Glimpses of Essendon’s
Rich History, today.

North Park Mansion, Essendon

Moonee Valley

Essendon and surrounding inner suburbs of Moonee Valley boast well restored elements of its rich history. Areas in Moonee Valley were first developed in the 19th and early 20th century where the extensive use of locally sourced bluestone (basalt) for features such as street kerbs and channel, and the paving of streets and laneways with bluestone pitches are still evident.

Where possible, Moonee Valley City Council has retained objects of heritage significance, and these can be seen around the municipality:

Early Street Signs
(affixed to buildings)

Little Princes Street, Travancore

Cast-iron Post Boxes

There are a number of these grand original cast iron Post Boxes still in service in Essendon and Moonee Ponds, proudly made in West Melbourne in the early 1900s.

Monuments and Statues

Queens Park boasts a Cenotaph and a collection of monuments honouring the memory of local residents who served our country in the South African War (1899-1902), World War 1 (1914-1918), World War 2 (1939-1945), and in Korea (1950-1953), Malaya (1948-1960), Borneo (1962-1966) and Vietnam (1962-1975)

Queens Park

Original park and garden layouts that include original entry gates, retaining walls and garden beds.

Water Troughs
(for horse driven transport)

Purchased by Council in 1931, this trough was originally located on the corner of Buckley Street & Clarinda Road, Essendon.  It is now displayed at the Essendon Historical Society.

Historic Cannons, Queens Park

Honouring the WW1 Essendon Rifles 58th Battalion

Harold Jones Band Rotunda

Officially opened on 18 February 1922, adjacent to the popular Boat House Restaurant on The Boulevard

Queens Park Curator’s Cottage

Built circa 1892
Refurbished in 1997, and a now a popular café

Clocktower Centre

Built in 1880 as the Mechanics Institute, this grand building was purchased by Council in 1884 and extended to include Council Chambers, Court House, Library and Grand Ballroom. Renamed Essendon Town Hall in 1886, and further renovated in 1914, 1941 and 1954, it is now The Clocktower Centre. 

There are many heritage precincts and places in and around Essendon.

Moonee Valley City Council have a Heritage Overlay in place to ultimately conserve the historic character of the area.

Moonee Valley City Council provides a free Heritage Advisor Service for owners of properties within a Heritage Overlay.
Whilst there is a common misconception that Heritage Overlays are problematic, it really is a privilege to own a property that falls under a Heritage Overlay!