The broad expanse of the Nepean River and the towering Blue Mountains were challenging barriers for the early colonists of New South Wales. Once the river and mountains were conquered, the small settlement and government outpost on the bands of the Nepean grew into the bustling and thriving township of Penrith. On that splendid natural stage the story told in this book unfolds. Lorraine Stacker traces events and developments that have made Penrith the mature city it is today. In chronological order, with a wealth of detail, her book studies land use and settlement, civic amenities, local government and changing patternsof urban growth. It looks beyond Penrith, to all areas now within the City's municipal boundaries - reviewing the local history of places such as St. Marys and Emu Plains, that once progressed independently. Since 1988 - when the history of Penrith's formative epoch was published in Dharug & Dungaree - readers have longed for a book that would carry the story forward. This new book takes it into the 21st century, and includes an index to both volumes.

Includes information on Agnes Banks, Bringelly, Cambridge Park, Castlereagh, Colyton, Cranebrook, Emu Plains, Erskine Park, Hawkesbury, Kingswood, Lemongrove, Llandilo, Londonderry, Mulgoa, Nepean River, Oxley Park, Regentville, St Marys, Wallacia, Warragamba Dam, Werrington.

Acknowledgments -- Foreword -- Introduction -- ch. 1. To 1850 - an emerging free community -- ch. 2. 1850-1870 developing an urban heart -- ch. 3. 1871-1889 realising local aspirations -- ch. 4. 1890-1914 regional empowerment -- ch. 5. 1914-1929 memories of war -- ch. 6. 1930-1945 depression and global outlook -- ch. 7. 1945-1959 planning for a city -- ch. 8. 1960-2011 the makings of a regional city -- Chronology -- Bibliography -- Index. Includes bibliographical references (pages [433]-440) and index.