Uncovering signs of the times

A historic trail to showcase Glenfield's fascinating past may be on the cards, reports Valerie Schuler
Name one thing that Glenfield is famous for. Rachel Hunter? Sure. Now name something else. Glenfield isn't the first place that springs to mind when you think "heritage", but that might soon change. The North Shore suburb has much more history than one would think. So much so the community board is considering installing a signposted history trail. Long term Glenfield resident Phillipa Templeton, who is working with the community board on the project, says many Aucklanders are unaware of the suburb's history. "It's always been considered the hinterland of the North Shore," she says. "Back in the day, before the harbour bridge was built, it took a long time to travel to Glenfield. No fire engines could get there and not many people wanted to live here. But there's an interesting history, one I am passionate about." So passionate that the Glenfield library archivist became the chairperson of the local historic society, founded in 2002. Newly elected community board chairman Nick Kearney says: "When I walk around other suburbs, there's notice boards, historic photographs and signage. We don't have that in Glenfield and we are really keen to create a community with history." "And that shouldn't be too difficult, as there's lots of it," adds Mrs Templeton. Prior to the 1950s, Glenfield was a small farming community. Many of its residents were strawberry or dairy farmers. It was considered a market garden to Auckland. The area's first school, Mayfield, was built in 1891. In fact, the suburb itself was called Mayfield until 1912, when it was changed to avoid confusion with a small Canterbury town. For many years, the school was also used as a place of worship. When the need for a proper church became evident in 1915, locals and helpers from nearby Birkenhead got together and built the Mission Hall in a single day. Work began on September 4 at 5.30am. By 6pm, the building was complete in every detail, including an ornate double gate and gate posts. The old Mission Hall still stands on Bentley Ave and is one of the places likely to sport a plaque denoting its historic significance. Other sites are likely to include the War Memorial Hall, Colin Wild House, the site of Mayfield School and Oruamo Estuary. But the historical plaques haven't been ordered just yet. The community board hopes to begin the project later this year but there is still no budget in place. "We are really looking forward to getting this off the ground," says Mr Kearney.