From the Archives, 1913: To be or not to be – Canberra, Myola, Southern Cross or Shakespeare?!

In 1855 John Gale of Queanbeyan rode across the Canberra Plains. Approaching the western slopes of Black Mountain, he ascended Kurrajong Hill (now known as Capital Hill) reigned in his horse and gazed across the widespread undulating plains, intersected by the Molonglo River. The scene prompted the thought that this was “an ideal site for a great city of the future.″⁣ Gale not only wrote about his vision, he continually told others of its favourable location. Fifty-eight years later the hill would be the spot where the foundation stones of Federated Australia’s Capital City were laid.