Maitland, a city located about a 45-minute drive from Newcastle, is also near the Hunter Valley vineyards, making it a rapidly-developing suburb.
However, there is more to Maitland than meets the eye. Below we explore seven of Maitland’s hidden histories:
1. Maitland Gaol
Founded in the 1840s, several dark stories about the prison.
Dead bodies from public hangings were often left about for hours after the prisoner’s death — at least until 1897 when accused-rapist Charles Hines became the last known person to be publicly hanged in the gaol. Ivan Milat, notoriously known as the backpack killer, was also held in one of Maitland Gaol’s high-security lots
The small opening overlooking his cell had to be welded closed since Milat had a habit of throwing body waste at prison guards.
2. Underground Vaults
Back in 2015, the Maitland City Heritage Group unveiled the secrets of underground basements found around the old Scobies Chambers.
The group’s discovery revealed the vaults were possibly used for growing mushrooms during World War II.
Liquor was stored at one end of the basement, while a nearby area was found to be a bomb shelter from the same era.
3. Stockade Hill Creek
Hunter Valley Ghost Tours paranormal expert Murray Byfield lists several Morpeth and East Maitland regions, including Stockade Hill, well known for their paranormal activities.
Some past Newcastle stockade runaway convicts who made it to Maitland lived to tell the horror of the creek awash with blood from nearby public hangings.
4. Black boy statue
Initially used to hitch horses, little was known about who the Maitland’s little black boy statue until 2009.
Then, American writer Waymon Lefall revealed the statue’s identity – Jocko Graves, who was 12 when he joined the American revolutionary war.
When General George Washington realized his horses could not cross the Delaware River, Jocko held the horses and waited for Washington’s regimen to return.
Jocko never let go of the reins even as he froze to death. His sacrifice led the troop to victory, and he was eventually honoured with the statue’s erection.
5. Backstreet Beauties
Maitland-based artist Holly McNamee takes pride in the beauty of the city’s backstreets.
In 2013, she contributed to the National Trust Heritage Festival with her artwork depicting Maitland’s backstreets and byways, many created after she personally knocked on doors, asking for homeowners’ permission to depict their property.
Among her favourite spots were certain parts of the Maitland hospital, now replaced with building extensions.
6. Unusual Sightings
From a photograph allegedly depicting a UFO to black panther sightings around the Maitland area, plenty of unusual sightings have occurred around Maitland.
According to one account, a yowie was discovered nearby, identified by distinct human-like feet impressions in the soil.
7. First Fleet Settlers
An aged headstone that tells a historical story can be found in Glebe Cemetery, located near St. Peter’s Anglican Church in East Maitland.
The grave belongs to James Trimby, the eldest son of a pioneer Maitland settler.
Trimby was first exiled from England to this foreign land as a punishment for stealing.
After he served his term, Trimby lived in Maitland as a free settler. The pioneer’s grave was not marked, however, until he was properly honored and reburied by the Hunter Valley’s Chapter of the Fellowship of First Fleeters in 2012.
Image: Pixabay Creative Commons CC0
