In 1890 Charles McAlister purchased the land and it became became known as McAlister’s Estate. After an overseas trip, the family renamed their estate ‘Engadine’ after the Engadin Valley in Switzerland. The wildflowers in the valley here and surrounding national parks were reminiscent of the valley and hills in Engadin. Charles McAlister subdivided his land sometime after 1900. He continued to live in Engadine but later moved to Cronulla, where he died in 1915.
The real reason for the move was never explained by Charles, but rumours are it had to do with the disappearance of his grand daughter in late 1898. She went missing after their family spend the Sunday afternoon near the joining of Maandowie Creek and Loftus Creek. Bones of a young woman were found eleven years later in 1909 which were believed to be hers. Teeth marks were found on these bones which lead to believe that she was killed by carnivores.
Boys Town, in the western part of the suburb was modelled on an American Boys Town institution. The institution helps boys who have not been able to conform to the rules of society, regardless of their religious beliefs. It was founded in 1939 by Father Thomas Dunlea who was principal from 1939 to 1951.
In 1949 one of the boys under his supervision disappeared in the area between Fahy Creek and Loftus Creek. Despite several day long searches, the boy nor his body was found. Because of heavy impact this tragedy had on Father Dunlea he resigned two years later.
In early 2014, three teenagers playing near the small streams of Loftus Creek were interrupted by a scream and ran back to their parent's house. After several days they informed their parents on what happened and they alerted the police. A day long search revealed the mutilated body of 17 year told John Adams, who had ran away earlier that week from his parents home. Parts of his body were partly eaten away and his left foot was missing. An autopsy showed that the boy was killed by blood loss and the bite marks reflected carnivore markings.
These three disappearances might be related to the ever coming back stories about drop bears (Thylarctos Plummetus). People do believe that these carnivorous creatures are the size of a small leopard and that they drop from the camouflage of eucalyptus trees onto unsuspecting humans. Because of the expansion of the space humans use, the habitat of drop bears is getting smaller and as such these drop bears are now not as common as they used to be. According to previous studies, drop bears hunt by ambushing ground-dwelling animals from above. Once prey is within striking range, he says, the drop bear will plummet several metres out of the tree, skilfully latching onto the neck of its victim.
That is the story I wanted to share. Be very careful when walking through the bush near Loftus Creek as while the drop bears themselves haven't been seen, the area itself is still partly unmapped and the disappearances of the children has been real. If you find any evidence which can lead to a confirmed habitat of drop bears, please call the Australian Museum.