I wondered if anyone knows roughly what the Central Coasts population was c 1926 ? I had a wonder around the Bureau of State site but couldn't find any data that early. Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin

Hi MargM Being involved with the local Historical Centre has opened my eyes to new ways that information can be gained. With regard to the population in the Central Coast area if you happen to find one of the brochures that are tourist related for that time, normally you will find an estimate of population for the area. Example; 1967 Lake Macquarie Guide . printed by Lake Macquarie Shire Council. 'Many of the Shire's population of approximately 108,000 people, although residents of Lake Macquarie, are employed in industrial and commercial undertakings in Newcastle; thus enjoying the advantages of work in an industrial city and the peace and beauty which Nature gives their homes on the lake shores.' 'Belmont... Pleasantly situated on the Pacific Highway and the eastern bank of Lake Macquarie, 4 miles north of Swansea, is the thriving township of Belmont, with a population of 14,000.' 'Cardiff... One of the most thriving centres in Lake Macquarie Sire - both residentially and commercially - is Cardiff, with a population of approximately 20,000 situated on the Main Northern Railway line, 8 miles from Newcastle.' and in a different vein 'The cost of brick buildings range from $850 to $1000 per square, timber from $700 to $750.' Boy, let's go back 38 years and build a home. MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia

----- Original Message ----- From: "MargaretB" <mbergies@kooee.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 7:25 PM Subject: Re: [ANCC] Population c 1926 >> Hi MargaretB > . >> > 'The cost of brick buildings range from $850 to $1000 per > square, timber from $700 to $750.' > > Boy, let's go back 38 years and build a home. > > Yes with 2005 $s ! I was over at the Central Coast FHS Library last Saturday and one of our members was going thru a film of the Gosford Times newspaper for 1926 and I was doing some looking over her shoulder . I was intrigued by the number of shop ads for the large number of shops . We were wondering what the size of the population might have been to support so many and how did they get the goods to sell ?. Alot of frieght would have come up by rail . Only road access till 1945 was via Wisemans Ferry. So maybe the more bulky freight came up by sea ? Bye MargM Central Coast List Admin