Local history
As the location of many significant historical buildings, sites and events, Merri-bek has a rich and interesting history.
Historic photographs
Online sources of historic local images.
History of Brunswick
Brunswick was an isolated rural community with a dirt track for a main road until the discovery of gold in 1851.
History of Coburg and Pascoe Vale
By 1849 there were 21 farms in the Coburg area and the 1850s were busy years for Pentridge Prison.
History of Fawkner
In 1850 early settler John Pascoe Fawkner bought a section of land, subdivided it into small farms, and called the place 'Box Forest'.
History of Glenroy
In 1939 Glenroy and Hadfield had only 210 buildings, then in the 1950s the population began to swell.
History of Pentridge Prison
With the closure of the Melbourne Gaol in 1926, all executions in Victoria were carried out at Pentridge Prison. The last man hanged there was Ronald Ryan in 1967.
Indigenous history of Merri-bek
The Woi wurrung people are the original inhabitants of Merri-bek. Merri Creek was a meeting place for the Woi wurrung and three other cultural language groups.
Merri-bek remembers WWI
World War I exhibition and research resources with a local focus.
Thematic history of Merri-bek
Our Thematic History is centred around aspects that have shaped the municipality, and provides a framework for identifying and assessing potential heritage places.