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Arcadia Vale is a peaceful suburb in the municipality of Lake Macquarie City. Arcadia Vale is located between the suburbs of Toronto and Morriset and is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie.

Name Origin
The name Arcadia Vale comes from Greek mythology and means "an ideal rustic paradise'. The Hely family originally from Rathmines, are believed to have bestowed this name. since there is another Arcadia in NSW, the post office department added "Vale" to avoid confusion. For a time it was also known as Kirkdale, after Joseph Kirk

Aboriginal Occupation
There was a campsite located at Arcadia Vale.

Early Land Grants
Portion 50 in Awaba Parish of 500 acres belonging to Thomas Brookswas first surveyed in December 1878.

Early Subdivision
D.P.12507 was declared on 23/10/1922. Consisting of Ilford Ave, Dartford Rd, Newark St, Arcadia St, Sherwood St, Brighton St, Eastcote Ave, Lemington Pkw, Todmorden St and Wrexham Circlet. Henry F. Halloran subdivided the old Brooks and Osborn estates as Arcadia and Buttaba Hills in 1922. It was a typical Halloran plan of curving streets and many small parks, influenced by the English "Garden City" movement and by Burley Griffin's Canberra plans. The water from was divided into boatshed sites and these sold first. Joseph Kirk of Cessnock bought the first at the end of llford Ave. As the other lots did not sell as readily, a bonus was added: either a boatshed site or a second lot on the hill went free with every lot sold.

Early Settlers
Macnamaras were the oldest permanent residents in the area, followed by the Guests and Lockwoods families. Harry Felton kept goats on the Buttaba Hills. The Chinese had a market garden by the creek in what is now a park off Ilford Ave. G. Hawkins had a sawmill nearby, approximately where Lisburn St joins Ilford Ave. The sale litho for Arcadia Estate contained a notice: "Special note to purchasers: timber procurable from G. Hawkins adjoining the estate". Hawkins built the shop near the jetty in 1922-3.

During the Depression of the 1930's many families moved into the boatsheds along the waterfront, especially out-of-work miners. The boatsheds were cheaper than renting a house and there were fish in the lake. Wells were dug for fresh water.

Early Industries
Hawkins' timber mill.

Early Transport
Ferries ran regularly to Toronto and Wangi from a long jetty beside Arcadia Reserve. Later a private bus service operated from the railway station at Toronto and a bus even ran to the steelworks at Mayfield for a time.

First Post Office
Opened 2 May 1949 and closed 31 January 1975. Christensens kept a post office store at the comer of Brooks St. after World War II. It was during this period that the name Kirkdale was used. Jim Christensen was President of the Progress Association which did much for the suburb.

First School
Public school opened in September, 1958.

Town
At the date of survey in 1878 Brooks' portion had improvements on it to the value of 15 pounds which included a house worth 10 pounds. His house was situated on the corner of present day Dartford Rd and llford Ave. Arcadia baths were built in 1959.

Today

Arcadia Vale is today a lovely lake side suburb with a balanced mix of families and lifestyles. With a great mix of building styles and types, Arcadia Vale is a sort after location.

Population

1518 (2006 census)

Established

1878

Postcode

2283

Location

14km (9 miles) ENE of Morriset

LGA

City of Lake Macquarie

Parish

Awaba

State District

Lake Macquarie

Federal Division

Charlton