Local History

Suburbs Index

History of Killingworth

• Name Origin
• Early Land Grants
• Early Subdivisions
• Early Settlers
• Early Industries
• Railway
• First Post Office
• First School

Name Origin:

There is a Killingworth in England and one in Connecticut, U.S.A.

Early Land Grants:

Portion 34 (Teralba Parish) of 2560 acres granted to William Bucknell (deed issued to A.W. Scott). 6/12/1888. This property was called "Deega".

Early Subdivisions:

D.P.4339, 13/9/1901; formed by Wallace and Westcroft Streets, The Trongate and Killingworth Road. Part of portion 34.

Early Settlers:

Miners who came to work at Killingworth Colliery.

Early Industries:

Killingworth Colliery, also known as West Wallsend Extended, opened in 1892. In December 19 1 0 an explosion wrecked the mine but no lives were lost. It was closed for four years. During this time, in 1912, it was purchased by Caledonian Collieries. Like most mines, it closed during the Depression of the 1930's and re-opened when the war brought a demand for coal. Today it is owned by Coal & Allied and has been modernised.

Railway:

A private railway from Killingworth Collieryjoined the main northern line at Cockle Creek.

First Post Office:

Opened 1 August 1900.

First School:

Public School opened from July 1891 to December 1892. It resumed operations from May 1902 to March 1941.