Double Bay takes its name from the bay of Sydney Harbour and refers to the two geographical formations between Point Piper and Darling Point, which are interrupted by a miniature point in between. The eastern part is also known as Blackburn Cove
Double Bay Circa 1890
Double Bay Market Gardens Circa 1814
Double Bay developed soon after initial European settlement in 1788. In the early years of the colony, Double Bay was used as shelter for fishermen who would regularly fish around the harbour.
In 1821 Gov. Lachlan Macquarie identified the bay as a future site for a Botanical Garden. The plans were meticulously prepared and marked out, although once Macquarie left Sydney, his successor, Major-General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, never finished the project.
A farm had developed and by 1814 it had increased to envelop the valleys leading into the area currently known as Woollahra, Bondi Junction, Bellevue Hill, and Point Piper.
In October 1834, Major Thomas Mitchell submitted a plan for the area to be made into a village of 31 lots, bounded by present day Ocean Avenue, New South Head Road, Bay Street and the harbour.
Double Bay Circa 1834
The land was auctioned off in 1835. At that stage, Double Bay had only five streets and was primarily a maritime village established to house working class families employed in in maritime activities such as shipbuilders and fisherman.
For decades, it remained a neglected sleepy hollow. It was not until after World War II that Double Bay began to develop into the exclusive address that it has become today.
Knox St, Double Bay, 1975
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