A Brief History of Moss Vale
Originally from MossVale.org.au
Moss Vale has provided Opportunities Galore since it was first explored in 1798.
Established as a town in 1861 Moss Vale was first settled in the 1830s with the establishment of Throsby Park by Charles Throsby who built the first grand residence outside of Sydney’s Cumberland Plains at Moss Vale – it still stands today and was owned by five generations of Throsbys.
In 1867 with the arrival of the railway Moss Vale really prospered and travel to the magnificent Southern Highlands was made easy.
The town was named Moss Vale after Jemmy Moss, a faithful servant of James Throsby.
Early settlers would have passed The Royal Oak Hotel which is now Briars Country Inn, a 4 star hotel accommodation and restaurant complex. Crossing the Wingecarribee River, Christ Church, the first church in the Highlands, still stands and features magnificent painted walls and stained glass windows. Many of our eminent pioneers are buried in its tranquil graveyard.
In the centre of town is the recently refurbished Leighton Gardens established in 1905 – a perfect picnic stop.
Today Moss Vale is a thriving community in a superb rural setting with a vibrant and rapidly growing commercial centre.
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