"Old Windsor Road at Wentworthville"; possibly the bridge over Cooper's Creek, on what is now Fulton Road, Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia, c1913

Prior to the building of the Cumberland Highway, which rearranged and caused much renaming of streets, Fulton Road was part of the Old Windsor Road.

 

Why is the bridge over Cooper Creek the most likely location? The Six Maps 1949 imaging shows a zig-zag around the corner of Darcy Rd and Brien's Road, which is very suggestive, but it's dead flat all around. The zig-zag approach was the way one went down into depressions and gullies. The 1949 image of the bridge over Coppers Creek shows a straight road, but that aerial photography was over three decades later — plenty of time to build up the approaches to the bridge and straighten the road. Indeed, there is this advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald on 16 May 1928 on page 11:

 

“TENDERS.

…

 

Blacktown. — Construction of two reinforced concrete bridges over Cooper's Creek and Toongabbie Creek, on the Old Windsor Road at Wentworthville. Separate tenders for each bridge. Plans at Council Chambers, Blacktown, and at the office of Main Roads Board, Sydney. Tenders close June 2.”

 

 

Photographed by Arthur Ernest Hezlet (c1861 - 1929) of Burwood, New South Wales. He occasionally wrote to the local newspaper about his car-trips (with his wife and chauffeur):

 

Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 12 March 1912, page 5

 

MOTORING TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.

 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

 

Sir,- Motorists visiting those districts are advised to try the following route, and so avoid the abominable Razorback:- After passing over bridge at western end of Campbelltown, turn to left up stiff hill, macadam surface, and then good road for 13 miles through Appin, one mile fair road to Broughton Pass. On reaching the bridge change into first speed to negotiate the stiff hill; from top of hill the road is very good through Wilton (under this village is the Nepean tunnel, which carries the water for Sydney). Six miles from Wilton is the bridge across the Nepean River. Care is required in the descent, for, although the surface and grade are good, the turns are short. First speed will be required for the ascent. One mile further the railway is crossed at Maldon platform; then proceed by the main south road towards Picton. Just beyond the goods yard turn to left (small shop at corner) over railway bridge; then bridge over the creek; at top of hill turn to left. Five miles out is bridge over Bargo River; then 20 miles over excellent road to Mitta-gong. Cars that are able to negotiate the Razorback will experience no difficulty over this route. I am, etc,

A. E. HEZLET.

Bowral, March 9

 

 

Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 20 April 1914, page 12

 

MOTORING. - A GOOD RUN.

 

Mr A E Hezlet made a good run on Wednesday in his car. He left Burwood and drove along the Parramatta, finding the road rough between Flemington and (Granville, and good thence through Parramatta to Baulkham Hills. From there to near Wilberforce it was in fair order, and likewise from Windsor to Richmond, to the Kurrajong, though very dusty near the last named place. The heavy rain had scoured the old Windsor road at Kellyville, and made it rather unpleasant. It was fairly good going on to Westmead thence to Burwood. The distance of the run was 99 miles. The highest speed attained was 40 miles, and the average 21.32 miles per hour.

 

See also

 

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15492350?searchTerm=ro...

 

 

Done