History of St Kilda

  • Pre 1802

    People of the Kulin Nation inhabited the area now known as St Kilda for between 40,000 to 60,000 years
  • English Navy Surveyor Describes Port Phillip Area

    Charles Grimes
  • First European Settler

    Benjamin Baxter granted first grazing lease (exact date unknown)
  • Point Ormond First Quarantine Station

    Scottish Immigrants held at Point Ormond
  • Period: to

    Gold Rush

    First housing crisis and economic boom
  • Railway Connects St Kilda to Melbourne

    St Kilda becomes popular place to live as white collar workers can commute
  • Woods Family Arrive In Port Phillip

  • First Town Hall Constructed

  • First Synagogue

    Beginning of a large Jewish influence in the area
  • St Kilda Football Club Formed

  • First State School

  • Period: to

    Economic/Land Boom

    Elwood Canal, Albert Park lake, Sea baths, prominent landmarks (churches, synagogues, Esplanade Hotel) all built in a period of immense wealth and change
  • St Kilda Park Primary School

  • Period: to

    Economic Depression

    The tale end of the gold rush results in a lack of economic opportunity and financial ruin for the upper class
  • Crown Lands Sold

    Beggining of further urban development
  • Luna Park

    Opening of Luna Park
  • Elwood State School Formed

  • Palais Theater Burnt Down

    Rebuilt by the 11th of November 1927
  • Period: to

    The Great Depression

    Increase in organised crime, substance abuse, homelessness. Production of flats outnumbers that of houses by 1000%
  • Arts and Population Boom

    Despite World War 2 artists flock to St Kilda as does the Jewish population
  • Period: to

    Population Growth

    Following WW2 St Kilda receives an influx of European refugees due to cheap housing yet fails to provide economic growth
  • St Kilda Marina Opened

  • Health Services

    Emphasis on health services particularly for underprivileged children
  • Elaine Miller Elected As First Female Mayor

  • Councilors Vow To Protect St Kilda From Over Development

    As well as encourage the arts and introduce public housing
  • End Of the City Of St Kilda

    City of Port Phillip formed
  • Period: to

    2000s to Now

    Period of extraordinary success as the housing market and economy sky rockets whilst health services struggle under additional pressure from growing population. Region becomes inhabited by affluent professionals rather than young artists in a great change in demographics
  • St Kilda City Under 19s Win Premiership

    First back to back in the clubs history