Government Survey to Uralla's Heritage Buildings 

In 1849, the Government ordered a reserve be surveyed at the headwaters of the Rocky River, the area selected to be suitable for a new village.

Samuel McCrossin, in 1851, erected an accommodation house, stables and Inn within this reserve.

In 1855, streets were surveyed and the area named Uralla, the name given by the Anaiwan people to their land.

The new village of Uralla prospered in 1856, by the discovery of deep gold bearing leads within the nearby basaltic hills, as numerous allotments of land became available for purchase. 

The highway was relocated from Queen Street to Bridge Street.

Local hardwood, split, adzed, or pit-sawn into weatherboards, was used to construct buildings on foundations of adzed tree trunks.

They soon gave way, sometimes literally, to bricks, hand made form the clay of creek banks, and available basalt and granite. Cedar windows sashes and doors arrived by bullock dray from Maitland, and iron lace from the local foundry.

The railway came in 1882 and the settler population was approximately 380. The advent of the motor car made Armidale more accessible. Few new buildings were built for 40 years and Uralla's population remained at around one thousand, until the 1960's. Uralla's cheaper land and low rates enticed new buyers. By the 1970's newcomers recognised Uralla's quaint heritage buildings. Now the whole community and visitors, value Uralla's charm.

A Heritage Walk through the town heritage buildings makes for a fascinating couple of hours. Contact Uralla's Visitor Information Centre for a brochure.