward rail network and port, it was still a much cheaper option at this early stage than constructing their own railway and port. A railway maintenance facility was also constructed at Elizabeth to service the new freight trains, and the town sees strong growth with the boost in jobs. A new industrial hub also grows around the maintenance facility, and a school is opened up for the growing community. Jul 1818: The regional population hits 30,000. Nov 1818: Frankston Lumber set up their headquarters in Windsor (the first multi-story office building), opposite the new Town Hall. The Westward family also set up their new office headquarters opposite Frankston Lumber in Windsor. Apr 1819: Victoria continued to see strong growth from the booming port trade in the harbour. Wealthier residents, looking to escape the smog caused by the expanding industrial area around the railway, started building their homes to the North of the town near the mouth of the Victoria River. The new suburb of Bayside was established with a new school, library and Church - St Archibald's. Sep 1819: Growth was also seen at Gardener's Bay along the coast both North and South of the original settlement, as the port at Portsmouth continued to see strong growth. The Northern suburbs were named Little Bay and the Southern suburbs named Cockle Cove.-
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Chapter 9: Regional Expansion - 1816 to 1817
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Mar 1816: The town of Windsor had reached a population of 10,000. With such a large population, the need for civil services was such that a public fire station and police station were constructed close to the centre of town. A new church and school were also established (St Margaret's) at the sprawling suburbs of Kewel. May 1816: The Westward family purchase a large plot of land further West along the Windsor River and establish a grand manor house there and a large farm. A jetty is also constructed to dock the Westward's private sailing ships. Several workers residences are also set up along the river to work on the new farm, and the new settlement is named Elizabeth Farm, after the Westward's first child. Aug 1816: The town of Hudson continues to grow along the relatively flat banks of the Windsor River, as the hilly interior terrain proves difficult for settlers. A new church is built named St Joseph's and a school is also opened. Dec 1816: The small fishing village of Weymouth is founded just North of Victoria, at the mouth of the Weymouth Creek. A small port is constructed for the fishing vessels to dock and also to allow travel to the larger towns of Victoria and Peyton, as no road connection existed. Apr 1817: The small outpost of Oakwood at Lake George was becoming a popular holiday destination for the nearby residents of Victoria and Peyton. A small jetty is constructed on the lake for recreational sailing and the community grows to 150. Unfortunately, due to the significant distance from the nearest major town, no permanent roadway was constructed - it will be a bumpy ride for some time to Oakwood. Aug 1817: A new settlement along the coast is established at the Southern edge of Victoria Bay, named Richmond. The community, consisting of mainly whale watching retirees, wishes to remain isolated so no roads or ferry services are provided.-
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Chapter 8: Arrival of the Albatross - 1814 to 1815
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Feb 1814: A group of 250 immigrants from Wellington arrive in Windsor aboard the Albatross. Governor Westward, looking to expand the colony further inland, requested they set sail further down the Windsor River and granted them new farmland at the narrow bend in the river. The small town of Albatross, named after their ship, was settled on the North bank of the Windsor River, and the immigrants adapted well to their new colonial lifestyle. Jun 1814: A port was constructed at Albatross, linking the town to Hudson and Windsor up-river, as no road connection existed that far inland. Aug 1814: The small settlement of Bailey, to the South of Hudson along the old Windsor-Hudson road, had seen slowing growth over the past year since the opening of the new railway between Hudson and Windsor. Keen to attract more settlers to the town, developers started to offer further amenities with their subdivisions, such as parks and community sporting facilities. Dec 1814: The Captain of the Albatross, Henry Bowman, who was granted a large plot of land at Albatross, constructs a moderate manor house surrounded by gardens along the river bank. Mar 1815: After 2 years of construction, the Point Victoria lighthouse was completed and a new coastal road was constructed linking the lighthouse to the small fishing and farming settlement of Long Beach. There was still no bridge crossing the Victoria River, so all movement was via local ferries. Jul 1815: The newly constructed lighthouse at Victoria Point allowed easier passage for ships sailing to the new Colony. The volume of new shipments was growing quickly and the old port at Peyton was struggling to keep up with demand. With funds from the import taxes, the old port was expanded and industry continued to grow at Peyton. Oct 1815: With the booming port and industrial area, new settlers flocked to Peyton, setting up residence all around the bay to take advantage of the ocean views overlooking Victoria Bay. Unfortunately, with booming industry came heavy pollution. Wealthier residents, looking for fresher air, started to move out to the small country town of York along the old Peyton-Victoria road. The wealthier residents banded together to fund a new private water supply, only for the benefit for participating fund members. They also funded a small private golf course, which was constructed on the riverside to the South of the town.-
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Chapter 7: Lighting the Way - 1812 to 1813
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jan 1812: The town of Hudson called for an extension of the railway from Windsor to assist in exporting its farming produce and link its new industrial area to the growing port at Portsmouth. Governor Westward, who had handed over complete control of Westward Enterprises to his wife Felicity Westward, to avoid any conflict of interest in his new role as Governor, considered the costs of government funding the extension. The cost analysis proved the extension would not be viable at this point in time, due to the much lower demand for the extension, as well as cost in constructing a new bridge over the Windsor Creek. Governor Westward did, however, agree to fund the extension 50/50 with Westward Enterprises, with the new railway to be used by both freight and passenger services to maximise its use. The deal was signed and work commenced on the extension of the railway, with completion expected within 12 months. May 1812: More settlers hear of the new township of Wellington Bay, and, looking for larger plots of land, they make their way down South along the coast. A new road is built between Gardener's Bay and Wellington Bay, and a ferry terminal is constructed linking Wellington Bay to the greater network. Aug 1812: The small community on Edward Island was looking for ways to attract more settlers. Natural growth was slow, so Peter Edwards proposed opening up the Eastern portion of the island for farming. New farms were established and sold off to settlers from the mainland. A few small settlements were built along the coast of the island, connected by the new coastal road. The centre of the island, however, remained difficult territory to pass, so was left untouched. Jan 1813: The new railway linking Windsor to Hudson was opened by Governor Westward. Three new passenger stations were opened (one at Hudson, one at Windsor, and one at Kewel), and a freight station at the new Hudson industrial area to the South of the town. Mar 1813: As the colony continued to grow, shipping routes to and from the ports became busier. Several ships had been shipwrecked over the last few years, which had cost the Colony greatly in terms of vital supplies and shipments. Governor Westward decided that a lighthouse should be constructed at the Northern entrance to Victoria Bay to guide the ships safely through the waterways. Point Victoria was chosen as the lighthouse location, and work commenced on the giant stone structure. Construction was expected to be completed within 2 years. Jul 1813: The small township of Sutton Bay (settled illegally just to the North of Windsor) continued to slowly grow with new arrivals from the larger towns in the region. However, as word spread of the settlement, Governor Westward requested the residents start paying taxes to the Colony. The locals refused and the standoff between the Governor and the residents became heated. The Governor sent in a brigade of soldiers to suppress the outlaws, however they fought back valiantly. Eventually, a stalemate emerged, and Governor Westward sat down at the table with the locals to discuss a way forward. The residents, who were keen to maintain their laid-back way of life, agreed to formally join the Colony and pay taxes with one condition - that gambling be allowed to continue in Sutton Bay, as this was strictly prohibited in the Charter of Windsor. The Governor agreed, and the legalisation of gambling for Sutton Bay was written into the Charter of Windsor as the first amendment. Nov 1813: The original wooden docks at Sutton Bay were upgraded to a larger dock, mostly funded through the newly legalised gambling profits, and a new ferry service was opened up, allowing easier travel to the other towns in the region. A permanent road had yet to be built to Sutton Bay, however the ferries seemed to provide sufficient transport for now.-
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Chapter 6: The First Decade - 1810 to 1811
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jul 1810: A decade has passed since the establishment of the Colony. The population had reached 15,321, with strong growth forecasts for the future. This milestone also coincided with the ending of Sir Harrington's 10 year appointment as Governor of Windsor. As a reward for his services and successful establishment and management of the Colony, King Archibald III ordered the construction of a large statue and square in his honour, as well as a Manor House with expansive gardens to be built along the banks of the Windsor River, where Sir Harrington could retire in luxury. The North bank of the river was chosen for the Manor House, so Sir Harrington could avoid the hustle and bustle of the growing town, but still be close enough to enjoy all the town had to offer - just a short trip across the river on his new private sailboat. Aug 1810: A new Governor was required to replace Sir Harrington to lead the Colony over the next 10 years. Several candidates were short-listed - Francis Gardener, as he had already held the position temporarily whilst Sir Harrington had returned to Windsor during the early years of the Colony; Henry Westward, the successful businessman and one of the original settlers of Windsor; Rowan Oakwood, the great civil engineer and pioneer Explorer who had mapped the Victoria River; and Norman Kewel, another successful businessman. After careful consideration, King Archibald III appointed Henry Westward as the second Governor of Windsor. Dec 1810: Governor Westward pledges to expand the rail services across the Colony, with the first new line to be constructed between the growing Northern towns of Victoria and Peyton. The line would have dual purposes, as both a freight and passenger service. Two routes are proposed - one directly between the two towns running along the coastline, and another route which passed through the inland town of York. As the population of York was barely 100, the cost of the second option far outweighed the economic benefits, and so the direct route was selected. A passenger and freight station would be built just South of the original settlement at Victoria, a passenger station in the centre of Peyton, as an offshoot from the main railway alignment, and a freight station and railway maintenance yard would be constructed at the industrial port of Peyton to service the trains. Apr 1811: Settlers, in search of larger plots of land and new farming opportunities, leave Windsor and travel South along the coastline. They pass the small township of Gardener's Bay, stock up on supplies, and head further South until they reach a suitable location at Wellington Bay. A small fishing and farming village is established, and a dock is constructed. Sep 1811: After just 9 months of construction, the new single track railway was opened between Victoria and Peyton. More land was zoned for industrial around the port of Peyton, as well as around the freight station at Victoria due to the surge in demand.-
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Chapter 5: Full Steam Ahead - 1808 to 1810
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
May 1808: As Windsor and the surrounding towns continued to grow, demand for manufactured goods began to increase. The huge expenses in importing these goods, along with the uncertainty of shipments from Wellington, led to local entrepreneurs establishing their own manufacturing plants around the Windsor docks. One of which, local businessman Norman Kewel, opens several factories where he produces prefabricated timber frames used for the construction of cheap housing. The business is hugely profitable, due to the abundant supply of cheap local hardwood which he collects from nearby farmers clearing their lands. Many houses are constructed around the area, aptly named Kewl Cottages, and the area becomes known as Kewel. Aug 1808: The land along the North bank of the Windsor River had so far been left untouched due to the difficulties faced in crossing the river. However, with the expansion of the Windsor docks at Kewel, a new private ferry service was established and opened up the first passenger service to cross the Windsor River. Settlers, seeking larger plots of land, started to make the move to Newport, just across the river from Governor's Island. Feb 1809: In the early hours of the morning, smoke was seen bellowing across the skies above Peyton. A huge fire had broken out at one of the old houses after one of the original settlers, Mr Peterman, decided to roast some marshmallows over an open fire on his enclosed verandah (it must have been too cold to use the firepit out the back!). Unfortunately for Mr Peterman, and his neighbour Mr Pitt, the efforts of the locals armed with only buckets to fight the fire were unsuccessful, and both houses were lost in the blaze. Following the Great Marshmallow Fire of Peyton, a small community fire station was established and provided with adequate supplies and funding by the Governor, to reduce the risk of such disasters reoccurring. Unfortunately, marshmallows were also never seen in Peyton again. Jul 1809: The Westward's port at Portsmouth had seen huge success over the first three years of operation, as ships preferred to dock at Portsmouth, saving time loading and unloading, rather than having to sail through the Windsor River to dock at Kewel. The dirt tracks linking the port to Windsor, however, were degrading rapidly due to overuse and heavy loads rutting out large sections. The Westward's, keen to improve efficiencies with supplying Windsor and the new industrial area at Kewel, propose to construct the Colony's first railroad. The railroad would be funded entirely by the Westward's and it was expected the taxes charged for using the private railway would pay for the investment in less than 5 years. The route chosen would run as direct as possible between the port and the new industrial area at Kewel, just North of Windsor. Work commences on the single track railway, with completion expected in just 12 months. Oct 1809: Deputy Governor Francis Gardener, looking to profit from his sizeable land grant, begins to subdivide some plots of land along the coast to entice developers to the area. New houses are constructed and several small shops open up. The population jumps from a mere 7 residents to over 250 in the space of a few short months. Jan 1810: Gardener Manor is built, overlooking the pristine waters of Gardener's Bay - mostly funded by the profits of the recent subdivision. A school is built for the local community and a dock is also constructed, to be mainly used by private ferry services, allowing easier travel to the other towns in the region. Jun 1810: The final section of track along the new Westward's private railway was laid 1 month earlier than expected. As expected, demand was strong right from the opening, and industry expands around Kewel, as well as at Portsmouth.-
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Chapter 4: Return of the Edwards - 1807 to 1808
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jan 1807: A small group of clergymen, hearing of this new Colony, sail into Victoria Bay to spread their gospel. They are welcomed by Governor Harrington and establish a church (St Vincent's) and a small community on the outskirts of the settlement of Victoria, along the Victoria-Peyton road. The Victoria and Peyton communities quickly embrace the new religion, and the Church receives substantial community donations. Apr 1807: With pockets full of gold, the Church, wishing to expand its presence in the new Colony, sends missionaries to the South to spread the gospel to the towns of Windsor and Hudson. Jul 1807: New churches are constructed at Windsor (St John's) and Hudson (St Michael's), and a church school is established at Windsor - the first school in the Colony. Dec 1807: After being banished from the colony over 6 years ago, to everyone's surprise, the Edwards return to Windsor - this time in a much more seaworthy boat. Their claim to Edward Island is recognised by Governor Harrington and, after hearing of the fertile soil and white sandy beaches, several settlers return with them back to the island and a small community grows. A port is also constructed on the West side of the island. Feb 1808: A new un-named ship of 80 settlers arrives in the Colony. Without wanting to pay taxes to the authorities, they study the maps to avoid the existing settlements and anchor just North of Windsor in a hidden inlet. The small farming and fishing village of Sutton Bay is established. The settlers construct a small port with local hardwood timber to dock their ship.-
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Chapter 3: Early Exploration - 1805 to 1806
Gandalf42 posted a City Journal entry in Windsor - A Natural Growth City Journal
Jan-Mar 1805: Small dirt tracks are established between the settlements of Victoria, York and Peyton, as travel between the towns becomes more frequent. A dirt track is also constructed from Windsor to Hudson, roughly following the river, and from Windsor towards the Western coastal settlement of Gardener's Bay. Apr 1805: Two small inns are built along the Windsor-Hudson route, Ye Olde Yankee Doodle just South of Hudson, and The Horse and Carriage, approximately mid-way along the road. Settlers from Hudson, looking for larger plots of land, move South along the new road and establish Bailey, a small farming community. Similarly, settlers from Windsor establish a small town around The Horse and Carriage named Elizabeth. Jul 1805: A group of 10 explorers, led by the great civil engineer Rowan Oakwood, are tasked with mapping the Victoria River, as earlier attempts by boat had proven impossible due to the shallow waters at low tide. They travel West on foot from Victoria along the banks of the Victoria River, however the dense forest and undergrowth proves difficult and the expedition is slow to progress. Sep 1805: After 6 long weeks, the explorers arrive at a large lake, which they believe is the source of the Victoria River. Unable (and unwilling) to travel any further, a small outpost named Oakwood is established on the shore of the lake, and the lake is named Lake George, after Rowan's father. The exploring party splits and Rowan Oakwood returns to Victoria with two others, whilst the remaining explorers choose to settle permanently at Oakwood. Nov 1805: The Westward family set up the first mechanic in Windsor, and another in Hudson to repair broken farm machinery. With no competition, the Westwards are able to monopolise the market and charge handsomely for their services. Jul 1806: The Westward family, having seen huge success in their venture, seek to mark their name into the new Colony's history. They set up the first private port at the mouth of the Windsor River. Henry Westward names the area Portsmouth, after his home town in Wellington. A small dirt track is constructed between the new port to link into the Windsor-Gardener's Bay route. Sep 1806: Farmers in the original settlement of Windsor seek larger lots of land to farm, as their original allotments provided were now far too small. New larger farms are established on the outskirts of Windsor, and some of the older farms are sold off to developers to be subdivided for new housing. The domestic market for real-estate is born.-
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