European History

The first crossing of the Blue Mountains occurred in 1813 and settlement of the region followed slowly after. A railway link was established between Sydney and Mt Victoria in 1868. In 1874 a platform was established in what is now Katoomba.

In 1879 John Britty North opened the Katoomba Coal Mine, and the town grew rapidly, as he also lobbied for a goverment school for the town.