Suburb History
- Fairfield
- Girraween
- Granville
- Greystanes
- Guildford
- Holroyd
- Mays Hill
- Merrylands
- Parramatta
- Pemulwuy
- Pendle Hill
- Prospect
- Smithfield
- Toongabbie
- Wentworthville
- Westmead
- Woodpark
- Yennora
Westmead
The name of this suburb combines the old English word "mead" and "west" indicating its location just west of Parramatta. The present suburb of Westmead was originally the western part of the former domain of Government House at Parramatta. The remains of the domain are now Parramatta Park.
The name Westmead was not used until 1859 when the first part of the domain was subdivided. Subdivision of the domain was completed in 1889. Following this subdivision, orchards were established by many new settlers, including some whose names were well-known in the Parramatta area - George Oakes, Nat Payten and William Fullagar among them.
Although the railway had gone through Westmead in 1861, the suburb did not have a railway station. Early in 1883 residents successfully petitioned the Railways Department for a station and by April of that year Westmead became the newest station on the western line from Sydney.
Source: Frances Pollon: The Book of Sydney Suburbs, 1988.
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