PENRITH
Penrith is the last (or first) of the
five ‘identity’ towns of Sydney; the others being Windsor, Richmond,
Parramatta and Campbelltown. Perhaps because of history these towns
have never believed they are part of the burbs of Sydney. Quite
amazing really.
But Penrith has succumbed totally to the developer hammer. Don’t look
for any heritage here. If there is heritage, that will have come by
accident.
Penrith was named after the town of Penrith in
England. One theory is that in the early days, development in Penrith
was entirely on one road, like the English Penrith, and someone
familiar with both spotted the similarity and suggested the name. The
earliest known written reference to the name Penrith dates back to
1819.
Watkin Tench was the first British explorer to visit
the area in 1789 and named the Nepean River after Lord Evan Nepean.
Initial settlement in the area was unplanned but substantial enough
for a courthouse to be established in 1817.
(since demolished). There are a few old buildings.   
The post office was established in 1828, the Anglican
Church, St Stephens,
was built in 1844. Really impressive.
Then
followed by the Catholic Church, St Nicholas of Myra, in 1850. (since
demolished)
The United is a modern building.
The first bridge was opened over the Nepean in 1856
and was washed away the following year in a flood. The railway line
was extended to Penrith in 1863, a school was established in 1865 and
in 1871 the area became a municipality.
The War Memorial is being upgraded and being renamed
to Memory Park (this is typical in Penrith)   
The Museum of Fire has no central signage and
unfortunately missed. The Printing Museum is within the trotting
track.
A couple of traditional pubs have survived, and this
is great to note.  
There is no need for the traveler to visit Penrith;
but that said a look at the finished War Memorial (sorry Memory Park)
may be worth the effort.
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