Welcome to the birthplace of The Oaks (well, roughly).
Though the area had been inhabited by the Dharawal people long before colonisation, European settlement of this place can be traced to the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. Soon after arrival, the seven cattle brought on the Friendship escaped. In 1795 a large herd of wild cattle identified as their descendants were found by colonists, west of the Nepean River around an area since known as the Cowpastures. The Governors of the period, keen to protect the cattle as a food source, restricted movement in the area.
In 1802 a party led by government engineer Francis Barrallier attempted (unsuccessfully) to find a way from Sydney across the Blue Mountains via Burragorang. Barrallier gave the casuarina genus of trees it's common name when he wrote that 'she-oak' was the word his Gundungurra guides used for the trees.
In 1804 government botanist George Caley was tasked with attempting the mountain crossing, also without success. He mapped the land his party passed through and named this region 'Oaks' due to the large number of casuarinas here.
In 1805 John Macarthur was granted 5,000 acres of land of his choice by the British government's Colonial Secretary, Lord Camden. Macarthur had had a hostile relationship with the Governors of the colony and so chose land in the heart of the Cowpastures, naming it Camden. The Macarthurs significant agricultural ventures brought large numbers of convicts and free settlers to the region, establishing the town of Camden.
With colonial activity now extended into the Cowpastures, in 1813 Governor Macquarie established cattle stations at Cawdor, Brownlow Hill and The Oaks to protect the isolated parts of the herd. By 1826 most of the herd had been moved to Bathurst and the stations were closed.
In 1822 The Oaks was surveyed for land grants. Between 1823 and 1827 2,200 acres across the banks of Werriberri Creek were granted to former Cawdor cattle station superintendant John Henry Wild, and 2,400 acres to his son, John Benton Wild. John Henry Wild died in 1834 and his son inherited his land. After John Benton Wild's death in 1858, his widow released for sale 100 acres near the family homestead of Vanderville to create a private village of the same name.
Before the foundation of Vanderville, Oaks centred around a common of a size roughly bounded by Werriberri Creek, and the modern Russell Street, Timothy Lacey Lane, and William Street. In time, the Vanderville village and Oaks merged, as people moved to higher ground where the current town centre is located. In August 1895 the town was officially gazetted 'The Oaks'.
Strangely enough, there aren't many casuarinas in this part of town any more. But there is a nice healthy quercus which I'm guessing to be around 60 years old.
I encourage anyone interested in the history of the area to walk up the road to Dragons2010's Lacey's Lane- The Oaks History #1 and then head out of town to to Dragons2010's Vanderville- The Oaks History #3. Dragons2010 has many history-based caches including the Back To Burragorang and The Oaks History series'.
I further encourage the historically inclined to visit The Wollondilly Heritage Centre and Museum at 43 Edward Street. It is open weekends and and some public holidays, 10:00 - 14:30. Most of what is written above is based on their book The History of The Oaks from The Records and facts relayed to me by their researchers.
Finally, thanks to the excellent people who made this container for me, they know who they are.